The Flag of Venezuela - Description of the Venezuelan Flag
As the above picture of the Venezuelan Flag indicates the overall background is Red, blue and yellow
The Venezuelan flag description is three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
The seven stars were added in 1836 and represent the seven provinces that supported Venezuela's independence in 1830
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Colombian flag represent the following:
Yellow - a symbol of generosity
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - 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 Venezuelan flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The emblem on the Venezuelan flag pictures seven white, five-pointed, stars centered in the blue band which represent the seven provinces that supported Venezuela's independence in 1830
The Meaning & History of the Venezuelan Flag
The inspiration and design for the Venezuelan Flag came from the instigator of South American Independence, General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda (1750-1816)
It was then adopted by the Republics of Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela
These three countries formed a confederation from 1822 until 1830 when they each became separate nations
The flag has remained the same for the three sovereign states with only slight differences distinguishing one flag from the others
The Venezuelan flag was adopted on April 20, 1836
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
Venezuelan Flag Etiquette
Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Venezuelan
State Flag of Venezuelan
Military Flag of Venezuelan (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Venezuelan
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Venezuelan Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Venezuelan should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Venezuelan flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Venezuelan, 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 Venezuelan Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Venezuelan flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Venezuelan flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Venezuelan flag to the top, then lowering the Venezuelan Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Venezuelan flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Venezuelan flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Venezuelan flag
The Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Venezuelan 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 Venezuelan Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Venezuela
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Venezuelan Land Size : 882,050 sq km
Venezuelan Climate / Weather : tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Venezuelan Population : 25,017,387 (July 2004 est.)
Venezuelan Capital City: Caracas
Venezuelan GDP: $117.9 billion (2003 est.)
Venezuelan Main Industries : petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly
Main Colors of the Venezuelan Flag : Red, blue and yellow
Commonly mis-spelt as Venezualan and Venazuelan
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 Venezuela & its Flag
1498 Christopher Columbus landed in Venezuela
1535 The Spanish conquistadors colonize the area of Venezuela
1528-1546 The King of Spain ( Charles I ) leased Venezuela to a German banking group to pay off his debts
1550 African slaves were shipped to Venezuela to work on plantations
1700s Spain combined Venezuela with neighboring territories into one large colony called the Viceroyalty of New Granada
The Viceroyalty of New Granada consisted of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama
Venezuelan General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda (1750-1816) participated in major political events for more than three decades
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1810 The territories of the Viceroyalty of New Granada set up their own independent governments
5 July 1811 - Venezuela declared its independence from Spain
1812 Simon Bolivar and other revolutionary leaders fled abroad
1814 Spain sent troops to South America to quell the uprising of the colonists
1819 General Simon Bolivar defeats royalist forces in the Battle of Boyaca on August 7 and the Republic of Colombia (also known as Gran Colombia) is proclaimed on December 17, consisting of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador
1821 Spain recognized Venezuela's independence after Simon Bolivar won a major victory against Spanish troops at Carabobo
Simon Bolivar established Gran Colombia and became the first president
1830 Ecuador and Venezuela left Gran Colombia to became totally independent
1831 General Jose Antonio Paez became the first president of Venezuela
1800s Venezuela was torn by civil war
1870-1888 Guzman Blanco ruled Venezuela bringing the civil wars to an end
1908-1935 Gomez ruled Venezuela with strong military backing
1950 Marcos Perez Jimenez became dictator
1958 Jimenez was forced into exile pathing the way for a Venezuelan democracy
1999 Venezuela adopted its current constitution
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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 Venezuelan Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Venezuelan 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!
