Municipality of Candelaria (Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province, Canary Islands, Spain)

Ilustre Ayuntamiento de Candelaria

Last modified: 2009-11-21 by eugene ipavec
Keywords: candelaria | tenerife | virgin of candelaria | virgin mary | coat of arms | guanches: 2 | wall (grey) | gate (grey) | waves | coronet | pots: 3 (red) |
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image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 14 Apr 2007

• Description
• Coat of Arms

See also:

• Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain)
• Canary Islands (Spain)
• Spain

Other sites:

• Flags of Tenerife by José Manuel Erbez

The flag of Candelaria is plain white with the coat of arms in its centre. I spotted this flag on 2 February 2007 on top of the local town hall.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 20 Apr 2007

Description of coat of arms: the shield is divided per fess. On the chief is the Virgin of Candelaria in a green cave in front of a blue sky. Two Guanches, one at each side, are kneeling before her and adore her. The base is divided a second time per fess. On the centre is a red wall with gate and pinnacles. On the base are blue wavy lines and two silver fish, facing one another, all in a silver (white) field. The shield has a grey border with a red pot at each side except the bottom. The shield is topped by a coronet.

Meaning: The chief is an image, illustrating the legend of the Holy Virgin of Candelaria ("Sanctísima Virgen de Candelaria"). On a summer afternoon in 1392 two herdsmen were looking out for shelter in the gorge of Chinguaro. Crossing the beach of Chimisay they noticed that their goats ran back very frightened. One herdsman saw a woman with a child in her arms thrown onto the beach by the sea. According to Guancho laws that postulated punishment by death if one is speaking to a woman in regions without inhabitants the herdsman tried to drive her away without saying a word. The woman remained in silence. The herdsman tried to throw a stone at her but his arm became paralyzed. The man came nearer in order to hurt her hand with his stick but his own hand started bleeding. Becoming afraid, the herdsmen left the herd and ran away. The Mencey (local king) ordered to drive the herd into a cave. For his men were anxious he sent out injured men.

When those came near to the woman they were cured by touching her. Seeing this miracle, their fear disappeared. Later, Pope Pius VI made the Virgin the protecting patron of all of the Canary Islands.

Source: Description (in German) on a plaque in the park of the Drago Milenario in Icod d.l.V.

The wall represents an old fortress defending the spot. The fish symbolize the fish industries and the picturesque harbour. The pots point to the importance of local pottery.

Source: Heraldica Institucional de Canarias p.85

Sources and Credits

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 20 Apr 2007