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!
