Coat of arms of San Marino
Encyclopedia
The coat of arms
of San Marino
probably originated in the fourteenth century. The official establishment took place on 6 April 1862 by a Decree of the Supreme Council; the same act introduced the crown on top of the shield.
There is little evidence regarding the official design until the mid 20th century. "The Flag Bulletin" vol. III, no. 2 from the winter of 1963-64 is reproducing on page 31 an "official plate showing the flag
and arms of San Marino, [which] was a gift of the San Marinese government
, through its Consul in New York
." This plate was previously published in an official guide of the republic, from March 1963. In 2011, a new Law on the flag and coat of arms of San Marino presented a slightly simplified design, the main changes being that the branches have no more ramifications, the towers are square instead of round, and the gates are oriented now towards sinister.
The coat of arms of San Marino adorns among other things the flag of the country
and the logo of the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio
.
The components of the coat of arms are in detail:
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of San Marino
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
probably originated in the fourteenth century. The official establishment took place on 6 April 1862 by a Decree of the Supreme Council; the same act introduced the crown on top of the shield.
There is little evidence regarding the official design until the mid 20th century. "The Flag Bulletin" vol. III, no. 2 from the winter of 1963-64 is reproducing on page 31 an "official plate showing the flag
Flag of San Marino
The state and war flag of San Marino is formed by two equal horizontal bands of white and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield with a closed crown on top, flanked by an oak and laurel wreath, with a scroll below bearing the word...
and arms of San Marino, [which] was a gift of the San Marinese government
Congress of State
The Congress of State is the government of the Republic of San Marino.Composed by ten members, it is appointed by the Grand and General Council between its members, so becoming a parliament committee...
, through its Consul in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
." This plate was previously published in an official guide of the republic, from March 1963. In 2011, a new Law on the flag and coat of arms of San Marino presented a slightly simplified design, the main changes being that the branches have no more ramifications, the towers are square instead of round, and the gates are oriented now towards sinister.
The coat of arms of San Marino adorns among other things the flag of the country
Flag of San Marino
The state and war flag of San Marino is formed by two equal horizontal bands of white and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield with a closed crown on top, flanked by an oak and laurel wreath, with a scroll below bearing the word...
and the logo of the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio
San Marino Football Federation
The San Marino Football Federation is the governing body of football in San Marino. It organises the San Marino football league , a national cup , a super cup and the San Marino national football team...
.
Description
The official description of the coat of arms is:The components of the coat of arms are in detail:
- In the blue shield there are three green mountains with three silver towers, each decorated with a weather vaneWeather vaneA weather vane is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building....
consisting of a silver ostrich feather. The towers symbolize the three citadels of San Marino (La GuaitaGuaitaGuaita is one of three peaks which overlooks the city of San Marino, the capital of San Marino. The other two are De La Fratta and Montale.-Fortress of Guaita:...
, La Cesta and La MontaleMontale (San Marino)Montale is one of three peaks which overlook the city of San Marino, the capital of the Republic of San Marino. The other two are De La Fratta and Guaita.-Overview:...
), while the hills represent the three summits of the Monte TitanoMonte TitanoMonte Titano is a mountain of the Apennines and the highest peak in San Marino. It stands at above sea level and is located immediately to the east of the capital, San Marino. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 under the combined title "San Marino Historic Centre and Mount...
. - The motto "LIBERTAS" (Lat.LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
freedom). It possibly refers to the taking in of victims of political persecution in the earlier years of San Marino, and to the amazing maintenance of independence in the midst of many larger states. The motto could also have developed from the alleged last words of the founder Marinu "Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine" (Lat. "I leave you free from both men"). - An oak and laurel branch, which surrounds the coat of arms are symbols for the stability of the republic and the defense of the liberty.
- A crownCrown (heraldry)A Crown is often an emblem of the monarchy, a monarch's government, or items endorsed by it; see The Crown. A specific type of crown is employed in heraldry under strict rules....
, which serves as symbol of sovereignty.
See also
- Citadel on Mount Titano (Photo)
- Saint MarinusSaint MarinusSaint Marinus was the founder of the world's oldest surviving republic, San Marino, in 301. Tradition holds that he was a stonemason by trade who came from the island of Rab on the other side of the Adriatic Sea , fleeing persecution for his Christian beliefs in the Diocletianic Persecution...
- Flag of San MarinoFlag of San MarinoThe state and war flag of San Marino is formed by two equal horizontal bands of white and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield with a closed crown on top, flanked by an oak and laurel wreath, with a scroll below bearing the word...