Coat of arms of Aruba

The Coat of arms of Aruba has been officially in use since November 15, 1955, as the recognized national symbol of Aruba.[1]

Coat of arms of Aruba
Versions
ArmigerAruba
Adopted1955
CrestA lion couchant Gules
BlazonQuartered by a cross Argent, the first Azure an aloe plant Or, the second Or the Hooiberg hill Vert issuant from barry wavy sea of Azure and Argent, the third Or two dexter hands Gules shaking each other fesswise, the fourth Gules an Argent cogwheel.
SupportersA pair of laurel branches Vert, tied at the bottom.

History

The Eilandenregeling Nederlandse Antillen (ERNA, English: Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles) established the autonomy of the various island territories in the Netherlands Antilles. The regulation was announced on March 3, 1951, by Royal Decree, four years before the Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles came into effect, and remained in force in modified form until the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved on October 10, 2010.[2]

On March 27, 1953, the Executive College of Aruba (Dutch: bestuurscollege) announced in the newspaper a competition to design a coat of arms for the island territory of Aruba. The College wanted to see an expression of the island's autonomy, following the political decentralization of the Dutch Antilles in accordance with the ERNA in 1954. Aruba was the first of the Netherlands Antilles to use a coat of arms.[3] The coat of arms was originally designed by the Atelier voor Heraldische Kunst (Studio for Heraldic Arts), located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[4] On this design, however, the Government of Aruba made two changes with the approval of the Studio for Heraldic Arts to make it even more reflective of Aruba's distinctive symbols.[5] These changes are in the first and second quarters of the coat of arms, namely a sun and the peak of Jamanota, were changed to the Aloe vera and Hooiberg, respectively.[6]

Blazon

The official description of the coat of arms:[1]

Shield: quartered by a cross Argent, the first Azure an aloe plant Or, the second Or the Hooiberg hill Vert issuant from barry wavy sea of Azure and Argent, the third Or two dexter hands Gules shaking each other fesswise, the fourth Gules an Argent cogwheel

Crest: a lion couchant Gules

Supporters: a pair of laurel branches Vert, tied at the bottom

Description

The coat of arms consists of seven main elements:[6]

  • The lion crest symbolizes power and generosity, qualities which are emphasized through the use of color.
  • A white Cross divides the shield into quarters, and representing devotion and faith.
    • The first quarter, depicts a flowering aloe plant, which is a symbol of the first source of well-being. It was also the island's first important export.[7]
    • Second quarter shows Hooiberg, Aruba's most recognizable and second-highest hill, representing Aruba rising out of the sea. The color green signifies the expression of joy for the autonomy obtained. The wavy lines depict our sea.
    • The third quarter depicts hands shaking, symbolizing Aruba's friendly relations with other nations and peoples in both the political and economic sectors. The color red symbolizes the values of generosity, modesty, and industriousness on which this connection is based.
    • The fourth quarter includes a cogwheel representing Aruba's industry as the most important source of livelihood.
  • Below the shield there are a pair of laurel branches tied at the bottom, which are traditional symbols of peace and friendship.

See also

References
  1. Overheid, Aruba (2020-11-03). "AB1991No.101". www.overheid.aw (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  2. Antillen, Nederlandse. "KONINKLIJK BESLUIT van 3 Maart 1951, houdende de eilandenregeling Nederlandse Antillen". lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  3. "Wapen van Aruba". Algemeen Handelsblad. 1955-11-29. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  4. "Wapen voor Aruba". De Telegraaf. 1953-07-15. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  5. "Gevonden in Delpher - Amigoe". www.delpher.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  6. Servicio Informativo di Aruba (1977-03-01). Nos Simbolonan di Union y Identidad (1977).
  7. Phalen, John H. (1981). "A Symbolic Analysis of Aruban Aloe: A View of Cultural Continuity and Change". Anthropos. 76 (1/2): 226–230. ISSN 0257-9774.
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