The Flag of Uruguay - Description of the Uruguay Flag
As the above picture of the Uruguay Flag indicates the overall background is White and Sky Blue
The Uruguay Flag is described as follows:
Nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with bluet
There is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Uruguay flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Blue - the sky and blue coastal water - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Uruguay flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The Meaning & History of the Uruguay Flag - The official name of this country since the second constitution of 1917 is "Republica Oriental del Uruguay" meaning the republic east side or the Uruguay River
The flag of Uruguay was officially adopted on July 11, 1830
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
Uruguay Flag Etiquette
Uruguay 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 Uruguay as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Uruguay
State Flag of Uruguay
Military Flag of Uruguay (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Uruguay
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Uruguay Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Uruguay 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 Uruguay flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Uruguay should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Uruguay flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Uruguay, 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 Uruguay Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Uruguay flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Uruguay flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Uruguay flag to the top, then lowering the Uruguay Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Uruguay flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Uruguay flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Uruguay flag
The Uruguay 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 Uruguay 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 Uruguay flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Uruguay 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 Uruguay Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Uruguay
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Land Size of Uruguay : 173,620 sq km
Climate / Weather of Uruguay : warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Agricultural products : rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish
Uruguay Currency : Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Main Colors of the Uruguay Flag : White and Blue
Commonly mis-spelt as Uraguay
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 Uruguay & its Flag
The Arawak and Taino Indians first inhabited Uruguay
The Arawaks were tropical forest people who probably originated in South America and were related the people found anywhere from Panama to Brazil
The Arawaks were progressively wiped out by the after-effects of the Spanish conquest
1516 Juan Diaz de Solis became the first European to land in Uruguay
1500s Spanish colonists began to arrive in Uruguay
1600s-1700s Spanish and Portuguese settlers colonized Uruguay
1726 Spanish found Montevideo and take over Uruguay from the Portuguese
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
1777 Spanish colonists attacked Colonia to drive out the Portuguese
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1812-20 - Orientales, or Uruguayans from fight against Argentinian and Brazilian invaders
1800s Jose Gervasio Artigas organized an army to fight for independence from Spain
1811 Artigas laid siege to Montevideo
1814 Montevideo surrendered ending the control of Spain over Uruguay
1816 Portuguese troops attack Uruguayans
1825 A group of Uruguayan patriots revolt against Brazil
Argentina supported the patriots in their fight against Brazil
1828 The British intervened in the conflict between Uruguay and Brazil
1828 Uruguay became an independent nation
1830 Uruguay adopted its first constitution and Jose Fructuoso Rivera became the first president
1800s - 1900s Italian immigrants began to settle in Uruguay
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The Uruguay Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Uruguay 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!
