Flag of Guatemala
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National flag. Flag ratio: (5:8)
Civil flag and ensign. Flag ratio: (5:8)In Guatemala, the Central American flag was used until 1851 when a pro-Spanish faction took over and added the Spanish colors of red and yellow to the flag. On August 17, 1871 the original colors were restored, but in vertical, rather than horizontal stripes and with a new coat of arms. The new coat of arms shows the quetzal, Guatemala's most famous bird, with its distinctive tail-feathers, representing liberty. The bird stands on a scroll that gives the date of Guatemala's Declaration of Independence. Rifles and swords represent defense of freedom. The present form of the arms was adopted in 1968. Blue and white in the flag are the colors of the original flag of the United Provinces of Central America.
The flag of Guatemala is designed in two colours: sky blue and white. The white stripe between the two sky blue stripes represents the fact that Guatemala is a land located between two oceans, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The white colour also signifies peace and purity.
The stripe pattern is based on the national flag of United Provinces of Central America, although there the stripes were horizontal and the two outer stripes were blue, rather than sky blue. The flags of the other countries that were part of the United Provinces of Central America follow the horizontal, blue pattern. Inspired in the Argentine flag.
In the center of the flag is the Guatemalan coat of arms. It includes the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala that symbolizes liberty; a parchment scroll bearing the date of Central America's independence from Spain, 15 September 1821; crossed rifles, indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by force if need be; a bay laurel crown, the symbol for victory; and crossed swords, representing honor.
More information visit: [1]
The current flag design dates to 1871. The Resplendent Quetzal previously appeared in the flag of Los Altos, Central America in the 1830s.
[edit] History
 1825-1838 (Within Central America) |
 1838-1843 |
 1843-1851 |
 1851-1858 |
 1858-1871 |
[edit] External links
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