The coat of arms of Uruguay was first adopted by law on March 19, 1829, by the General Constituent Assembly. Later on it had some minor modifications in 1906 and 1908. It was supposedly designed by Juan Manuel Besnes Irigoyen.

Description and meaning

It consists of an oval shield, which is divided into four equal sections and crowned by a rising golden sun, the Sun of May, symbolizing the rising of the Uruguayan nation and the May Revolution. The oval is surrounded by a laurel branch on the left and an olive one on the right, symbolising triumph and peace respectively, tied at the bottom by a light blue ribbon, the former uruguayan cockade.

In the upper left quarter there is a golden scale on a blue background, symbol of equality and justice.

The upper right quarter contains the Cerro de Montevideo (Montevideo Hill) with its fortress on top on a silver background, as a symbol of strength.

In the lower left, also on a silver background, there is a galloping black horse, symbolizing liberty.

The lower right quarter holds a golden ox on blue background, as a symbol of abundance and plenty.

Modifications

From 1829 the coat of arms was ornamented with multiple Uruguayan Flags on each side and weapons. The wreath was made of oak. In 1906 the design was simplified and standardized by law, eliminating all ornaments.

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File:Escudo El Nacional Uruguay.jpg

File:Escudo Uruguay El Nacional 1845.jpg

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Historical coats of arms

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File:Coat of Arms of the Oriental Province.svg|Coat of arms of the Oriental Province (1815-1817)

File:Sello de Armas de la República Oriental.png|Seal of the Oriental Province (1817)

File:Coat of arms of Uruguay (1829-1908).svg|Oriental State of Uruguay (1829-1906)

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Departamental shields

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File:Coat of arms of Artigas Department.svg|Artigas

File:Escudo de Canelones.svg|Canelones

File:Cerro Largo Department Coa.png|Cerro Largo

File:Escudo del Departamento de Colonia.svg|Colonia

File:Durazno Department Coa.png|Durazno

File:Flores Department Coa.png|Flores

File:Florida Department Coa.png|Florida

File:Lavalleja Department Coa.png|Lavalleja

File:Maldonado Department Coa.png|Maldonado

File:Escudo Montevideo.png|Montevideo

File:Paysandu Department Coa.png|Paysandú

File:Rio Negro Department Coa.png|Río Negro

File:Rivera Department Coa.png|Rivera

File:Coat of arms of Rocha Department.png|Rocha

File:Salto Department Coa.png|Salto

File:San Jose Department Coa.png|San José

File:Soriano Department Coa.png|Soriano

File:Tacuarembo Department Coa.png|Tacuarembó

File:Treinta y Tres Department Coa.png|Treinta y Tres

</gallery>

See also

  • Flag of Uruguay

References

Sources

  • Heraldry of the World: Uruguay
  • FlagsoftheWorld.com: Uruguay coat of arms