Merida, officially known as Santiago de los Caballeros de Merida (City of Gentlemen 0f Merida) is the capital of the municipality of Libertador and the state of Merida, and is one of the principal cities of the Venezuelan Andes. It was founded in 1558 by Captain Juan Rodriguez Suarez, forming part of Nueva Granada, but later became part of the Captaincy General of Venezuela and played an active role in the War of Independence.
Merida is presently a beautiful city surrounded by impressive mountains, with a colonial down town of singular beauty where you can see the Bishop's Palace, the City Hall, The University buildings, the Cathedral recognized for its handsome architecture, colorful parks, and most enjoyable of all: its charming well-bred population.
The Spanish Crown confers the city the title of 'The very Noble and Loyal City of Merida of Knights', title by which the city was worthy of a Coat of Arms, although was not formalized.
The blazon of The Coat of Arms of The City of Merida is follows:
Or (golden enamel) La Cruz de Santiago (The Cross of Saint James) Gules (red enamel).
A Bordure Azur (blue enamel) charged of five eagles Argent (siver enamel) one, two and two.
As external ornaments:
For a Crest, three feather Gules (red enamel), Or (golden enamel) and Azur (blue enamel).
Mantling Or, Gules, Azur, Gules and Vert.
Sixteen cannons from chief to Base, fourteen muzzles and two breeches.
Motto: 'NON POTEST CIVITAS ABSCONDI SUPRA MONTEM POSITA', (A city on a hill cannot be hidden Matthew 5:14), Or (golden enamel) a pennant Vert (green enamel) in the compartment below the shield.
Meaning of Charges And Enamels:
Cruz de Santiago: Symbolizes to the saint whose glorious name bears this illustrious city.
Bordure with five silvered eagles: Represents the famous legend and also reproduces one of the names of this city, "City of Five White Eagles".
Cannons: They remind one of the many contributions of city to our magna feat.
Motto: NON POTEST CIVITAS ABSCONDI SUPRA MONTEM POSITA (A city on a hill cannot be hidden Matthew 5:14).
The three feather symbolize our glorious tricolor.
Or (golden enamel): Symbolizes faith, purity and perseverance. Those who have this color in their coats of arms are forced to fight for their homeland until the last drop of blood.
Gules (red enamel): It symbolizes the courage and those who bear in their coat of arms are obliged to help those unjustly oppressed.
Argent (silver enamel): It symbolizes the purity.
Azur (blue enamel): It is a symbol of majesty, beauty and serenity.
Vert (green enamel): It is a symbol of hope, abundance and freedom.
The coat of arms represents to City of Merida in its three eras of existence:
The five white eagles represent the place where the city had been founded, the pre-Columbian times.
The cross of Santiago is graphical representation of the city in the time of the Conquest and the Colony.
And the cannons represent to the city at the time of Independence, because the city had contributed with supplies of money and men that helped to found the fatherland and freedom.
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