The National Symbols of Costa Rica demonstrate the facts, beliefs and aspirations of the Nation. But it will also be important to note that Costa Rica got its independence from Spain on September 15th 1821. Thus, every 15th of September is a National Holiday in the entire Costa Rica.
Costa Rican Colon is the official currency of the country. There is a good level of sense of pride inherent in the people of Costa Rica and this is demonstrated via different Costa Rican National Symbols. The National Anthem, National Flag, National Bird, Coat of Arm, National Tree, National Flower are some of the National Symbols of Costa Rica we will be looking at in this article.
The Costa Rican National Anthem: The lyrics of this Anthem were written by Jose Maria Zeledon Brenes, while the musical theme of the Anthem was composed by Manuel Maria Gutierrez. Although English is spoken to some length in Costa Rica, the official language is Spanish and the original version of the Country’s National Anthem is in Spanish. This Anthem has a great patriotic demonstration and effect amongst the citizens of the country.
National Flag: The National flag of Costa Rica is usually flown with enormous dignity and pride. This flag, which was adopted in 1906, precisely on November 27th, consists of five horizontal stripes. The former first lady, Pacifica Fernandez Oreamuno was the person that designed this flag whose colors are in the order of blue, white, red, white, and blue. The first design of this Costa Rican flag was in 1848.
With the exception of the red stripe which is 1/3 of the entire width of any given flag, the other stripes are 2/6 each within a flag. Some of the flags flown by the government include a coat of arm with a width-length ratio of 3:5. The blue sky that covers the entire Costa Rica is well represented by the blue band in the flag while the white stripe signifies the country’s peace and purity of ideas. The red color represents the strengths, optimism and poise with which every Costa Ricans defend the country’s numerous ideals.
The National Bird: In 1977, “Yiguirro” was adopted as the country’s national bird and as such became one of the National Symbols of Costa Rica. This bird, which is found all over Costa Rica, has a lot of significance to any average Costa Rican. It lives near people’s homes and has very powerful and melodious calls that signal the beginning of each raining season. The bird stands for the richness of the soil and fertility of the earth caused by immense rain that fails in this beautiful nation.
The Coat of Arms: The Costa Rican Coat of Arms has different symbolic meanings and its creation was decreed by President Jose Maria Castro Madriz in 1848. The three mountain ranges of Costa Rica are well represented by volcanoes in the coat of arms. Above this are two branches of myrtle that symbolizes peace and seven stars that stand for the seven provinces of Costa Rica.
The National Tree: This tree, the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), which is also found along the lowlands of the Antilles and in Cuba was chosen as the Costa Rican National Tree in August 31st 1959. The tree which was chosen as a tribute to the Guanacaste people, the last region to join the republic in 1825, has very wide shades which also symbolizes the protections every Costa Rican gets from the State.
The National Flower: “Cattleya skinneri” popularly called Guaria Morada is one of the National Symbols of Costa Rica. It was widely chosen through a vote of practically all Costa Ricans both old and young in 1937. This flower has been associated with beauties of the Costa Rican ladies and can easily be seen in many homes in Costa Rica.
These symbols of Costa Rica are of great significant to the Costa Ricans life and goes a long way in re-assuring them of the prides, dignity, strength and beauties that the country exhibit.