^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Juana Diaz (Puerto Rico)

Juana Díaz

(2:3)
by Blas Delgado, 16 November 2004

Overview
Coat of Arms

See also:

Other sites:

Flag Information - In Spanish

Overview

Flag adopted: 25 April 1978. The Coat of Arms has the symbols of the wards of the pueblo. On the Coat of Arms on the flag the name 'Jacagua'. Ciudad del Jacaguas is a nickname for the pueblo, after the name of an Indio and the river which flows through it. Juana Díaz was founded 1798; it is in south central Puerto Rico, just east of Ponce. There are 46,829 Juanadinos. see also image at <www.qsl.net>.
Jarig Bakker, 1 Febuary 2000

Juana Díaz - The white triangle is "Símbolo de La Plata", or literally 'symbol of silver' , making reference to La Plata River, the longest river in Puerto Rico.
Blas Delgado, 16 April 2001

Jacaguas is the name of the River of Juana Díaz. Jacaguax was the name of a Cacique Taino and the river has the name Jacaguas in honor of those Cacique.
Nelson L. Román, 7 July 2004

Coat of Arms

by Nelson L. Román, 4 July 2004

From <www.juanadiaz.org>:
The Four Castles - Represent that Juana Díaz reached the stature of city. Cities have five castles in their coat of arms, villages have four and smaller towns have three.
The Sun - Symbolizes a new horizon, hope in the formation of a town. The sun in the coat of arms has thirteen rays, each representing a ward of Juana Díaz.
Montains - Thirteen knolls stand out in the coat of arms symbolizing each of the thirteen wards or barrios of Juana Díaz. The mountains also symbolize that Juana Díaz has been one of the richest mineral towns in Puerto Rico. Juana Díaz produces high quality marble on a commercial scale.
Woman - Represents the name of the woman that gave foundations to the town - Mrs. Juana Díaz - with her hands the woman strews thirteen grains of corn into thirteen furrows, symbolizing the seeds that germinated and were the base for the foundation and growth of our town. The woman dresses as those of her time.
The Nazarene Cross - It is in the center of the coat of arms. It stands out subtly between furrows and space, symbolizing the union of two races by means of the inalienable bond of the Christian faith. The cross also simbolizes the western Christian culture.
The Harp and Quill Pen - The harp represents the music, the quill pen dipped in the ink well represents the verse, the poetry. Juana Díaz has generously given distinguished poets to Puerto Rican literature. Among these are Luis Lloréns Torres, Tomas Carrión Maduro, Luis Felipe Dessús, Josefina Lloréns Torres, Mario Braschi, Cesáreo Rosa Nieves, Arturo Gómez Costas and other contemporaries.
The Shackle and the Whip - Juana Díaz is known in history as the martyr of '87 because the most heinous, repressive institution known at the time was enforced in our town - "El Componte". It was in Juana Díaz where liberal politicians and dedicated patriots were martyred because they fought against the tyranny imposed by General Romualdo Palacios. Palacios was the most tyrannical and cruel of all the governors of our nation. "El Componte", a military tribunal, was used to quiet the rebel voices of those who loved law and order.
The Native Element - Represents the native who settled the village before the arrival of the white man. The native carries on his back thirteen sheathed arrows and a bow, and an arrow on his head. The bow and arrow represent the only effective means of defense useful for survival.
Ciudad del Jacaguas - This is the name by which Juana Díaz was known in the past. Many people knew Juana Díaz as the city of Jacaguas, but Luis Lloréns Torres dubbed it "La Versalles de Ponce" (Ponce's Versailles).
Nelson L. Román, 7 July 2004