The Guatemala national flag, also known as Pabellón Nacional, which means national flag, is the official national flag of Guatemala. Guatemala is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Honduras to the east, Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
The national flag of Guatemala is a triband on which two colors appear: blue and white. In the middle, the two edges of the white are the blue colors.
The national flag of Guatemala is known for its coat of arms, which features several symbols such as a quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala, two Remington rifles crossing each other and a permanent with the title “Liberty 15 of September of 1821”.
What is the shape of the Guatemalan national flag?
The Guatemalan national flag exhibits sharpness and keenness in its design. The emblem at the center of the flag, depicting the Guatemalan coat of arms, is intricately detailed with sharp edges and clear lines. The emblem includes elements like the quetzal bird, the scroll, and the crossed rifles, all finely rendered with precision.
The Guatemalan national flag embraces angularity through its rectangular shape and the geometric patterns on the emblem. The flag’s sides form right angles, and the coat of arms includes sharp corners and well-defined shapes, symbolizing order and stability.
The Guatemalan national flag does not display narrowing. Its width remains consistent from top to bottom, maintaining a balanced and proportional appearance that emphasizes the unity of the nation.
The Guatemalan national flag incorporates some curvature in the depiction of the quetzal bird’s wings and tail feathers in the coat of arms. These subtle curves add a sense of movement and vitality to the flag, representing freedom and resilience.
The Guatemalan national flag does not prominently feature roundness in its design. The elements on the coat of arms are primarily characterized by angular and straight shapes. However, the circular shape of the laurel wreath surrounding the emblem adds a touch of roundness and symbolizes victory.
The Guatemalan national flag combines straightness with angularity. The flag’s sides and the edges of the coat of arms are straight, while the emblem itself features sharp angles and lines. This combination represents the nation’s commitment to order and structure.
The Guatemalan national flag does not display crookedness. The elements in the coat of arms are precisely aligned, and the overall design is centered and balanced. This reflects Guatemala’s aspiration for honesty, fairness, and a well-governed society.
The Guatemalan national flag does not showcase stratification. It consists of a single layer of fabric with the coat of arms placed prominently in the center. This simple and unified design underscores Guatemala’s commitment to national unity and equality.
How wide is the Guatemalan national flag?
The width of the Guatemalan national flag holds a significant dimension, measuring 7.51 feet or 229 cm in standard scales.
How high is the Guatemalan national flag?
The height of the Guatemalan national flag stands at around 5 feet or 152 cm in standard scales.
What is the aspect ratio of the Guatemalan national flag?
The Guatemalan national flag adheres to an aspect ratio of 5:8, signifying a balanced and visually appealing design. (Later expanded to the 5 countries)
What colors does the Guatemalan national flag use?
The Guatemalan national flag has a total of 2 colors: maya blue and white. The exact color codes are given in the table below.
| Maya Blue | White | |
| HEX | #4997D0 | #FFFFFF |
| RGB | 73, 151, 208 | 255, 255, 255 |
| CMYK | 64.9, 100, 66, 13 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
| Pantone | 193 | N. A. |
| RAL | 3027 | N. A. |
History of the Guatemalan national flag
The history of the Guatemalan national flag dates back to its declaration as the official flag of the Republic of Guatemala on August 17, 1871. The flag’s design consists of a tricolor scheme of sky blue and white vertical stripes with the Guatemalan coat of arms at the center. This emblematic flag reflects Guatemala’s cultural heritage, unity, and aspirations as a sovereign nation.
When was the Guatemalan national flag created?
The modern version of the Guatemalan national flag, as we know it today, was officially adopted on August 17, 1871. This date marks a historic moment when Guatemala embraced a distinctive symbol that represents the country’s independence, values, and aspirations.
Who made the Guatemalan national flag?
The design of the Guatemalan national flag was inspired by the ideals of the country’s founding fathers, who sought to create a flag that would embody Guatemala’s rich history and cultural identity. The coat of arms at the center of the flag was created by Gabriel Llano y Figueroa, a talented Guatemalan artist, highlighting important elements of the nation’s history and geography.
How much did it cost to create the Guatemalan national flag?
The creation of the Guatemalan national flag was not commissioned to an individual or organization for monetary payment. Instead, it emerged from the collective effort and vision of Guatemala’s leaders.
What is the meaning of the Guatemalan national flag?
The national flag of Guatemala gives a simple interpretation. Its visual meaning is based on the blue color on either side of the flag representing the oceans, and the metallic white color in the middle, generally interpreted as a symbol of purity and peace. The use of the colors on the Guatemalan national flag is no coincidence, resembling those of the countries that were part of the Central American Federal Republic. The symbols on the Guatemalan national flag and their meanings are shown below.
- Coat of Arms: On the coat of arms is Guatemala’s national bird, the Quetzal, symbolizing independence and freedom. There are also two Remington rifles crossed with each other. These rifles were used in the Liberal Revolution of 1871, led by Justo Rufino Barrios, and symbolize the will to defend Guatemala’s interests. The crossed swords represent justice and honor. The Laurel wreath, which appears in the coat of arms, reflects victory. Finally, the title “Liberty 15 of September of 1821” on the parchment in the center of the coat of arms represents the day on which the Guatemalan people gained independence from Spain.
The colors on the Guatemalan national flag and their meanings are shown below.
- Maya blue: The blue colors represent the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans surrounding the Americas. Guatemala is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean, or more specifically the Caribbean Sea, to the east. Furthermore, the color blue on the national flag of Guatemala also represents the sky, which is why it is also called sky blue.
- White: The white color on the Guatemalan national flag represents purity, morality and peace.
How to fly the Guatemalan national flag?
The national flag of Guatemala is not subject to many rules. General rules apply, such as treating it with respect or allowing citizens to fly the national flag at its full width. The most important etiquette of the Guatemalan national flag is described below.
- Flying the Guatemalan national flag upside down is a serious emergency
- The Guatemalan national flag may be flown at half-mast in times of mourning
- The Guatemalan national flag can be flown vertically, but only when it is fully raised. Exceptions may be made for special events
Do Guatemalan citizens respect the Guatemalan national flag?
Yes. Guatemalan citizens do respect the Guatemalan national flag. Displaying the flag with honor and pride is a testament to the strong sense of patriotism and love for Guatemala among its people.
Is the Guatemalan national flag disrespectful?
No, the Guatemalan national flag is not disrespectful. On the contrary, it is a revered symbol that embodies Guatemala’s history, culture, and identity. Treating the flag with dignity and respect is a reflection of the nation’s values and reverence for its heritage.
What flags are similar to the Guatemalan national flag?
The Guatemalan national flag may be similar to other national flags due to its bicolor and triband characteristics. The following national flags are distinguished by their non-white colors. Below are the national flags that resemble the Guatemalan national flag.
- Peru: Of the colors on the Peruvian national flag, red is different from the blue on the Guatemalan national flag. Although the Peruvian national flag is similar to the Peruvian national flag, it has an aspect ratio of 2:3, so it differs from the Guatemalan national flag in this respect as well.
- Nigeria: The national flag of Nigeria is a 1:2 aspect ratio triband flag. The difference to the Guatemalan national flag is the color, apart from the aspect ratio. Instead of blue it has green, everything else is the same.