Coat of arms of the Department of La Guajira

Details
Armiger	The Department of La Guajira
Adopted	November 29, 1966
Escutcheon	Quarterly: Vert, a one towered castle, Or, masoned and ajouré sable, Argent, a foil erect Or with hilt and pommel gules, fesswise addorsed arrows barbed and feathered sable, Vert, sun in his glory Or, Argent, a desert landscape proper.
Other elements	A bordure of peals argent.
Use	Official paperwork.

The coat of arms of the La Guajira was officially adopted by the Departamental Assembly Ordinance 028 of November 29, 1966 after the winning design of a public contest of pseudonymous contestant "Angel Cuervo". The coat of arms has subsequently been modified two occasions by the Ordinance 052 of 1994 and Ordinance 009 of March 10, 1998.

Design

The coat of arms of the Department of La Guajira is quarterly divided by four quarters sections of unequal proportions bordered by silver white pearls.

Elements and meanings of the coat of arms of La Guajira

The tower with its entrance and windows open, symbolizes the hospitality of the people.  The arrows represent the Indigenous peoples of the region. Represent peace as balance.  The sword or foil represents the legitimate right of the conquistadors that penetrated the region. Represents peace as justice.  The sun allures to the lack of jungle and the constant presence of the Sun over the whole region.  Cerro La Teta. The desert landscape represents the landscape of La Guajira and its two subregions, the highlands and the flatlands.  Pearls make reference to the rich natural resources of the peninsula.

See also

• Flag of the Department of La Guajira

References

• "Símbolos" (in (Spanish)). Gobernación de La Guajira. 2009-09-17. http://www.laguajira.gov.co/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=79. Retrieved 2009-12-20.