Costa Rican coat of arms prior to 1998 addition of "smoking" volcanoes
The official coat of arms of the Republic of Costa Rica was designed in 1848, with modifications in 1906, 1964, and most recently the 1998 addition of smoke to distinguish three volcanoes (“Se dibujaron los volcanes humeantes para diferenciarlos.”
As officially described, the coat of arms represent: three volcanoes (one for each of the three mountain ranges in the country) and an extensive valley between two oceans (Pacific Ocean and Caribbean) with a merchant ship in each one (representing the maritime history of the country).
In the horizon a rising sun. All surrounded by a golden frame representing the golden bead (coffee). Two palms close the arms joined by a white ribbon with the leyend “Republica de Costa Rica” in gold.
An arch of seven stars represent the provinces of the republic. The arms are crowned by a blue ribbon with the legend “America Central”.
Pre-1821 Colony of Spanish Empire
Before 1821, Costa Rica was part of the Spanish Empire and did not have a local coat of arms. The arms of the reigning monarch were used instead.
The only city that had a local coat of arms was the City of Cartago, awarded by King Phillip II in 1565.
After the independence from Spain in 1821, Costa Rica briefly joined the Mexican Empire, so from 1822 to 1823 the Costa Rican arms were those of the Mexican Empire.
Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1823 to November, 1824
Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Central America from November 1824 to November 1840
Federal and State Arms
Coat of Arms of the State of Costa Rica within the Federal Republic of Central America from Nov 2, 1824 to Nov 15, 1840.
In March 1824, when Costa Rica joined the United Provinces of Central America arms promulgated by the new republic’s constitution became the arms of the State of Costa Rica.
This coat of arms consists of a triangle, in which five volcanoes rise out of the sea symbolizing the five member states of the United Provinces; above the volcanoes is a shining red Phrygian cap and a rainbow.
This coat of arms with small changes is still used by the national coat of arms of El Salvador and Nicaragua.
On November 2, 1824 Costa Rica adopted its first coat of arms as a state within the federation which showed the right side of a naked male’s chest and extended arm surrounded by a circle of green mountains and the legend free state of Costa Rica.
Arms of an Independent States
Coat of arms of the independent State of Costa Rica from April 1840 to April, 1842
In 1840 after Costa Rica’s withdrawal from the federation a new coat of arms was adopted, the first for Costa Rica as a sovereign and independent state.
It consisted of an eight-pointed shining star in a blue field surrounded by a yellow circle with the leyend State of Costa Rica.
This coat of arms was suppressed in 1842 by Francisco Morazán during his failed bid to reunite the Federal Republic of Central America. The 1824 arms where used during this period.
Coat of Arms of the Republic
The basis of the current National Coat of Arms of Costa Rica was adopted September 29, 1848 during the presidency of Dr Jose Maria Castro Madriz together with the new flag. Both designs are attributed to Pacifica Fernandez, wife of Mr Castro Madriz.
Design of the 1848 coat of arms which was featured in the first Costa Rican postal stamp issued in 1863
These arms were significantly modified by law number 18 of November 27, 1906 which eliminated the military symbols, national flags and horn of plenty contained in the 1848 design.
In 1964 two stars were added to the original five in order to complete seven, which by then was the number of provinces of the country. In 1848, when the original design was adopted the current provinces of Puntarenas and Limon had not reached that status.
On May 5, 1998, by Executive Decree No. 26853-SP, the coat of arms was given its current form, including the smoking volcanoes. Before this date, the three mountains did not show smoke coming out of their tops.
