National Heritage

National Flag

 

 

National Flag and National Shield:

Design

In 1848, then-First Lady Pacifica Fernandez Oreamuno designed the first flag of Costa Rica. Inspired by the French Revolution, Oreamuno modeled the Costa Rican Flag after those ideals – freedom, equality and brotherhood – and chose the same colors as the French national flag: red, white and blue. Later that year, then-President Jose Maria Castro Madriz ordered the creation of Costa Rica’s National Shield. The National Shield, which has been redesigned twice, is also symbolic of Costa Rican principles.
In Spanish, there is a distinction between the “bandera nacional” and the “pabellon nacional.” In English, both mean flag, but the bandera nacional is the basic flag – the red, white, and blue stripes – while the pabellon nacional refers to the bandera decorated with the national shield. Most high schools and primary schools, public offices, government offices, foreign missions and merchant ships display the flag and shield while festivities and civil activities usually fly just the flag.

Dimensions

The Costa Rican flag displays five horizontal stripes: a red stripe located in the center; two white stripes placed above and below the red stripe; and two blue stripes at the top and bottom. The width of each white and blue stripe is 1/6 of the total width of the flag, while the red stripe is double the size at 2/6 the total width.

Symbolism

Each color in the Costa Rican flag represents important Costa Rican ideals. Blue represents the sky, opportunities within reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance, infinity, eternity, religious ideals and spiritual desires. White symbolizes clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and natural beauty, as well as peace and Costa Rican initiative. Red expresses the warmth of the Costa Rican people, their love of life, and blood spilled during the fight for freedom.
The National Shield displays three volcanoes and a valley between two oceans, each one with a merchant ship; these represent the nation’s three mountain ranges, the Central Valley, the country’s two coasts, and the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. A sun rises over the horizon, representing Costa Rica’s prosperity, and seven stars dot the blue sky – one for each of the country’s provinces. At top, a blue ribbon states “America Central,” while a white banner below reads “Republica de Costa Rica.” Two myrtle branches sit atop the banner; these symbolize Costa Rica’s peaceful nature. The shield is enclosed on both sides by small, golden circles that represent coffee, also known as “golden beans."



 

National Anthem

In 1852, the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom accredited, for the first time, their diplomatic representatives in Costa Rica. The Honorable President Juan Rafael Mora wanted to host a welcome ceremony for the two missions. Since Costa Rica did not have a National Anthem at that time, President Juan Rafael Mora requested Mr. Manuel María Gutierrez, Director of the Costa Rican National Army Orchestra, to compose the music of the National Anthem to be performed at the welcome ceremony.

The music of the National Anthem was first played at the Presidential Palace on June 11, 1852 at 12 p.m. The music does not have a military connotation since it was composed to welcome two diplomatic missions. Instead, the music evokes an act of union, solidarity, and peaceful agreements among nations. It conveys a patriotic feeling through which the country shows its identity and peaceful nature.

The Words & Their Meaning

In 1903 there was a public contest for all Costa Rican citizens who wanted to write the National Anthem. Mr. Jose Maria Zeledon won that contest. The National Anthem was sung and played for the first time on September 15, 1903. In 1949, those words and music became the official National Anthem. The words address the farm workers of the early 20th century who laid the foundation of Costa Rica's democracy and development. They lived in the countryside, cultivated crops, raised horses and cattle. The greatness of these people was not based on their possessions, but on the way they handled daily matters and conducted themselves. The blue sky and the fields were enough to find meaning in their lives. The hopes and dreams of Costa Rican people of that time depended on not only the future, strengthened by the efforts and success of the present, but also on the preservation of the traditions passed through generations. The anthem is sung in Spanish only. Translation is provided to facilitate understanding of its meaning.

 Anthem in Spanish

1
¡Noble Patria!, tu hermosa bandera,
expresion de tu vida nos da:
bajo el limpido azul de tu cielo,
blanca y pura descansa la paz.
2
En la lucha tenaz de fecunda labor
que enrojece del hombre la faz,
conquistaron tus hijos -labriegos sencillos-
eterno prestigio, estima y honor. (bis)
3
¡Salve, oh tierra gentil!
¡Salve, oh Madre de amor!
4
Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar,
veras a tu pueblo valiente y viril,
la tosca herramienta en arma trocar.
5
¡Salve, oh Patria! tu prodigo suelo
dulce abrigo y sustento nos da.
Bajo el limpido azul de tu cielo
¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!

