Culture

1.    Our Flag

Costa Rica's flag was designed and constituted in the year 1848, under the presidency of Jose Maria Castro Madriz. Since that year, the flag has always been three-colored. The First Lady, Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, designed the flag of Costa Rica in 1848. The flag was designed after the ideals of the French Revolution - freedom, equality, and brotherhood - and the colors of the French National Flag. Each color represents important aspects of Costa Rica: Blue means the sky, opportunities at reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance to accomplish a goal, infinite, eternity, and ideals of the religious and spiritual desires. White means clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and beauty of the sky, the driving force of initiatives to search for new endeavors, and the peace of Costa Rica. Red means the warmth of Costa Rican people, their love to live, their bloodshed for freedom, and their generous attitude.

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2.    Our national emblem

Central America is imprinted in silver letters on the blue ribbon at the top of the coat of arms. The two branches of myrtle closing the coat of arms represent the peace of Costa Rica. On the white ribbon that joins the branches, the title "República de Costa Rica" (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters. The seven stars above the volcanoes represent the seven provinces of Costa Rica.

The volcanoes represent the three Costa Rica's mountain range systems. They form a valley and divide the country in two parts. The two oceans represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The merchant ships sailing on each ocean represent the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. The rising sun represents the prosperity of Costa Rica.

The small circles on both sides of the coat represent the coffee beans, "Golden Beans." Beside this explanation about our national flag and our coat of arms, if your are interested to know more about them, please visit this site: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/cr.html

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3.    Our national flower

A beautiful kind of a purple orchid popularly called "Guaria Morada", was declared as national symbol in 1939. Some people say it represents the beauty of Costa Rican women. 

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4.    Our national tree

A tree called "Guanacaste" as the Province where it is found, was declared National tree in 1959, as a tribute for the province's joining to Costa Rica in 1825.

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