The Flag of Belize - Description of the Belize Flag
As the above picture of the Belize Flag indicates the overall background is blue with narrow red stripes on the top and bottom edges
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Belize flag represent the following:
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the Belize flag is described as Emblem - reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Belize flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The emblem on the Belize flag pictures the Belize coat of arms
The Meaning & History of the Belize Flag - The Belize emblem depicts a large white disk bearing the coat of arms of Belize which features a shield flanked by two woodcutters in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, encircled by a green garland
The Mahogany tree is the National tree of Belize and is significant to the economic wealth of the country
The National flag of Belize was adopted on September 21st 1981 upon independence from the United Kingdom (The flag is a furtherance of the earlier flag of the British Honduras at which time the two red stripes were added to the original design upon independence)
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Belize Flag Etiquette
Belize Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Belize as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Belize
State Flag of Belize
Military Flag of Belize (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Belize
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Belize Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Belize should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Belize flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Belize should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Belize flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Belize, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Belize Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Belize flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Belize flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Belize flag to the top, then lowering the Belize Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Belize flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Belize flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Belize flag
The Belize flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Belize flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Belize flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Belize Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Belize Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Belize
Location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Land Size of Belize : 22,806 sq km
Climate / Weather of Belize : tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Belize Population : 272,945 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : British Honduras
Belize Capital City: Belmopan
Belize GDP: $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
Main Industries : garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
South America - Concise History of the Mesoamerican civilisations
Mesoamericans were the ancient civilisations of South America which is now divided into 12 independent countries consisting of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela
The diverse civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica included the Olmecs, Toltecs, Aztecs, Incas and Mayans
5000-1200 BC The Ancestors of the people of South America were believed to have been nomadic Asian hunter-gatherers who crossed over the frozen Bering Strait and into North America. From there they traveled to the lands of South America and were the descendents of the great Mesoamerican civilisations and established corn cultivation, pottery and the use of stone tools
The Olmecs - 1200 BC- 300 AD The Olmecs were the first true civilisation of South America and were the ancestors of the later cultures
The Mayan Civilisation - 300 - 1500's The Mayans empire covered Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Mayans developed astronomy and hieroglyphic writing
The Toltec Civilisation - 900's - 1100's The Toltecs ruled Mexico and Guatemala from the 10th to the 12th century
The Aztec Civilisation - 1100'S- 1500'S The Aztecs' rose to power in Mexico during the 12th and 13th centuries and remained in control until the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th Century
The Inca Civilisation - 1438 - 1535 The empire of the Incas covered Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. The amazing rise of the Incas was achieved in less than one hundred years and covered an area of nearly 400,000 square miles
The Spanish conquistadors - 1535 The later civilisations of South America abruptly ended in 1535 when the Spanish conquistadors seized control
Concise History from 16th Century of Belize & its Flag
1542 Spain invades and conquest occurs
1546 Rebellion and the Spanish are forced to leave Belize
1567 The Spanish re-conquest of Belize
1642 Belize rebellion and once again the Spanish forced to leave
1650's Estimated date of beginning of British settlement
1650 - 1800's the use of imported African slave labor
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1824 An estimated 2,500 slaves in Belize
In 1838 slavery was formally abolished
1862 Officially declared a colony and part of British Commonwealth with the name British Honduras
1973 Name changes to Belize
1981 Belize becomes an independent member of the Commonwealth with the Queen of England as ceremonial head of state
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Belize Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Belize Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
