| Coat of arms of Ecuador | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armiger | Republic of Ecuador |
| Adopted | 31 October 1900 |
Thecoat of arms ofEcuador (Spanish:Escudo de armas del Ecuador) in its current form was established in 1900 based on an older version of 1845.
Ecuadorian law describes the arms as follows:[1]
The Arms of Ecuador shall be an oval shield containing inside, in the upper part the sun with the part of theZodiac where one finds the signs corresponding to the memorable months of March, April, May and June; in the lower part, to the right shall be represented the historical mountainChimborazo, wherefrom shall start a river, and where it appears most abundant shall be a steamship, having for a mast acaduceus, as a symbol of navigation and commerce. The shield shall rest on a bundle of consular beams, a symbol of the republican dignity. It shall be adorned on the outside withnational flags and branches of palm and laurel, and surmounted by acondor with wings displayed.
In the background of the ovalshield is the mountainChimborazo, while the river originating from its base represents theGuayas. Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and is part of theAndes mountain range, as well as the furthest point from the center of the Earth.[2] Thesteamboat on the river is namedGuayas as well. The ship was built inGuayaquil and was the first seaworthy steamship built in both Ecuador and in all of South America. It was first put into service on 9 October 1841. The ship has the features of aCaduceus representing trade and economy. This kind of mast has two wings surrounding a pole with two snakes encircling it.[3] On top a golden sun surrounded by theZodiac astrological signs forAries,Taurus,Gemini andCancer representing the months March to July to symbolize the duration of theMarch Revolution of 1845 that ousted GeneralJuan José Flores.
Thecondor on top of the shield stretches his wings to symbolize power, greatness and strength of Ecuador. The condor also represents the idea that it will always be ready to attack any enemy. The shield is flanked by four national flags. The laurel on the left represents the victories of the republic.[4] The palm leaf on the right side is a symbol of the martyrs of the fight for independence and liberty. TheFasces below the shield represents the republican dignity. The final design of the coat of arms was completed in 1900.[5]
In the 1989 specifications issued to the Ecuadorian Military, the coat of arms has only eight colors that are used on the flag. The eight colors are yellow, blue, red (all from the national flag), sky blue, green, grey, silver and gold. There is also a nine-piece instruction on how to draw the coat of arms, followed by a full-color drawing and a black-and-white drawing of the arms. No size specifications have been laid out for the coat of arms except for when it is used on the national flag.[6]
The shield was introduced after the victory of the liberal revolution of 1845, but then flanked by white-blue-white flags; which were then replaced in the reintroduction of theTricolor flags. The coat of arms in its current form was approved by congress on October 31, 1900.
 | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) |  | |
| Colonial Ecuador period | Free Province of Guayaquil | Gran Colombia | Ecuador | Ecuador | Ecuador | Ecuador | Ecuador | Ecuador |
| 1534-1820 | 1820 | 1821–1830 | 1830–1835 | 1835–1843 | 1843–1845 | 1845–1860 | 1860–1900 | 1900–present |
