Cuba - Coat of Arms

Last modified: 2004-07-31 by dov gutterman
Keywords: cuba | star |
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from <www.periodico26.cu>

• National Coat of Arms
• Historical Coat of Arms
  • 1516 Coat of Arms
  • 1933 Coat of Arms (?)

See also:

• Cuba
• Cuba - Presidential Flag
• Cuba - Coat of Arms of the Provinces

National Coat of Arms

I got additional information from Embassy in Tokyo. coat of arms was adopted on 24 April 1906.
Nozomi Kariyasu , 13 November 1999

The official description of the coat of arms is the following:
"The National coat of arms represents our island. It is shaped like a pointed leather shield, and divided into three sections. In its horizontal upper part, there is a golden key between two mountains, and a sun rising over the sea - which symbolises the position of Cuba in the Gulf, between the two Americas, amidst the emergence of a new state. The blue and white stripes, down the left hand side, represent the situation of the island, in terms of its division into states, in the colonial period. Down the right hand side, a Cuban country scene is dominated by a royal palm tree - the symbol of the ubreakable character of the Cuban people."
The royal palm is the Cuba National Tree: "The National Tree: La Palma Real (The Royal Palm). Although it's present all over the Caribbean, it's everywhere at the Cuban country side. It's a source of wood and materials for rural construction, the same for hats, oil and other elements for the tobacco industry.  Because of its erect figure, bearing any difficult storm, it's the most respected, symbolizing the strong character of the Cuban people."
The National Flower is not related to the national symbols, but has some historical value: "The National Flower: La Mariposa Blanca (The White Butterfly), an endemic jasmine used by Cuban women during the independece war to transmit messages among the rebel forces. It's a symbol of purity, fight and independence. It grows in humid places, like river shores and lagoons. It could also be cultivated in gardens and backyards."
The National Bird, however, is flag-related: "The National Bird: El Tocororo (Priotelus temnurus). An endemic bird similar to a Quetzal, reproduces in its feathers the colors of the National Flag: red, blue and white. It's a symbol of freedom, because inside a cage it dies."
Source: Website of the Cuban embassy in Canada.
Ivan Sache, 13 August 2002

Historical Coat of Arms

1516 Coat of Arms

I found a nice tobacco silk (Clix Cigarettes) with a shield labeled Cuba. have any information on this?
Chris Kleinfelter, 7 August 2000

It is the first coat of arms of Cuba granted by King of Spain in 1516: Per fess, 1) Virgin Mary 2) St. Jacob horseback and three initials:"I" (queen Izabella), "F" (king Ferdinand), "C" (king and emperor Carlos)  
Victor Lomantsov, 12 August 2000

1933 Coat of Arms (?)

On <www.autentico.org> it seems to me that they refer to the 'authentical revolution of 1933'; several links have been provided with a coat of arms-like image, which I interpret as the old Cuban coat of arms.
Jarig Bakker, 20 December 1999