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
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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
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