Flag of Guatemala

The flag of Guatemala, often referred to as "Pabellón Nacional" (literally, "National Flag") or "Azul y Blanco" ("Blue and White") features two colors: Sky blue and white. The two Sky blue stripes represent the fact that Guatemala is a land located between two oceans, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean sea); and the sky over the country (see Guatemala's national anthem). The white signifies peace and purity. The blue and white colors, like those of several other countries in the region, are based on the flag of the former Federal Republic of Central America.

Guatemala
UseState and war flag, state and naval ensign
Proportion5:8
Adopted1871
DesignA vertical triband of Maya blue (hoist-side and fly-side) and white with the National Emblem centered on the white band.
Variant flag of Guatemala
UseCivil flag and ensign
Proportion5:8
Adopted1871
DesignA vertical triband of Maya blue (hoist-side and fly-side) and white.

In the center of the flag is the Guatemalan coat of arms. It includes the resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala that symbolizes liberty; a parchment scroll bearing the date of Central America's independence from Spain, 15 September 1821; crossed rifles, indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by force if need be; a bay laurel crown, the symbol for victory; and crossed swords, representing honor. The flag is one of only four national flags of UN member states to feature a firearm, the others being those of Mozambique, Haiti, and Bolivia.

History

The Federal Republic of Central America flag was used in Guatemala until 1851, when a pro-Spanish faction took over and added the Spanish colors of red and yellow to the flag. The original colors were restored on August 17, 1871, but as vertical (rather than horizontal) stripes in order to distinguish it from other flags and with a new coat of arms.

The resplendent quetzal previously appeared in the 1830s in the flag of Los Altos, the sixth state in the Federal Republic.

Bandera de los Pueblos, flag attributed to indigenous peoples.

In 2008 a flag called the Bandera de Los Pueblos (Flag of indigenous peoples) was adopted by law and is shown together with the national flag of Guatemala in all events featuring the President of Guatemala since then. The flag is divided in four parts, red, yellow, white and black, each colour representing Xinca people, Garifuna people, Maya people, and Ladino people, respectively.[1]

These colours are also part of the Q'anil, a Maya symbol in which each color represents a point of the compass, an element of nature and a part of the human being. Q'anil means "seed" in Maya script, and is also used for one of the 20 days of the Maya calendar. Aimed at promoting "interculturality" in Guatemala, the Bandera de los Pueblos was received with disinterest by the leaders of the peoples, who do not seem to have been consulted.[2]

Color scheme Maya blue White
Pantone[3] 297 Safe
RGB 73-151-208 255-255-255
CMYK 64.9-27.4-0-18.4 0-0-0-0-0
Web colors 4997D0 FFFFFF

Government flags

Historical Flags

The Guatemalan Flag has changed throughout history, arriving to its current design in 1871.

  • 1825-1838 (Within Central America)
  • 1838-1843
  • 1843-1851
  • 1851-1858
  • 1851-1858 (State Flag)
  • 1858-1871
  • 1858-1871 (State Flag)
  • 1871
  • 1871-1968 (State Flag) (variant, used before c.1920s)

References
  1. Flags of the World page "Guatemala" ,Archived 2008-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Flags of the World page "Guatemala" Archived 2008-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Flags of the World page "Guatemala" Archived 2008-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
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