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
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In just a short period of time this
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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!
