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COSTA RICA SYMBOLS
Costa Rica National Anthem
English verses by
Mary Elizabeth and Diccon Shaw
1
Noble country, our lives
Are revealed in your flying flag;
For in peace, white and pure, we live tranquil
Beneath the clear limpid blue of your sky.
2
And their faces are ruddy with hard work
In the fields beneath the life giving sun.
Though your sons are but farm workers, their labors eternal
Esteem, renown, and honor have won.
3
Hail, oh land of our birth!
Hail, oh gracious land we love!
4
If an enemy seeking to slander you or
Harms your name, then we will abandon our farms
And arise with fervor to take up our arms.
5
Oh, sweet country, our refuge and shelter;
How fertile your life giving soil!
May your people contended and peaceful
Unmolested continue their hard work.
Costa Rica National Flag
Lady Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno was the women who designed in 1848 the Costa Rica Nacional Flag .This flag was designed thinking on the colors of the French National Flag. The Costa Rica's flag has five horizontal stripes: Two blue stripes, two white stripes with 1/6 of width and the middle of them is the red stripe with 2/6 of widtht.
Each color of the National Flag represents important aspects of the Costa Rica :
Blue Stripes means the sky, perseverance to accomplish a personal dream or a goal that the people has in their lifes,spiritual desires, the eternity of the soul, etc White Stripes means clear ideas, happiness, wisdom, beauty and power of the soul, and the peace of Costa Rica, etc. Red Stripe means the love to live, the blood shed for freedom, friendly people, the warmth of Costa Rican.
in Castilian Spanish the word Flag has two meanings: "Bandera"when the people refer to a national flag and "Pabellón Nacional." is refering to national shield printed on the center of the red stripe of the Costa Rica National Flag.
Costa Rica National Flower
The Costa Rica National Flower is the Cattleya skinneri ("Guaria Morada" ); it was designated like National Flower on June 15, 1939. This flower is an orchid. The "Guaria Morada" or orchid is like a parasitic plant which grows on roofs, trees and buildings and use them as a means of support to get nutrients, but they are not parasites. Orchid flowers have wonder shapes, enchanting fragrances and amazing colors.The Guaria Morada is an important symbol for the Costa History and it is part of tradition and folklore.
In tropical countries are grown the most beautiful and numerous orchids. For the "campesinos" think this nacional flower brings them good luck and fortune. It evokes love, peace and familiar union as well as hope for the future and happiness.
Costa Rica National Tree
The "Guanacaste" (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the National Tree of Costa Rica and it was designated like Costa Rica National Tree on August 31, 1959. It grows along the coasts of Central America as well as Cuba and in the Antilleson lands. The word "Guanacaste" means "ear tree".
Costa Rica Nacional Tree is at sea level and up to 900 m. (2,952 ft.) Its height varies from 25 m. (82 ft.) to 50 m. (164 ft.) high., its diameter can vary between 2 m (6.6 ft.) to 3m. It has a robust appearance beautiful trunk .It belongs to the leguminous family and the subfamily of the Mimosas. Its wood is resistant to the water and easy to work with. It is used in carpentry and ornamental crafts.
This Costa Rica Nacional Symbol represents universal equilibrium, stability and growth and it is associated with spiritual consciousness.;These trees provide the view of the valleys and mountains.
Costa Rica National Bird
The "Yigüirro" (Turdus grayi), was designated as Costa Rica National Bird on November, 1976 It also known as the clay colored robin or gray thrush. The "Yigüirro" can be seen in all Costa Rica.This bird is beautiful, friendly and peaceful bird.
This bird in Costa Rica represents the fertility of the earth, the richness in flora and fauna of Costa Rican. April and May are the best months for the nesting . During this time, the "Yigüirro" does not sing and lays from two to three eggs.
Costa Rica National Shield
Jose María Castro Madriz, president of Costa Rica in (1847 - 1849) (1866 - 1868) decreed the creation of the National Shield on September 29, 1848 but twice this National Shield was redesigned . In 1906 the cannons, rifles and all war elements were taken off, and in 1964 two more provinces (Limon & Puntarenas) and two stars were added since Costa Rica.
Alajuela ,Heredia, Cartago, San José, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon the seven provinces of Costa Rica represent the seven stars above the volcanoes. "América Central" (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 "Republica de Costa Rica" (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters.
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."
Costa Rica Tipic Oxcart
The oxcart, designated National Labor Symbol on March 22, 1988, is a rustic strong vehicle with two compact wheels moved by two oxen. It can easily pass through muddy places, swamps, beaches, hills, curves, rocky mountains, and deep small rivers.
The oxcart integrated Costa Rica into international commerce by becoming the main means of export transportation after 1840. The first shipment of coffee to London was transported from the coffee plantations to Costa Rica's main ports by oxcart in 1843. Oxcarts transported coffee to Puntarenas on a small road between 1844 and 1846.
After World War II, the oxcart became obsolete due to new inventions. It has been used since then as an ornamental object although some farmers still use it during the coffee harvest season to carry coffee to processing plants in rural areas.
Painting oxcarts developed into a form of original Costa Rican art in the early 20th century. Cowherds decided to add life to oxcarts by hand painting them with bright colors and geometrical figures. There are never two oxcarts painted the same. All of them contain changes in color tones and figures. This art has been passed from generation to generation up to the present time.
The painted oxcart has become a Costa Rican symbol throughout the world and has promoted economic development through the production of handicrafts in the Costa Rican cities of Sarchí and Puriscal.
Oxcarts portray the peaceful tradition of Costa Rica and the arduous and fervent labor of its people. They are perceived as a window to Costa Rica's optimistic vision of life, humility, patience, sacrifice, and endurance to pursue goals in a pacific and progressive manner.
Oxcarts are the vehicles that brought economic wealth and original art to Costa Rica. They represent the simplicity and aspirations of rural Costa Rican people who in turn have become artisans willing to fulfill their destiny.
The Oxherd ("El Boyero")
The oxherd, the person who guides the oxen, is a remarkable worker who played a role in the history of Costa Rica. Oxherds worked under the rain, the sun, in swamps, in mud, day and night, in their effort to bring exports to the main ports of Costa Rica.
The oxherds represent the unwavering will of Costa Rican people of the early 1900s, who pursued their goals and success with persistence, a value that has proved essential for the development of democracy throughout the history of Costa Rica.
