The Flag of Puerto Rica - Description of the Puerto Rican Flag
The description of the Puerto Rican Flag is as follows:
Five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white
A blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center
The design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Puerto Rican flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the Puerto Rican flag is described as Trianglereflecting 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 Puerto Rican flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The Meaning & History of the Puerto Rican Flag
The Puerto Rican flag was first used on December 22, 1895 during a meeting which advocated independence for Puerto Rico and Cuba from Spanish rule
The white star stands for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
The three sides of the equilateral triangle represent the three branches of the Republican government
The three red strips symbolize blood
The two white stripes symbolize the rights of man and the freedom of the individual
The Puerto Rican flag was adopted in July 25, 1952
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
Puerto Rican Flag Etiquette
Puerto Rican 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 Puerto Rican as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Puerto Rican
State Flag of Puerto Rican
Military Flag of Puerto Rican (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Puerto Rican
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Puerto Rican Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Puerto Rican 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 Puerto Rican flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Puerto Rican should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Puerto Rican flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Puerto Rican, 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 Puerto Rican Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Puerto Rican flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Puerto Rican flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Puerto Rican flag to the top, then lowering the Puerto Rican Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Puerto Rican flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Puerto Rican flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Puerto Rican flag
The Puerto Rican 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 Puerto Rican 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 Puerto Rican flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Puerto Rican 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 Puerto Rican Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Puerto Rica
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Land Size of Puerto Rica : 8,959 sq km
Climate / Weather of Puerto Rica : tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Puerto Rican Population : 3,897,960 (July 2004 est.)
Puerto Rican Capital City: San Juan
Puerto Rican GDP: $65.28 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
Main Colors of the Puerto Rican Flag : Red, white and blue
Commonly mis-spelt as Puerta Rico
Concise History of Puerto Rica & its Flag
The indigenous inhabitants of Puerto Rica were the Chorotega, Guaymi, Huetares and Boruca Indians
1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at "Cariari," now known as Puerto Limon
1525 - Spain begins conquest of Puerto Rica (Rich Coast)
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1800's - Northern coast falls to British buccaneers and British protectorate established over the coastal areas
1821 - Puerto Rica gains independence from Spain
1823 The United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states under General Manuel Jose Arce
1823 - Puerto Rica becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
"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
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The Puerto Rican Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Puerto Rican 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!
