The Flag of Bolivia - Description of the Bolivian Flag
As the above picture of the Bolivian Flag indicates the background is tri-color - Red, yellow and green
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Bolivian flag represent the following:
Yellow - a symbol of generosity
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Green - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance
The basic style shown in the picture of the Bolivian flag is described 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 Bolivian flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The emblem on the Bolivian flag pictures the Bolivian coat of arms which depicts a crest surrounded by Bolivian flags, muskets, olive branches, and has an Andean condor on top
The Meaning & History of the Bolivian Flag - The Bolivian coat of arms shows a mountain and plains which represents the geography of the country. A llama is also shown representing the national animal
The crossed muskets symbolize the struggle for independence
The olive branches symbolize peace
The eagle symbolizes liberty
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
Bolivian Flag Etiquette
Bolivian 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 Bolivian as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Bolivian
State Flag of Bolivian
Military Flag of Bolivian (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Bolivian
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Bolivian Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Bolivian 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 Bolivian flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Bolivian should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Bolivian flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Bolivian, 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 Bolivian Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Bolivian flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Bolivian flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Bolivian flag to the top, then lowering the Bolivian Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Bolivian flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Bolivian flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Bolivian flag
The Bolivian 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 Bolivian 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 Bolivian flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Bolivian 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 Bolivian Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Bolivia
Location:
Central South America, southwest of Brazil
BolivianLand Size: 1,084,390 sq km
BolivianClimate / Weather : varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Bolivian Population : 8,724,156 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Bolivian Capital City: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary)
Bolivian GDP: $20.88 billion (2003 est.)
Bolivian Main Industries : mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing
Main Colors of the Bolivian Flag : red, yellow and green
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 of Bolivia & its Flag
1545 The Spanish conquer Bolivia
1561 Santa Cruz was founded by the Spaniard Nuflo de Chavez
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1819 General Simon Bolivar defeats Bolivian royalist forces in the Battle of Boyaca on August 7 and the Republic of Colombia (also known as Gran Colombia) is proclaimed on December 17, consisting of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador
1825 Bolivia declared its independence from Peru liberated by Simon Bolivar, for whom the Bolivian nation was later named
1907 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid went to Bolivia where they were gunned down by Bolivian soldiers after robbing a mine
1928 Oil was discovered in the foothills of the Andes at the western Bolivian region of the Chaco
1932-1935 The Chaco War with Paraguay - ironically it was discovered that there was no oil after all
1942 Jun 7, Victor Paz Estensorro founded the National Revolutionary Movement
1952-1956 Victor Paz Estensorro founder of the National Revolutionary Movement served his first of four terms as Bolivian president
Latin American guerrilla leader Jan, Ernesto "Che" Guevara began organizing the National Liberation Army in Bolivia
1967 Oct 9, Che Guevara was executed while attempting to incite revolution in Bolivia
1971-1978 Colonel Hugo Banzer Suarez ruled Bolivia as the military dictator
1982-1985 Hernan Siles Zuazo (1913-1996) became Bolivian president again and restored democracy after 18 years of military rule
2001 Jun 7, Former president Victor Paz Estensorro, founder of the National Revolutionary Movement, died at the age of 93
"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 Bolivian Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Bolivian 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!
