As the
above picture of the Ecuador Flag indicates the background is
tri-color - three horizontal bands of yellow (top and double
width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the
center of the flag
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Ecuador flag represent the
following:
Yellow - a
symbol of generosity
Red -
hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue -
vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
All Flag
pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view,
from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Ecuador flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The
emblem on the Ecuador flag pictures the Ecuador coat of
arms
The Meaning
& History of the Ecuador Flag
The inspiration and design
for Ecuador's flag came from the instigator of South American
Independence, General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda (1750-1816)
It was then adopted by the Republics of Ecuador, Colombia, and
Venezuela
These three countries formed a confederation from
1822 until 1830 when they each became separate nations
The flag
has remained the same for the three sovereign states with only
slight differences distinguishing one flag from the others
The Coat of Arms of
Ecuador is in the shape of heart and rests on a bundle of
sheaves which is the Republic's insignia for dignity
The palm and
laurel branches between them symbolize victory
The condor
perched at the top offers the country shelter and protection
and stands ready to strike out against any enemies
Aries, Taurus,
Gemini, and Cancer represent parts of the Zodiac and the Sun
takes its place in the middle of these signs which are
historically significant to Ecuadorians
The Chimborazo
Mountain is displayed being the highest in the Andes Range
The steamboat "Guayas"
is also pictured and was the first of its kind in South
America.
The flag of Ecuador
was adopted on September 26, 1860
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
Ecuador
Flag Etiquette
Ecuador 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 Ecuador as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Ecuador
State Flag of
Ecuador
Military Flag of
Ecuador (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of
Ecuador
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Ecuador Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The
National flag of
Ecuador 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 Ecuador flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Ecuador should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Ecuador flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Ecuador, 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 Ecuador Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Ecuador flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Ecuador flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Ecuador flag to the top, then lowering the
Ecuador Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Ecuador flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Ecuador flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Ecuador flag
The Ecuador 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 Ecuador
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
Ecuador flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Ecuador
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 Ecuador Flag Etiquette has
provided a useful resource.
Ecuador
Location:
Western South America, bordering the
Pacific Ocean at the Equator,
between Colombia and Peru
Land Size of
Ecuador : 276,840 sq km
Climate / Weather
of Ecuador : tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at
higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Population of
Ecuador : 13,212,742 (July 2004 est.)
Capital City of
Ecuador : Quito
GDP of Ecuador :
$45.46 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries :
petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals
Main Colors of
Ecuador Flag : Yellow, blue and red
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
Ecuador & its Flag
1535 Spanish
conquistadors
overthrew the Incan
Empire and Ecuador came under the rule of Spain
1700s Spain
combined Ecuador with neighbouring territories into one large
colony called the Viceroyalty of New Granada
The
Viceroyalty of New Granada consisted of Colombia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, and Panama
Venezuelan
General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda (1750-1816) participated in
major political events for more than three decades
1810 -
Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1810 The
territories of the Viceroyalty of New Granada set up their own
independent governments
1814 Spain
sent troops to South America to quell the uprising of the
colonists
1819 General
Simon Bolivar defeats 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
1822 Spanish
rule in Ecuador ended after the defeat of the Spaniards in the
battle of Pichincha
1830 Ecuador
became an independent country
1859 Charles
Darwin published his book Origin of Species after studying a
variety of plant and animal life on the Galapagos Islands, which
belong to Ecuador
1861
Gabreial Garcia Moreno became president
1875
Gabreial Garcia Moreno was assassinated
1896 General
Eloy Alfaro took control of the government ending the power of
the Roman Catholic church over the government
1925 - 1948
Ecuador had 22 presidents or chiefs of state none of them served
a complete term due to economic and social problems
1963
Military rule
1966 End to
the military rule
1970 Velasco
suspended the constitution and began to govern as dictator
1972 Velasco
was overthrown by military leaders
1972 General
Guillermo Rodriguez Lara took power
1976
Rodriguez Lara was removed from office by the military
1979 Ecuador
began electing government officials again
"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
Flag and Nation of Ecuador
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Flag and Country of Ecuador 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!
