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Teror (Municipality, Canary Islands, Spain)

Flag of Teror, as seen on 5 September 2011 at the Town Hall - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 October 2011

Symbols of Teror

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Symbols of Teror

The flag of Teror is prescribed by a Decree adopted on 6 August 2007 by the Government of the Canary Islands and published on 14 August 2007 in the official gazette of the Canary Islands, No. 163, pp. 20,555-20,556 (text). The flag was initially approved on 28 April 2003 by the Municipal Council and validated on 18 November 2004 by the Heraldry Commission of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, including modifications suggested by the Commission.
The flag is described as follows:

Flag: Two horizontal stripes, the first green, and the second, placed below the first one, yellow. The whole of the two stripes covers 30% of the panel's height, with the following proportions: green, 22.5%, and yellow, 7.5%.
A central horizontal stripe of white colour, covering 40% of the panel's height. The coat of arms shall be placed in the middle of this panel, covering 90% of its height.
Two horizontal stripes, the first yellow, and the second, placed below the first one, green. The whole of the two stripes covers 30% of the panel's height, with the following proportions: green, 22.5%, and yellow, 7.5%.

According to José Manuel Erbez (Banderas y escudos de Canarias, 2007; website), the green colour symbolizes the abundance of vegetation in the area. Green is furthermore considered by the locals to be the proper colour of Teror, used in cultural and sports events.
The yellow and white colours are taken from the flag of the Canary Islands. Yellow symbolizes the local quarrystone, which has been used to build the Yellow Tower of the basilica of Our Lady of the Pine. White symbolizes the stone used in local popular and traditional architecture.

The coat of arms of Teror is prescribed by a Decree adopted on 25 February 1955 by the Spanish Government and published on 7 March 1955 in the Spanish official gazette.
The coat of arms is described as follows:

Coat of arms: Quarterly. 1. Gules a castle proper, 2. Or a lion gules, 3. Azure a tower proper on a base gules surrounded by two palm trees each with a dog, 4. Per fess, 1a. Azure a morning star argent, 1b. Vert a well proper, 2. Gules a castle proper beneath it a scroll argent inscribed with the motto "MALO MORI QUAM FOEDARI" [To Die is Worse Than Being Blemished]. Inescutcheon agent a pine proper charged with a Marian anagramm argent. The shield surmounted by a Royal crown open. Beneath the shield a scroll or inscribed with the motto "AVE MARÍA".

The 1st and 2nd quarters represent Spain, the 3rd quarter represents Gran Canaria Island, and the 4th quarter represents the Pérez de Villanueva family, the founders of Teror and the protectors of the sanctuary of the Virgin of the Pine, the patron saint of Gran Canaria, who is also symbolized by the inescutcheon.

Klaus-Michael Schneider & Ivan Sache, 5 October 2011