Quarterly: first Gules, a crosier bendways sinister surmounted by a mitre Or lined Argent (Bishop of Urgell); second Or, three pallets Gules (Count of Foix); third Or, four pallets Gules (Catalonia); fourth Or, two cows passant in pale Gules horned and collared Azure (Viscount of Béarn).
Andorran law describes the coat of arms as follows:[1]
The coat of arms of the Principality of Andorra has been traditionally formed by four quarters, two of which are the ones of the two Co-Princes. The four traditional quarters are:
1) that of theBishopric, represented by a golden mitre and a golden crosier on a red background;
The arms can have at the bottom the motto "Virtus Unita Fortior". The arms can have an aureola, a scroll, or it can be crowned by the lord's emblems (crown, chapeau).
The coat of arms featured on the exterior of theCasa de la Vall
The usage of the arms of theBishop of Urgell and theCount of Foix stems originates from a settlement made in 1278 concerning territory sandwiched between the lands they had jurisdiction over.[2] The two parties agreed to protect the principality jointly asco-princes.[2][3] The arms ofCatalonia andBéarn were added, and a "centuries-old carving" of this four-part quartered emblem is featured on the exterior of the country's parliament building[2] – theCasa de la Vall – which served as the meeting place of theGeneral Council until 2014.[4] It was also found on thelintel of a house inBarcelona dating back to 1761.[5] However, its status was not official until it was designated as the principality's coat of arms under Article 2(2) of theConstitution of Andorra,[6] which was approved in a 1993 referendum and came into force that same year.[7]
The top two quarters depict the arms of the "two traditional protectors" of the principality – the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgell.[8] While the latter title is still extant and its holder continues to rule Andorra asa co-prince, the former was absorbed, first into the title ofKing of France, and subsequently transferred to thePresident of France.[9] The quarters at the bottom – of Catalonia and Béarn – allude to the other territories that Andorra has historically been reliant upon.[3] At the bottom is the country'smotto inLatin:Virtus Unita Fortior, English:United virtue stronger.[2][10]
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