Aruba, 1955
Aruba’s coat of arms was originally designed in 1955 and has since been used as its national symbol. It is a shield, divided into four quarters by a white cross, representing devotion and faith. The first quarter depicts an aloe plant, the island’s first important export. Hooiberg, Aruba’s most recognisable and second-highest hill, is in the second quarter, representing Aruba rising out of the sea. The third quarter depicts hands shaking, symbolic of Aruba’s good relations with the world. In the fourth quarter, a cogwheel represents the industry. The lion crest symbolises power and generosity and the laurel branches are traditional symbols of peace and friendship.