THE MEMBERSHIP PLAQUE A Description of its Symbols and Historical pairfcs
This plaque has been in process of development for several years. The difficulties have been the digging up old historical data and then finding an artist that could weave it into a design that would bo both artistic and historically authentic*
Researches have been conducted at the Library of Congress at Washington, the flareia old Spanish Library at Austin and thru consultations with many people* Researches also have led into the history and development of flags from remote times, and into the descriptions of ancient heraldry, and of coats of arms, and into the spirit and character of the knighthood of the old Spanish period. Spanish art and romance reached supreme pinnacles in the period of the Empire.
The DESIGN is according to the old Spanish artistry of the discovery period.
The ROYAL BANNER was the flag of Spain of that period, symbolizing the kingdoms of castles and lions (of Castile and Leon) of Isabella. Ferdinand was of Aragon.
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The WHITE BANNER was the flag presented to Columbus by Quden Isabella. The F and Y symbolize Ferdinand and Ysabella. The green cross symbolizes Christianity} green is the color of hope. White symbolizes the purity of their purposes. Columbus planted first the Royal Banner, then the White Banner.
The ROYAL BANNER was carried thru all these lands as those remarkable men carried on their discoveries and conquests.
The NAMES around the border are of outstanding discoverers and conquista-dores of the period,.
The SCROLL WORK is copied from old designs.
The HEMET AND FEATHERS symbolize the knighthood of the period. The feathers indicate a knight or noble. ■
The SHIELD is a historic shape for the period.
The BAND OF THE SHIELD will carry symbols some of which will be different from the symbols shown here. On the band the SHELL symbolizes adventures beyond the sea. It was also used by the padre3 in their r3ligio^^s rites and is found incorporated into some of the mission architecture. The CROSS like an X symbolizes crusades or crusaders. An ERMINE may be fehown; it symbolizes the purity and distinction of the knightly purposes. The AZTEC SUN SYMBOL and i also the SUN SYMBOL of the Arizona and New’Mexican Indians may be used to symbolize the faith and beliefs of original Americans.
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