Official Seal of Güines

Original design of Güines Seal, sent, in 1775, by the tobacco growers and farmers to the King of Spain along with a petition to grant Güines the rank of Villa.

This original petition, made by Francisco de Gama and Pedro de Ayala as Attorneys-In-Fact of the farmers and tobacco growers of the area said, in part: “To grant in His discretion the referred grace, ordering to issue the necessary Edicts… in accordance to the laws of the Kingdom, declaring for Seal the image of St. Julián, placed on a gold castle in a field of azure and silver ground, furrowed and planted with three tobacco plants, green and in flower, with the Royal crown on its top to show the superior dominion of His Majesty and to symbolize our devotion to the Patron Saint and we settlers having earned your Royal protection for the zeal and steadfastness with which we have dedicated ourselves to the cultivation of a plant so useful to the Royal treasury… .“ The inclusion of the tobacco plants in the official seal indicates the importance that such crop had in the development of the economy of the valley of Güines in the beginning of its history.

The truth is that later historical research, especially in the General Archives of the Indies in Seville, indicates that the design of the seal sent with the petition and approved by King Fernando VII on October 22, 1817, is the one published with this article, which is very similar, artistically and conceptually, with the modern official seal that we all know, as used by the Town Council and Municipal authorities from 1893 on. The design of what, in our opinion, was the original official seal, consists of a tower or castle, and emerging from it, the figure of Saint Julian, Bishop of Cuenca and Patron Saint of Güines, with the Bishop’s crosier in his right hand and a branch on his left. There are three tobacco plants in the seal’s field. Two of them, curiously, look like they are planted in the air. The colors, like the original petition requested, were gold castle, field in azure, silver ground and the plants of tobacco green. Neither the tobacco plants in flower nor the royal Crown on its top, as requested in the original petition, were included herewith.

A more stylized design of the official Güines Seal. It was used from 1817 to 1842.

It appears that the original design was used by the Municipal authorities during the first years after its granting, although we do not have any documentary evidence of it. A more stylish design, as utilized afterwards, is illustrated here.

Beginning in 1843, inexplicably, the above design is not used, and the Mayors of first and second categories in Güines began to utilize two printed figures, one with trimming and the other without it, representing a woman with a sword on her right hand and a scale on her left hand, resting on three books; there was a lion lying on the right side with his two front paws resting on each continent; representations of our flora in horizontal stripes as a background (which is the field in azure explained by the heraldry laws).

Güines Seal, with trimming, used from 1843 until 1862

Güines Seal, without trimming, used from 1843 until 1862

Güines Seal used from 1862 until 1879

It is in 1862 when a modified seal from its original design appears in official documents. The reason for this change is unknown. We include in this article a copy of the same. It does not have the figure of Saint Julian. In the tower or castle there is a hoisted flag. In the esplanade, which takes us to the symbol of the defense, there are three tobacco plants with flowers. The seal has the shape of a lance with the crown at its top and tobacco branches at its ends. Around the exterior area, in oval shape, appears the inscription: “Seal of the Villa of Güines.” This design remained in effect until 1879, and that is the way it is shown in the minute books of the Town Council and in official documents.

Güines Seal, used from March 21, 1879, when Manuel Ocejo Eguía was Mayor until 1893

Beginning in 1879, when the Municipal system of government changed due to the promised laws of the Pact of Zanjón, another seal is introduced in the official papers and books of the Town Council. On March 21, 1879, when Don Juan Ocejo Eguía was Mayor, the new seal appears. It does not have the design or the tobacco plants with flowers. The seal, also in the shape of a lance, has a crown on its top and two branches of tobacco at its ends, and simply has the tower or castle with the flag, and not surrounded by the legend used in the 1862 seal, but by the new legend “Illustrious Town Council of Güines” in an azure field and in oval shape.

Güines Seal, used from 1893

This same design, but with Saint Julian, Patron Saint of the Villa, and having also three tobacco plants, begins to be used with Mayor Benito Bayer Coll in 1893.

The modern version of Güines seal was cemented during the era of Mayor Bayer, when they were made into bronze medallions and worn as necklaces by Councilmen in civic, patriotic, and official acts. Copy of this medallion published with this article shows on the front the seal of the Villa and on the back the legend: “Illustrious Town Council of Güines.” It is curious to note that instead of the three tobacco plants, the medallion has three tobacco flowers. Carved and painted in the furniture and ceiling of the Town Council of Güines, respectively, was this same official seal, the only difference being that instead of tobacco flowers three tobacco plants appeared.

Front of the medallion worn by members of the Güines Town Council during the modern era

Back of the medallion worn by members of the Güines Town Council during the modern era

During our Republican Era, the official seal was the same version used since 1893, which was kept without changes for over 100 years. We illustrate herein this modern version as we conclude our article, due to the talent and artwork of our fellow Güinero, the late Efrén del Castillo Pérez.

Güines Seal, in black and white by an unknown artist.

To the right is a version in black and white, artist unknown, showing the three tobacco plants in bloom.

Güines Seal, modern version, by Efrén del Castillo Pérez, artist from Güines.

To the left, this modern version, in color, was created by our fellow Güinero, the late Efrén del Castillo Pérez

It shows the figure of Saint Julian emerging from the tower or castle with the Bishop’s crosier on the right hand and a branch on his left hand. There are three tobacco plants on the lower field. The seal is in the shape of a lance with a crown on its top and two tobacco branches on each end. The colors are the same as those requested in the original 1775 petition: “Tower or castle in gold, field in azure, ground in silver and the tobacco plants in green. The vestments of Saint Julian are purple or violet in consideration of his status as a Bishop.”