The city of Orizaba was key to the political history of Francisco I. Madero, according to the National Institute of Historical Studies of the Revolutions of Mexico (Inehrm). Here he began the first of his six political tours of the Mexican Republic to spread the principles of anti-reelectionism.
Remember that the native of Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila was one of the main leaders of the Mexican Revolution and who overthrew the dictator Porfirio Díaz Mori.
It was on June 18, 1909 that the so-called “Apostle of Democracy” visited the now Magical Town to found clubs related to his party. The Spanish-French historian François-Xavier Guerra mentions that: “Madero’s democratic faith was contagious, his language was completely impregnated with references to freedom, the Constitution, the rights of the people. Madero formed a network of relationships that sometimes give rise to a true friendship.”
Why are we telling you this? Well, in Orizaba they honor him on one of its main streets where it is no coincidence that it is “guarded” by lions, a mammal that in popular culture represents power, strength, courage, royalty or dignity.
We are referring to Paseo Madero, a route of more than 300 meters that in 2010 became completely pedestrian. Every day residents and tourists stroll quietly seeing dozens of businesses on its sides, others rest on the benches that have been installed there and enjoy the decoration of the lights, illustrative and informative screens.
Part of the Francisco I. Madero Sur promenade crosses the streets Oriente 6, Poniente 5, Oriente 2 and ends at Colón Orientem facing the central park Apolinar Castillo, the Cathedral of Orizaba in honor of San Miguel Arcángel and the Palacio de Hierro, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Magical Town.
In Orizaba, the inhabitants have the phrase “let’s go wooding” as an expression that is attributed to walking the Paseo Madero, perhaps from end to end, to see the businesses, to shop or as a meeting point between friends, couples or families, making it popular among tourists who ask for guided tours.
But this walk is not only famous for its shops and decorations, as we told you, it has lions that “watch over it” and the sculptures of this majestic “king of the jungle” have a plaque that says “Loyal to the People” part of a motto that makes up the Coat of Arms of Orizaba: “Benign the climate, fertile the soil, comfortable the site and loyal the people”.
Characteristics of the Coat of Arms of Orizaba
Now that you know the famous motto of the people of Orizaba, you are surely curious to know what the Coat of Arms is, where that name comes from and what each phrase means.
According to historical archives of the Orizaba City Council, King Charles III granted the shield to the Villa de Orizaba on December 18, 1776; in 2024, 248 years of this event will be commemorated.
Among its characteristics, not only the shield stands out but also the presence of a crowned eagle that holds it and in turn a division of four quadrants called quarters can be seen.
The first quarter says “Benigno el clima” and is occupied by five stars with six rays that symbolize the transcendence towards the divine of all humanity.
The second quarter says “Fértil el suelo” represented by an oak tree on a field of gold that refers to the fertility of the land on which the city is located.
The third quarter says “Leal el Pueblo” where the lion appears, a symbol of nobility in various cultures that alludes to the loyalty of the people.
Finally, the fourth quarter says “Comfortable place” and is represented by a galleon, that is, a sailing vessel but with said sails furled, a sign formerly used to indicate that they were now safe in a comfortable port.
It also has in the central part another shield corresponding to an emblem of the sovereigns of Castile and Leon. The eagle is the symbol of imperial protection for Orizaba which, according to them, was part of “an empire where the sun never set”.
Source: elsoldeorizaba
