National symbols of Colombia

The National symbols of Colombia are the symbols which represent the national identity of the Republic of Colombia as a sovereign state. The national symbols intend to represent the Colombian identity by creating visual, verbal cultural iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, and history.

These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.

National Flag of Colombia

Flag of Colombia.

Main article: Flag of Colombia

The Colombian flag was defined in 1934 by the Decrees 861 of 1934, expedited by the Government of Colombia during the presidencies of General Pedro Nel Ospina and Enrique Olaya Herrera.

As defined in the Constitution of Colombia Decree number 861 of May 17, 1934 in Article 1, the pavilion, flag and standard of the Republic of Colombia is composed by the yellow, blue and red colors distributed in three horizontal stripes. The yellow top stripe is positioned in the upper area of the flag and has a width of half of the entire flag horizontally. The other two stripes the middle blue and the bottom red will each be a fourth of the total area of the flag. The yellow color represents Colombia's gold and natural wealthiness; the blue color represents the two oceans that border Colombia, the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, rivers and the sky; The red color represents the blood of the patriots that fought against the Spanish monarchy to gain the independence of Colombia. Authorized variations of the Colombian flag also represent the merchant flag of Colombia, the War flag of Colombia exclusively used by the Colombian Army. The flag with the Colombian coat of arms is of exclusive use of the armed institutions of Colombia.[1]

Coat of arms of Colombia

File:Colombia coa.png

Coat of arms of Colombia.

Main article: Coat of arms of Colombia

The coat of arms of Colombia is considered the symbols of all symbols in Colombia. The coat of arms integrates the major symbols for which the Colombian identity prevails. It was updated by Protocol based in Decree 1967 of 1991 as stated in the Colombian Constitution of 1991. The coat of arms of Colombia is only used in the center of the flag of the President of Colombia, war flag of Colombia and official documents. It can also be used for educational or display purposes within the guidelines of respect for the symbol.

The national bird

See also: Andean condor

Andean condor, the national bird of Colombia.

The national bird of Colombia is the Andean condor which is represented in the coat of arms posing over the centered shield with its wings wide open as covering the rest of the symbols under its wings. The condor holds in its peak a crown of laurels which symbolizes the achievement of the patriotic warriors for gaining the independence. The Andean condor inhabits the Andes mountain range. Although it is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, this species belongs to the New World vulture family Cathartidae. The condor is one of the largest birds on Earth with a wingspan ranging from 274–310 cm (108–122 in) and weighting up to 11–15 kg (24–33 lb) for males and 7.5–11 kg (16–24 lb) for females, but overall length can range from 117 to 135 cm (46 to 53 inches). The adult plumage is of a uniform black, with the exception of a frill of white feathers nearly surrounding the base of the neck and, especially in the male, large patches or bands of white on the wings which do not appear until the completion of the first moulting. As an adaptation for hygiene, the head and neck have few feathers, exposing the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and ultraviolet light at high altitudes, and are meticulously kept clean by the bird. The head is much flattened above. In the male it is crowned with a dark red caruncle or comb, while the skin of the neck in the male lies in folds, forming a wattle. The skin of the head and neck is capable of flushing noticeably in response to emotional state, which serves to communicate between individuals. Juveniles have greyish-brown general colouration. Head and neck of blackish skin and brown ruff.

Central shield

The coat of arms is centered and is divided into three sections; the top strip has a blue background with a golden flower of Granada blossoming with red grains. to each side of the flower there is a hollow golden horn inclined and overflowing towards the flower, the one on the left with tropical fruits native of Colombia and the one on the right with golden coins. The central strip has a silver background and a red Phrygian cap hanging from the top a spear meaning liberty from colonialism inspired on the French Revolution icon. the bottom stripe has a map depicting the sovereignty of Colombia over its territorial waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with a Full rigged ship in each side.

=Four flags

The shield is posing over four flags of Colombia diverging from the base in which the two upper ones form an angle of 90º degrees and separated from the bottom ones 15º degrees. These flags are posted towards the coat of arms' vertex.

Image:Ceroxylon quindiuense.jpg|Ceroxylon quindiuense is the national tree Image:Ctrianaedetail.jpg|Cattleya trianae is the national flower Image:Poporoquimbaya.jpg|Poporo Quimbaya is the symbol of the precolumbian culture Image:Vueltiao 004.jpg|Sombrero Vueltiao is a typic garment Image:Carriel Pel de Nutria.jpg|Carriel is a typic garment </gallery>

National anthem of Colombia

Main article: National Anthem of Colombia

Items related to the national identity

• 
  Colombian coffee has a Protected Designation of Origin
• 
  The largest Emerald in the world (Gachala Emerald). Colombian emeralds have the highest quality worlwide
• The Fique is the national natural fiber
  The Fique is the national natural fiber
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  Colombia is the main producer and exporter of roses worldwide
• 
  Colombia is the birthplace of modern eye refractive surgery
• Colombia is the country with the largest number of beauty contests, including among others Miss Colombia, Miss Coffee, Miss Bambuco, Miss Divi-divi, Miss Panela and Miss Donkey.
  Colombia is the country with the largest number of beauty contests, including among others Miss Colombia, Miss Coffee, Miss Bambuco, Miss Divi-divi, Miss Panela and Miss Donkey.
• 
  Paso Fino Horse is the national horse breed
• Porcham Terrier is the national dog breed
  Porcham Terrier is the national dog breed
• Colombia has the largest amount of endemisms (species that are not found naturally anywhere else) worldwide. About 10% of the species in the world live in Colombia. In the photo: Yellow-eared parrot
  Colombia has the largest amount of endemisms (species that are not found naturally anywhere else) worldwide. About 10% of the species in the world live in Colombia. In the photo: Yellow-eared parrot
• 
  Colombia has the largest amount of amphibian species in the world. In the photo the most venomous vertebrate ever Phyllobates terribilis
• 
  Colombia has the largest amount of terrestrial mammals species in the world. In the photo: the rarest mammal in South America, Colombian Weasel
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  Colombia has the largest amount of heliconia species worldwide