The Cuban Coat of Arms

Miguel de Teurbe Tolon created the Cuban Coat of Arms (el Escudo Cubano).

The Cuban Coat of Arms consists of three divisions, crowned by the Phrygian Cap (Gorro Frigio) or liberty cap that has a sole star, with the borders of the divisions surrounded by an oak branch on one side and a laurel wreath on the other.

The oak branch symbolizes the strength of the nation; and the laurel wreath: Honor and Glory.

The Phrygian Cap serves as a crown symbolizing liberty, and the sole star on the Phrygian Cap stands for Independence.

These symbols were meant to represent the rights of man: Equality, Liberty and Fraternity.

In the first top division, horizontally, there is a key symbolizing Cuba’s geographical position, with a bright rising sun in the background. In the division located to the right are the stripes, vertically, representing the three departments which divide the island: Oriental, Central y Occidental (the Eastern, Central and Western).

In the division toward the left, there are pictures of mountains, rivers, the valley and most evident a Royal Palm Tree, the national tree of Cuba - graceful and elegant - representing the rich soil that Cuba has been blessed with.