Flag of El Salvador - Description of the El Salvador Flag
As the above picture of the El Salvador Flag indicates the overall background isblue and white
The El Salvador flag is described as follows:
Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
The national coat of arms is centered in the white band
The coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the El Salvador flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Blue - the sea and the sky - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the El Salvador 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 El Salvador flag is described as 3:5
The emblem on the El Salvador flag pictures the coat of arms
The Meaning & History of the El Salvador Flag - The El Salvador Coat of Arms emblem depicts
The five flags five fraternal Central American countries - El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica
14 laurel leaves the number of States
The phrygian cap of liberty
5 volcanos represent the five nations in the Central American isthmus ( isthmus - a narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land )
The two oceans - Pacific & Atlantic
Equilateral triangle representing the equality of individuals
Rainbow representing Hope
The knot represents Unity
The flag of El Salvador was adopted on September 27, 1972
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
El Salvador Flag Etiquette
El Salvador 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 El Salvador as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of El Salvador
State Flag of El Salvador
Military Flag of El Salvador (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of El Salvador
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the El Salvador Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of El Salvador 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 El Salvador flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of El Salvador should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the El Salvador flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of El Salvador, 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 El Salvador Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the El Salvador flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the El Salvador flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the El Salvador flag to the top, then lowering the El Salvador Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the El Salvador flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The El Salvador flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the El Salvador flag
The El Salvador 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 El Salvador 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 El Salvador flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to El Salvador 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 El Salvador Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
El Salvador
Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Land Size of El Salvador : 20,720 sq km
Climate / Weather of El Salvador : tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Population of El Salvador : 6,587,541 (July 2004 est.)
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 El Salvador & its Flag
The indigenous inhabitants were the Pipils
1524 - Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado lands in El Salvador
1540 - Indigenous population crushed and El Salvador becomes a Spanish colony
El Salvador comes under control of the Captaincy General of Guatemala
1776 Spain encompassed all of its territories in south-east South America to create one large colony called the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1821 - El Salvador gains independence from Spain
Conflict ensues over territory's incorporation into Mexican empire under Creole general Agustin de Iturbide
1823 The United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states under General Manuel Jose Arce
1823 - El Salvador becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua 1840 - El Salvador becomes fully independent following the dissolution of the United Provinces of Central America
1859-63 - President Gerardo Barrios introduces coffee
1961 - Right-wing National Conciliation Party (PCN) comes to power after a military coup
1969 - El Salvador attacks and fights a brief war with Honduras
1977 - Guerrilla activities by the left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) intensify
1977 - General Carlos Romero elected president ousted in military coup in 1979
1984 - Duarte wins presidential election
1989 - Alfredo Cristiani voted president
December 15 1992 marked the official end of the internal conflict
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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
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The Flag and Nation of El Salvador
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of El Salvador 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!
