por He guanajuato shield It is one of the symbols of this Mexican entity, whose main element is the image of Santa Fe de la Granada, which was originally placed when it was not yet an independent city, but rather a Spanish colony.
Currently, it is said that it symbolizes their faith, but the truth is that its original meaning was the victory of the Catholic Monarchs over the Muslims. King Felipe V of Spain was responsible for the constitution of this shield and the original motto of the city of Guanajuato.
Said motto reads: «Very Noble and Loyal City of Santa Fe de Guanajuato». This has undergone changes over time, until it remains as it is today: «For the peace of the fallen, who have given us an independent homeland.»
History of the shield
The city of Guanajuato owes its name of Ciudad de Santa Fe de Minas de Guanajuato to King Felipe V, who signed it as an official name on December 8, 1741.
The elements used in his coat of arms were placed taking into account the king’s perception of the city of Guanajuato.
In the title of the city (Guanajuato document), Felipe V recorded that the people who were in command after him would also have to call this city by its name, and recognize the coat of arms as the official one for the entire region.
There have been no modifications since the creation of this shield. Currently, although it is not the official shield, since there are no decrees or laws that provide for it, its use is official and as such it is present in government agencies and as a representative symbol of the city of Guanajuato.
Meaning of the shield
The Guanajuato shield contains a lot of history and values adopted since colonial times.
At its base you can see some laurel leaves holding a shell, which symbolize strength and victories in battle. In turn they are linked by a blue ribbon.
The gold field that can be seen represents the riches in precious metals of the region, but also the nobility and purity of feelings.
The Santa Fe de la Granada, located in the middle of the shield, symbolizes the victory that took place in 1492. This year the expulsion of the Muslims from Spain took place, the date on which the Catholic Monarchs triumphed over the Arabs, and they had to leave the peninsula iberian.
The Spaniards always added some element that would leave their lordship high, and in this case it is the support or finish that adorns the shield, and the crown located at the top.
The element of the acanthus leaves represents fidelity, as a fundamental value of the inhabitants of the city.
References
Guanajuato. Retrieved from files.juridicas.unam.mx.
The Veins of Silver in the History of Mexico. Enrique Canudas Sandoval.