The Flag of Guatemala - Description of the Guatemalan Flag
As the above picture of the Guatemalan Flag indicates the overall background is sky blue and white
The Guatemalan flag is described as follows:
Three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan flag is described as 5:8
The emblem on the Guatemalan flag pictures the Guatemalan coat of arms
The coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal ( the national bird of Guatamala) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by war
framed by a wreath of olive leaves
The Meaning & History of the Guatemalan Flag
The white stripe between the two blue stripes originated with the national flag of United Central America however the Guatemalan version turns the stripes vertically rather than the original horizontal design
In 1823 Guatemala became part of the United Provinces of Central America which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
Until 1851 the Central American flag was used
In 1871 the stripes were changed from horizontal to vertical and the coat of arms were changed
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
Guatemalan Flag Etiquette
Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Guatemalan
State Flag of Guatemalan
Military Flag of Guatemalan (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Guatemalan
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Guatemalan Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Guatemalan should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Guatemalan flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Guatemalan, 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 Guatemalan Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Guatemalan flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Guatemalan flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Guatemalan flag to the top, then lowering the Guatemalan Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Guatemalan flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Guatemalan flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Guatemalan flag
The Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Guatemalan 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 Guatemalan Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Guatemala
Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Guatemalan Land Size : 108,430 sq km
Guatemalan Climate / Weather : tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Guatemalan Population : 14,280,596 (July 2004 est.)
Guatemalan Capital City: Guatemala
Guatemalan GDP: $56.53 billion (2003 est.)
Guatemalan Main Industries : sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Guatemalan Currency : quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD)
Main Colors of the Guatemalan Flag : sky blue and white
Commonly mis-spelt as Guatamalen
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 Guatemalan History & its Flag
The indigenous Guatemalan inhabitants were the Mayans
1523 - Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado led a Spanish expedition from Mexico and invaded Guatemala
Pedro de Alvarado established Spanish rule
1540 - Indigenous Guatemalan population crushed and Guatemala becomes a Spanish colony under the 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 - Guatemala gains independence from Spain
1821 Guatemala became a part of the Mexican empire
1823 Guatemala broke away from Mexico
1823 The United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states under General Manuel Jose Arce
1823 - Guatemala becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
1840 - Guatemala becomes fully independent following the dissolution of the United Provinces of Central America
1840 - Rafael Carrerea takes control as the first of many Guatemalan liberal dictators up to 1945
1945 A Guatemalan constitution was adopted which was subsequently amended on several occasions
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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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 Guatemalan Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Guatemalan 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!
