Each Pyrenean valley normally has a coat of arms which is shared by all of the villages comprising it. Signs of identity, historical rights granted to the valley or lower nobility status are represented through animal or plant motifs, weaponry, pre-Christian symbols, etc.

Lintels over doors are excellent places to display these.

Escudos

The wild boar appears on the coat of arms of Aezkoa. The use of an animal is a convincing sign of group identity. If their choice of animal is anything to go by, the Aezkoans are fierce, brave, cunning strategists who dominate their environs, protect their young and turn fearsome when wounded.





The coat of arms of Roncal shows a bridge and a head said to be “of a moor”, which represent the heroism and bravery of the local population at the Battle of Olast near Burgui in 785.

The coat of arms of Salazar bears a fox. This honour was granted by King Felipe II to the "hidalgos" (lower nobility) of the valley. According to the inhabitants of Roncal, the fox reflects the slithery attitude of the “Salacencos” when the Saracens invaded the Pyrenees.






Almiradio de Navascues: A quartered shield: First on red, the chains of Navarre. Second and third, on azure, two golden fleur-de-lis. Fourth and on silver, a cross of Santiago in red.
As head of the “Almiradío”, Navascués also uses another coat of arms which features on its war flag. It consists of a castle with three turrets, per pale in gold and three bands of red.

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