He Boyacá shield is the maximum heraldic representation of the Colombian department of the same name, Boyacá. The references to its Spanish and indigenous roots stand out.
The first shield that the city had dates to a few years after the independence of the country. However, it would undergo two notable changes before arriving at the current model of the Boyacá shield.
The version that today is recognized like official was created hardly in the year 1986. The same one had initiative in voice of the governor of the department for that time, who requested the heraldic creation to a renowned academic.
History
The first shield that used the now department of Boyacá was the third shield that represented the republic of Colombia, the first shield of the Great Colombia, which was in force from 1821 to 1830.
With the separation of this great state, New Granada would become the name of the Colombian territory, and the shield would undergo a slight change in where this name was reflected instead of the previous one.
For the year 1857 the Federal State of Boyacá is founded and assigned its own shield. This one has a classic Sevillian form and is divided in three stripes.
In the first strip (from bottom to top) you can see two ships separated by a piece of land; in the middle is a spearhead with a red cap, while in the last strip there are two horns full of wealth and food.
On the outside, to the sides, they show the ones that were the flag of Colombia and of Boyacá for the time. Towards the top, a yellow ribbon and a spike are held by an eagle. Everything inside a red oval, in which is inscription"Confederation Granadina - Federal State of Boyacá".
Four years later, in 1861, the shield would undergo certain modifications in the ornaments of its exterior. The state change of name, so where was the legend"Confederation Neogranadina"now read"United States of Colombia."
Likewise, Boyacá would become sovereign state and its flag was modified, changes that also are seen in this version of the blazon. The most relevant modification in this version has to be the choice of a condor to the detriment of the eagle. This shield would last until 1986.
In that year, Governor Alvaro Gonzalez Santana would ask the academic of the herald Gustavo Mateus Cortés a new shield design for Boyacá. It would reflect Boyacá's importance in the struggle for the independence of Colombia and America.
Meaning
The blazon has a circular shape and its edges are gold. In the center you can see the Boyacá Bridge, which was added as a tribute to its importance for the independence of Colombia.
In the background, they erect mountains and a sun behind them. The mountains recall the site of the battle of Boyacá and the shining sun shines with the victory of the liberators.
A crown adorns the upper part of the coat-of-arms; this is a graphic representation of the one used by the natives to venerate the chiefs of tribes.
The eagle returns, this time as a frame of the image and not as ornament. This animal is a tribute to the Spanish roots, as it was widely used by Catholic kings.
Near the claws of the eagle is a ribbon with the legend"Independence 7 of August of 1819"; a statement that ends by stating the importance of Boyacá as the city where the battle that sealed freedom was fought.
References
- Alvarez de Huertas, R. A., & Gómez de Monroy, H. E. (2003). Cartilla de Boyacá: geography, history and culture. Boyacá Academy of History.
- Cortes, G. M. (1995). Tunja: historical guide to art and architecture. Boyacá: Gumaco Ediciones.
- [Links] Ceremoniales: Celebrations and nation.: Bogota: a stage. Bogotá: Intercultura Colombia.
- Ocampo López, J. (1997). Identity of Boyacá. Ministry of Education of Boyacá: Boyacá.
- Ocampo López, J. (2001). The imaginary in Boyacá: the identity of the boyacense people and its projection in the regional symbology. Boyacá: District University"Francisco José de Caldas".