The flag of Guatemala, often referred to as the National Pavilion () or the Blue-and-White (), features two colors: sky blue and white. According to decree, the two sky blue stripes represents strength, justice, truth and loyalty. The white color signifies purity, integrity, firmness and light. 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.
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 Remington Rolling Block 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. It is one of four national flags among UN member states that features a firearm, along with those of Mozambique, Haiti, and Bolivia.
It is one of five national flags that use the ratio 5:8, with the others being Argentina, Palau, Poland, and Sweden.
History
The flag of the Federal Republic of Central America 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 17 August 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.
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.Flags of the World page "Guatemala" ,
These colours are also part of the Qanil, a Maya symbol in which each color represents a point of the compass, an element of nature and a part of the human being. Qanil means "seed" in K'iche', and is also one of the 20 days of the Tzolk'in 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.Flags of the World page "Guatemala"
Promoting the flag Since 1961, 17 August has been commemorated as Flag Day.
Colors
Color schemeMaya blueWhite Pantone 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
Ethnic group flags FlagUse Bandera de los Pueblos, flag attributed to indigenous peoples. Flag of the Maya people Flag of the Garifuna
Government flags
Military flags FlagUse Flag of the Minister of Defence Flag of the Chief of the General Staff
Political flags FlagUse Flag of the National Liberation Movement Flag of the Guatemalan Party of Labour Flag of the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity
Department flags Flag Department Alta Verapaz Baja Verapaz Chimaltenango Chiquimula El Progresso Escuintla Guatemala Huehuetenango Izabal Jalapa Jutiapa Petén Quetzaltenango Quiché Retalhuleu Sacatepéquez San Marcos Santa Rosa Sololá Suchitepéquez Totonicapán Zacapa
Historical flags The Guatemalan flag has changed throughout history, arriving to its current design in 1997. FlagDateUse 1524–1821 Flag of the Kingdom of Guatemala 1821–1823 Flag of the First Mexican Empire 1823–1824 Flag of the United Provinces of Central America 1824–1838 Flag of the Federal Republic of Central America 1825–1838 Flag of Guatemala within Central America 1838–1843 Flag of Guatemala 1838–18401848–1849 Flag of the State of Los Altos 1843–1851 Flag of Guatemala 1851–1858 Flag of Guatemala 1851–1858 State flag of Guatemala 1858–1871 Flag of Guatemala 1858–1871 State flag of Guatemala 1871–1968 State flag used until 1968, similar to the modern flag but with minor differences and additions of blue and white ribbons; some variants contained red ribbons or multiple 1871–1968 State flag of Guatemala (variant, used before ) 1968–1997 State flag of Guatemala 1997–present State flag of Guatemala
References