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, dear country, our refuge and shelter;
How fertile your life-giving soil!
May your people contented and peaceful
Unmolested continue their hard work.

 

 National Labor Symbol

 

 

The 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.

 

National Motto

"Pura Vida"

Costa Rica does not have a national motto, but most would agree that its unofficial slogan is “pura vida,” meaning pure life.

 Though the origins of the phrase are not definite, Costa Ricans reportedly began using the expression after watching the 1956 Mexican movie titled "Pura Vida!" By 1970 the phrase was widely used throughout the country. Today, these two words can be used as a greeting, and generally symbolizes the Costa Rican idea of letting things go and simply enjoying life.

Pura vida has become so uniquely Costa Rican that the expression will always identify the speaker as Costa Rican. The phrase is important to locals, as it means much more than just pure life: throughout the country, the expression is used to express satisfaction, happiness and peace. It reminds Costa Ricans of their country’s beauty and the warmth of home. Today, pura vida has many idiomatic meanings and has been incorporated into everyday use:

To Greet Someone

When friends meet on the street, shake hands, or wave hello, it is common to say "pura vida!" In English, this is similar to greeting someone with “Hey, how are you?” or “What’s up?” A response of “pura vida!” implies that all is well.

To Say Good-bye

When Costa Ricans leave a restaurant, friend’s house, or bar, it is common to hear “pura vida!” If lots of fun was had, another farewell is “Hasta luego, todo estuvo pura vida,” or “See you later, everything was amazing!”

To Show Appreciation (for a person, object or situation)

Costa Ricans often use “pura vida” to express their satisfaction with a situation, object, or situation. For example, if someone says “Usted es pura vida,” that means “You are a great person.”

To Say Thank You or You’re Welcome

In informal situations, pura vida may be used to say thank you or you’re welcome. It is not uncommon to hear both meanings at the same time, for example when exiting a taxi, the passenger may say “pura vida” as thank you, while the driver responds with the expression as you’re welcome.

National Tree

 

The Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is best known for its massive hemispheric crown – a cascade of greenery wider than the tree is tall. Declared the national tree on August 31, 1959, the Guanacaste is native to Costa Rica and is a member of the legume family. It is found along the coasts of Central America, in Cuba and in the lowlands of the Antilles.

Its height varies from 82 to 164 feet, while the trunk is usually six to seven feet in diameter. The term Guanacaste means ear tree, as the species has curled seedpods that resemble ears. The tree is an unmistakable addition to the landscape, especially in the hot and sunny province of Guanacaste: its wide, green canopy resembles a portobello mushroom cap.

The Guanacaste tree is an important part of Costa Rican culture. Its water-resistant wood is easy to work with and commonly used for making handicrafts as well as oxcart wheels and furniture. As a medicinal plant, the tree has been used to treat lung infections and colds; an extract from the bark is also used as a soap substitute.

The Guanacaste tree is said to represent universal equilibrium and sacred creation, the renewal of faith, the power of Mother Nature, and the transient condition of human life. It is a symbol of stability and growth, and its strong and firm roots represent the attachment to life. Its hard trunk expresses human will and its branches are the protectors of creative peace. The tree’s canopy is associated with spiritual consciousness.

 

 National Flower

Costa Rica’s national flower, the guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), is an exquisite orchid known for its purple hues and diamond-like shimmer. The plant, which blooms from January through April, was designated as Costa Rica's national flower on June 15, 1939.

The guaria morada is most concentrated along the Pacific coast and in pre-montane zones between 1,600 and 3,300 feet above sea level. Due to heavy collection in the past, the flower may be hard to spot in the wild, where it grows on tree branches. Guaria morada are a type of epiphyte; the purple air plant merely uses trees as support. The national flower is still popular as an ornamental plant and local nurseries always have them on offer.

The guaria morada has long been an important feature in Costa Rican homes. Many families are proud to grow the beautiful species in their yards, and yearly orchid shows always overflow with perfect specimens. The guaria morada is sometimes associated with the beauty of the Costa Rican people, and the purple bloom also represents the abundance, fragility and elegance of nature.

According to local Costa Rican tradition, the guaria morada brings fortune and good luck. It evokes peace and love as well as hope for the future. Its flower is said to have only a mild fragrance because it is filled with dreams to be fulfilled.