Coat of arms of Chile
The coat of arms of Chile dates from 1834 and was designed by the English artist Charles Wood Taylor (1792–1856). It is made up by a figurative background divided in two equal parts: the top one is blue and the bottom, red. A five pointed white star is in the centre of the shield. This background is supported in one side by a condor, the most significant bird of prey from the Andes, and in the other, by a huemul, a mammal endemic to Chile. Both animals wear golden naval crowns symbolising the heroic deeds of the Chilean Navy in the Pacific Ocean.
| Coat of arms of Chile | |
|---|---|
| Armiger | Republic of Chile |
| Adopted | 26 June 1834 (original version) 12 December 1967 (current design) |
| Crest | Three feathers Azure, Argent, Gules |
| Torse | Azure, Argent and Gules |
| Shield | Party per fess Azure and Gules a mullet argent |
| Supporters | Dexter, a huemul proper; Sinister, a condor also proper, both navally crowned Or |
| Compartment | A vegetal compartment Or on the bottom, white scroll with motto on it |
| Motto | Por la razón o la fuerza "By reason or by force" |
The coat of arms is crowned by a three-feathered crest, each feather bearing one colour: blue, white and red. This crest was a symbol of distinction that former presidents of the Republic used to wear on their hats.
Underneath the coat of arms and on the elaborated pedestal, there is a white band with the motto: Por la Razón o la Fuerza ("By reason or force").
This emblem is the last of a series of variations due to diverse circumstances and understandings.