Dominican Republic Coat of Arms: Bible, Cross, Flags & Motto Explained
Decode the open Bible, cross, four national flags, spears, laurel and palm branches, and the ribbons reading Dios, Patria, Libertad and República Dominicana.
Why is there an open Bible in the coat of arms?
The Constitution describes an open Bible at the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 32, with a cross above it. The Bible is one of the most distinctive elements of the Dominican national emblem.
What else appears in the emblem?
What do the ribbons say?
The blue upper ribbon carries the national motto “Dios, Patria, Libertad”. The red lower ribbon reads “República Dominicana.”
How did the coat of arms evolve?
The emblem dates to the independence era in 1844 and underwent many changes during the nineteenth century. Dominican official sources record 21 versions including the current one. A decree of February 6, 1913 established heraldic uniformity and the modern form associated with the design by Casimiro Nemesio de Moya.
Coat of arms FAQ
What Bible verse is shown?
John 8:32.
What is the national motto?
Dios, Patria, Libertad.
When was the current form standardized?
1913.
Presidency of the Dominican Republic — National Symbols
MIREX — National Symbols and State Protocol
