[1] The iconic and imposing coat of arms of El Salvador has Medieval Gothic and Greco-Roman influences,[2] as well as masonic, geographical, biblical, and American Indian symbolic representations, all of which come together in a distinctive, stylized heraldry crest emblem shield design.

The five volcanoes are modeled after the Cordillera de Apaneca and symbolize the fellowship of the five original isthmian member states of the United Provinces of Central America—Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado wrote that he was awestruck and spooked in great fear when he saw the massive numbers of American Indigenous warriors with large spears and bows as their weaponry standing their ground in their battle against the invading Spaniards.

All this is surrounded by golden amber letters, which form the Spanish words "REPÚBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMÉRICA CENTRAL" (transl.

For special occasions, the entire coat of arms of El Salvador is stylized bathed in golden amber or silver.