The title of "Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Mérida" was granted on April 30, 1605 by the King of Spain Felipe III. In 1618, Mérida, like few cities in New Spain, obtained its Coat of Arms.

In heraldic terms, the rampant lion symbolizes majesty, courage and strength; the castle denotes greatness and tenacious resistance to the enemy; the blue colour represents virtues such as loyalty and justice, while green means hope, freedom and fearlessness.