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History of Panama

History of Panama

The geologic history of Panama is relatively recent. Approximately three million years ago, one narr...

Manuel Amador Guerrero

Manuel Amador Guerrero

Manuel Amador Guerrero, who is known as one of the champions of the Panamanian nationality, was not ...

The Panama National Flag

The Panama National Flag

The Panamanian flag is a rectangle divided into four quarters: the upper left quarter is white with ...

The Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms

After the Panamanian flag was adopted, the Interim Governing Board announced a competition for natio...

National Anthem of Panama

National Anthem of Panama

The National Anthem of Panama was adopted as a national symbol by Law No. 34 on December 15, 1949, a...

Victoriano Lorenzo

Victoriano Lorenzo "The Indigenous Guerrilla Leader"

Lorenzo was a popular commander who led guerrillas against the Conservative government starting in O...

National Heroes of Panama

National Heroes of Panama

José Agustín Arango José Agustín Arango was born in Panama City on February 24, 1841, to a Cuban fa...

National Flower of Panama

National Flower of Panama

Panama's national flower is the orchid known as the Flower of the Holy Spirit, whose scientific name...

La Merced Church, guardian of history

La Merced Church, guardian of history

The best preserved church in the Old Town of Panama City is La Merced. Stone by stone, its façade wa...

St. Joseph Church and the Golden Altar

St. Joseph Church and the Golden Altar

St. Joseph Church holds one of the greatest treasures of this country, the Golden Altar. The church,...

Separation of Panama from Colombia

Separation of Panama from Colombia

Date: November 3, 2012 Location: Republic of Panama The Separation The union with Colombia, far f...

The incident over a slice of watermelon

The incident over a slice of watermelon

On April 15, 1856, an American named Jack Olivier, visibly intoxicated, along with three or four oth...

Separatist Movement in Colón

Separatist Movement in Colón

Date: November 5, 2012 Location: Province of Colón, Panama In the year 1903, Panama had achieved c...

Independence Movement in La Villa de Los Santos

Independence Movement in La Villa de Los Santos

Date: November 10, 2012 Location: District of La Villa de Los Santos, Province of Los Santos  ...

191 years of Panama's Independence from Spain

191 years of Panama's Independence from Spain

Date: November 28, 2012 Location: Panama, Republic of Panama The Panamanian movement for independe...

  • History of Panama

    History of Panama

    Tuesday, 04 January 2011 17:57
  • Manuel Amador Guerrero

    Manuel Amador Guerrero

    Tuesday, 06 November 2012 09:55
  • The Panama National Flag

    The Panama National Flag

    Monday, 15 October 2012 14:12
  • The Coat of Arms

    The Coat of Arms

    Friday, 26 October 2012 06:42
  • National Anthem of Panama

    National Anthem of Panama

    Monday, 15 October 2012 14:27
  • Victoriano Lorenzo

    Victoriano Lorenzo "The Indige...

    Friday, 26 October 2012 07:00
  • National Heroes of Panama

    National Heroes of Panama

    Friday, 26 October 2012 06:58
  • National Flower of Panama

    National Flower of Panama

    Friday, 26 October 2012 06:53
  • La Merced Church, guardian of history

    La Merced Church, guardian of ...

    Wednesday, 30 May 2012 11:32
  • St. Joseph Church and the Golden Altar

    St. Joseph Church and the Gold...

    Friday, 18 May 2012 10:24
  • Separation of Panama from Colombia

    Separation of Panama from Colo...

    Monday, 15 October 2012 14:19
  • The incident over a slice of watermelon

    The incident over a slice of w...

    Tuesday, 06 November 2012 09:50
  • Separatist Movement in Colón

    Separatist Movement in Colón

    Monday, 15 October 2012 14:07
  • Independence Movement in La Villa de Los Santos

    Independence Movement in La Vi...

    Monday, 15 October 2012 11:52
  • 191 years of Panama's Independence from Spain

    191 years of Panama's Independ...

    Friday, 09 November 2012 08:41

The Coat of Arms

After the Panamanian flag was adopted, the Interim Governing Board announced a competition for national artists to present designs for the new nation's coat of arms. Among hundreds of models, the coat of arms designed by Nicolás Villalaz and painted by his brother Sebastián Villalaz was chosen. It was approved in 1904 and has been used officially ever since.

Description of the Coat of Arms:

  • It rests on a green field, a symbol of the vegetation. It has an ogival shape and is divided into three parts. 
  • The center shows the Isthmus with its seas and sky, highlighting the moon rising above the waves as the sun begins to hide behind the mountain, marking the solemn hour of the declaration of our independence. 
  • The top portion is divided into two quarters: on the right-hand side, with a silver background, a sword and a rifle are hanging, to symbolize a permanent abandonment of civil wars, the cause of our ruin; one the left-hand side, with a red background, a gleaming shovel and hoe lie crossed over each other, to symbolize work. 
  • The bottom tip of the shield is also divided into two halves: the right-hand side, with a blue background, displays a cornucopia, emblem of wealth; the left-hand side, with a silver background, shows a winged wheel, symbol of progress.
  • An eagle, emblem of sovereignty, extends its wings behind and over the coat of arms. Its head is turned to the left, and it grasps in its beak a silver ribbon, which hangs down to either side. 
  • The ribbon is inscribed with the motto "Pro Mundi Beneficio," meaning "For the benefit of the world".
  • Nine golden stars arch above the eagle, representing the provinces in which the Republic is divided.
  • As decorative accessories, two national flags are draped on either side of the coat of arms and are gathered at the bottom.

Meaning of the Coat of Arms:

  • It represents our glory, our heritage and our heraldry.
  • The motto is very significant, as it not only describes the fact of Panama being opened wide to the service of the global community, but it also characterizes our culture that is welcoming to all, especially to foreigners who live here as if it were their homeland, and to travelers just visiting.
  • The design symbolizes our independence from Colombia, work and peace. The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, represents abundance, not only of fish, butterflies and trees, but of worthy men and women with noble sentiments.