FLAG

THE ONLY TWO COLORS OF THE GUATEMALAN FLAG IS SKY BLUE AND WHITE. THE BLUE STRIPES REPRESENT THE TWO OCEANS THAT SURROUND GUATEMALA. THE WHITE COLOR REPRESENTS PEACE AND PURITY. THE CENTER ALSO INCLUDES THE RESPREDENT QUETZAL WHICH IS THE NATIONAL BIRD. THE QUETZAL SEATS IN A PARCHMENT SCROLL STATING THE DATE OF CENTRAL AMERICA'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN. IN IT, IT SAYS "LEBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821". IT ALSO HAS TWO CROSSED RIFLES WHICH MEANS THAT GUATEMALA IS TENABLE WHEN THEY GET THREATENED. IT INCLUDES A BAY LAUREL CROWN TO REPRESENT VICTORY AND SWORDS THAT REPRESENT HONOR.

IT FIRST STARTED WITH THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FLAG THAT WAS USED IN GUATEMALA. IT THEN CHANGED WHEN A PRO-SPANISH FACTION TOOK OVER AND ADDED SPANISH COLORS LIKE RED AND YELLOW IN 1851. THE ORIGINAL COLORS WHERE RESTORED BUT IN VERTICAL STRIPES. THE KEY YEARS THAT THE NATIONAL FLAG CHANGES WAS IN 1838, 1843, 1851, 1858, AND 1871 UNTIL NOW.