Flag of Guatemala
Flag ratio: (5:8)The flag of Guatemala is designed in two colors: sky blue and white. The white stripe between the two sky blue stripes represents the fact that Guatemala is a land located between two oceans, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The white color also signifies peace and purity.
The stripe pattern is based on the national flag of United Provinces of Central America, although there the stripes were horizontal and the two outer stripes were blue, rather than sky blue. The flags of the other countries that were part of the United Provinces of Central America follow the horizontal, blue pattern.
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 current flag design dates to 1871. The Resplendent Quetzal previously appeared in the flag of Los Altos, Central America in the 1830s.
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Guatemalan culture | National flags