Beneath this semi-dome on the right side of the Government Palace is the Peruvian coat-of-arms. The shield consists of three elements. In the left corner is a vicuña, the country’s national animal that resembles a llama. On the right is a cinchona tree, a key source for quinine used in tonic water and as an anti-malarial drug. At the bottom is a cornucopia with coins. This represents Peru’s minerals. This National Shield version (Escudo Nacional), which is used on all public buildings, is surrounded by Peruvian flags with a Civic Crown on top.
