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National Symbols
National Flower
The flowers participants in the contest had to meet certain requirements: being a Costa Rican,
originally from Americas and be incorporated into our customs, the winner turned out to be the
orchid, popularly known as "La Guaria Morada"(purple orchid) whose scientific name is Cattleya
skinneri. This orchid blossoms during February and March. It was decreed "national flower"
during the government of León Cortés Castro by the Secretariat of State for Development and
Agriculture (agreement number 24 June 15, 1939)
During one of the administrations of President Don José Figueres Ferrer, was issued a decree
which establishes the second week of March as "Week of Costa Rican orchid", the time when
the “Guaria” is at the height of its flowering.
The Guaria Morada is also the national flower of Costa Rica, because it is the flower of mystical
faith, which was inherited from the elderly. It is the favorite flower of Lent, Holy Week.
Traditionally, grandparents cultivated "Guaria Morada" on the walls of the internal courtyards
and roofs of many old houses, in gardens or backyards, but it was classic view them on the
porches or front walls of adobe or bahareque houses on clay tiles.
Typical Cart
The cart is a typical national symbol representing the work of Costa Rica. It was decreed a
national symbol on March 1988 during Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez administration. It was
considered as symbol to enclose a peaceful, stable, patient country and effective at work
. The decoration, including the yoke, is one of the genuine expressions of folk Costa Rican
people. The painted cart with its typical drawings is a unique phenomenon in the history of
Americas. As well as the ornaments of the sides, gates and wheels, bright and vivid colors are
a popular artistic expression, spontaneous and indigenous. Although the ornamental motifs
show obvious similarities, we can say there are no two carts painted exactly, there are always
changes in the details and accommodate the drawings, because so requires the artist's own
dignity. The wagon proclaims simplicity and aspirations of a rural Costa Rica and craft.
In the past century the cart was the most used to transport coffee in our country, it was the
appropriate way to transit through the dismal roads at that time. According to historians, the
cart had its origins at something like the Spaniards had brought and which was called "cureña",
which was used to mount artillery cannon.
The cart was used throughout Central America, however, ours is the only one that is decorated
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National Symbols
with geometric shapes, flowers and animals.
National Shield
The National Shield represents three volcanoes and a vast valley between two oceans and
each of them a merchant vessel. At the left side of the top line that marks the horizon there will
be a rising sun. Closing the shield two palms of myrtle united by a wide white ribbon which
contains golden letters with the legend: "Republic of Costa Rica." The space between the
volcanoes profile and the myrtle palms will have the seven stars of equal magnitude, placed in
an arc representing the provinces of San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Limon
and Puntarenas. The auction of the shield forms a blue ribbon as a crown in which a silver
letters containing the inscription "Central Americas."
The shield was promulgated on September 29, 1848, during the administration of Dr. Jose Ma.
Castro Madriz. This shield has undergone two changes: it removed all elements that war and
then had two stars were added to complete the seven, one for each province.
Typical Costumes
In Costa Rica several regions used costumes always saving features of ancient Indian tribes
that populated our country. The typical costume used by women is a dress with a width shore of
vivid and shiny colors. Also they use a braid in their hair, sandals and a flower on their head. The man uses a simple dress, vivid colors such as blue and yellow, a tissue in the neck and a
red girdle who takes the time to dance.
National Bird
The Yigüirro was declared a national bird since January 3, 1977, as a tribute to his powerful
and melodious song that accompanies the entrance of the rainy season.
It is one of the birds better known because, apart from its abundance, is very remarkable for his
singing at the beginning of the rainy season.
The reasons that motivated the declaration of yigüirro as National bird, turns around the
familiarity that this bird has been to Costa Ricans since time ago, because they live in close
proximity to houses and his name is often mentioned in typical songs, Stories and other literary
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National Symbols
works
The Flag
Costa Rica has had several flags from 1821 until the present. The tricolor flag, or which has
white, blue and red, was born in 1848, when Mrs. Pacífica Fernandez, wife of the president of
the republic at that time, Dr. Jose Ma. Castro Madriz, remanding the colors of France, she
created with her own hands our flag.
The flag colors of Costa Rica represent: Blue: The sky covering the country as a protective
mantle, goal of human beings when looking for the highest ideals and thinking about eternity. White: The peace that prevails in Costa Rica and the purity of his ideals. Red: The energy,
courage, and the detachment with which Costa Ricans defend their principles and ideals, as its
democratic system of life. Also, the warmth of Costa Rica, which extends to other countries in
the world.
National Tree
Guanacaste was declared a national tree in 1959. It was due to a campaign by the director of
the disappeared daily “The Tribune” as homage when Guanacaste decided to annex the
country.
This tree has thick gray bark, rough, and it is used in the tanneries for tanning hides; moreover,
is crushed, fermented and the fluid used to wash clothes. It has large leaves, composed of
many small leaves. The blade is kept green from eight to nine months in the year. The flowers
are small; in the form of small balls stamens very long yellowish white. They are born in small
groups in short leaves; are not showy, flowering when the tree is already covered with tender
foliage during the months of May and June; belong to the group of nectar-producing flowers. The fruits are circular vegetables and looks like an ear. Inhabits isolated in the plains of rivers
and streams, sometimes in soft knoll; sometimes used as an ornamental tree. It is an
endangered species as a quality wood, which is used for the manufacture of luxury furniture,
heavy and durable.
White-tailed deer 3/4
National Symbols
Declared National Symbol, during the administration of José María Figueres Olsen, May 2,
1995. This species is itself the American continent. It is a medium deer, and thin with long
legs. His color is brown and the inside is white. In Costa Rica is difficult to see it because it is a
species threatened with extinction by poaching and because urban development has pushed to
lose their habitat. You can live in sea level or on the slopes of the mountains. Guanacaste’
Savannas has been their home, especially the Santa Rosa National Park.
National Monument
The National Monument represents the day when the Costa Rican Juan Santamaria at the helm
won the war against the filibusters in Nicaragua in 1856. It represent the Central America
combat against foreign invader. The monument is located in the National Park in San Jose.
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