As the above picture of the Peru Flag indicates the overall background is Red and white
The Peruvian Flag is described as three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the Peruvian coat of arms centered in the white band
The Meaning & History of the Peru coat of arms features:
A shield with the image of a vicuna which is llama-like ruminant mammal of the central Andes which possesses a fine silky fleece
A cinchona tree (the source of quinine)
A yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins - a cornucopia is a cone-shaped ornament or receptacle with overflowing contents signifying prosperity - it is also called horn of plenty
All of theses items are framed by a green wreath symbolic of economy for the Tupac Katari ( an indigenous people of Peru )
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Peru flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The basic style shown in the picture of the Peru 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 Peruvian flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The emblem on the Peru flag pictures the Peruvian coat of arms
The flag was officially adopted on February 25, 1825
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
Peru Flag Etiquette
Peru 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 Peru as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Peru
State Flag of Peru
Military Flag of Peru (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Peru
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Peru Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Peru 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 Peru flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Peru should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Peru flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Peru, 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 Peru Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Peru flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Peru flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Peru flag to the top, then lowering the Peru Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Peru flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Peru flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Peru flag
The Peru 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 Peru 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 Peru flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Peru 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 Peru Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Peru
Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Land Size of Peru : 1.28 million sq km
Climate / Weather of Peru : varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes
Population of Peru : 27,544,305 (July 2004 est.)
Capital City of Peru : Lima
GDP of Peru : $146.9 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
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 Peru & its Flag
1200s-1500s The Incan Indians built a great empire in Peru
1520s The Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro led an expedition into Peru
1530s Pizarro conquered the Inca and made Peru a Spanish colony
1535 Pizarro founded Lima
1780 The Mestizos, led by Tupac Amaru, revolted against the rule of Spain 1781 The Spanish captured and executed Tupac Amaru and crushed the uprising
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1820 Jose de San Martin of Argentina invaded Peru to free the Peruvians from the Spanish rule
1821 Peru declared its independence from Spain
1823 Simon Bolivar led an army from Venezuela and Colombia into Peru to help fight the Spanish
1824 Antonio Jose de Sucre defeated the Spanish at Ayacucho
1826 Spain surrendered
1827 General Jose de la Mar became the first Peruvian president
1879 Spain recognizes the independence of Peru
1879 Peru went to war with Chile to aid Bolivia
1881 Chile occupied Lima
1883 The Treaty of Ancon ended the war - Chile was allowed to keep the Peruvian province of Tacna
1929 Chile returned Tacna to Peru
1975 Quechua, the language of the Inca, was made an official language along with Spanish of Peru
"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 Peru
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Peru 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!
