Emblem of Guatemala, with legend at top, and date at bottom.

The Emblem of Guatemala depicts two rifles and two swords crossed with a wreath of laurel. The middle will harbor a scroll of parchment with the words "Liberty 15 of September of 1821" and in the upper part a Quetzal as the symbol of national independence and autonomy. 15 September 1821 is the date of Central America's independence from Spain.

The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, and its image is found on the country's flag and coat of arms. It also lends its name to the country's currency, the Guatemalan quetzal (abbreviation GTQ).

Kapok tree center, value at right, ground below and Guatemala national motto "Grow Free and Fertile" at bottom.

Ceiba is a genus of trees in the Malvaceace family, native to tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas (from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina) and tropical West Africa. Some species can grow to 70 m (230 ft) tall or more, with a straight, largely branchless trunk that culminates in a huge, spreading canopy, and buttress roots that can be taller than a grown person. The best-known, and most widely cultivated, species is Kapok, Ceiba pentandra, one of several trees called kapok.

Ceiba is also the national tree of Guatemala. The most important Ceiba in Guatemala is known as La Ceiba de Palín Escuintla which is over 400 years old.