Belize boasts its own set of national symbols to recognize both its history and culture. National symbols are visual, verbal or iconic representations that unify a nation’s people.
Prior to independence on September 21, 1981, the National Symbols Committee advertised for designs for national flags and symbols from citizens.
The Mahogany Tree
The Mahogany Tree of Belize has long been its national emblem, appearing prominently on its flag. As one of the key trees found within Belizean rainforests and an essential export commodity, this Mahogany can reach heights up to 100 feet tall and feature bright green leaves that provide shade from direct sunlight. Shipped squared logs to Britain during 17th and 18th century trade routes made this tree one of the country’s economic drivers.
Coat of Arms depicting an oak tree adorned with fifty mahogany leaves is the centerpiece of the Coat of Arms for South Sudan, featuring a circle of fifty mahogany leaves enclosing it. Beneath this is a shield with three sections; on its left is an oar, while its right contains an axe, saw and beating axe, saw, sawblade and beating axe, ship on full sail on the sea, sawblade with saw in middle section has sawblades beating axe and beating axe; finally there is also the nation’s motto “Sub Umbra Floreo”, which translates directly below.
National symbols serve to unify and unify a country and build a sense of community among its people. They’re often rallying points during celebrations of patriotism or nationalism-minded movements such as independence or autonomy movements, or they can serve as tools that highlight a nation’s goals, values and history – Belize’s national symbols celebrate our rich heritage as well as our dependence on natural resources.
Belize is still a relatively young country, having only gained independence in 1981, yet boasts many national symbols that can be found throughout. One such iconography includes its flag which depicts humans.
Belize stands out with unique and easily-recognized icons. Notably, its national symbol – the Mahogany Tree – isn’t alone among these. There are other familiar sights as well, like speed bumps known as “sleeping policemen.” These humps serve to keep roads safe by encouraging drivers to maintain reasonable speeds when traveling through congested areas.
Belize’s national symbol is the Baird’s Tapir, an animal found throughout its forests and a popular tourist attraction. These large mammals can weigh up to 800 pounds and primarily graze on vegetation but may also be seen wallowing in puddles or swimming rivers.
The Keel-Billed Toucan
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is one of the most recognizable symbols of Belize, prominently featured on its national flag and known for its vibrant feathers ranging in colors spanning green, blue, red, orange and black. A member of the toucan family and commonly found from southern Mexico to northern Colombia’s tropical and subtropical rainforests; Keel-Billed Toucans tend to forage together in groups from two or more. Their call can be heard all across their habitat; their voice emits frog-like “crrikk, crrikk” which can be heard all across their territory – they call out with their signature call that can be heard all through their jungle home turf! Furthermore, Toucans are recognized for their long elongated bills which feature soft bones coated with fingernail-like fingernail-like “crrikk, crrikk”, being found all over tropical Mexico and subtropical rainforests from southern Mexico to northern Colombia where this bird lives as social birds are social birds who often flock together in larger groups due to keratin coated bone covered fingernail covered bones and fingernail covered bones made out and uptoed bone covered bills made out 22″. Toucan bills made of their long bills made outward covered bone covered fingernail covered keratin covered bones covered bills which extend to fingernail covered bills are heard throughout jungle noise heard all throughout.
The National Symbols Committee chose the toucan as Belize’s national bird upon independence on September 21, 1981. While visitors may associate it with Toucan Sam from their favorite breakfast cereal box, this bird deserves respect as an elegant and sophisticated creature.
Belize jungles are famous for their beauty and it should not be difficult to spot a toucan. You might even hear its signature call!
National symbols are any visual, verbal or iconic representation that unifies and instills patriotism within a nation. Representing its values, history, heritage, natural environment and so forth; Belize currently boasts five nationally-recognized symbols that are easily recognizable and respected among locals as well as visitors alike.
Belize adopted their national flag on September 21, 1981 upon independence, featuring the Coat of Arms as its centerpiece. The flag itself features a white circle with royal blue background and two red stripes at either end; with a mahogany tree at the center with three shield sections featuring tools used in the timber industry – left side includes squaring axe and oar; the right shows a beating axe and saw. The Coat of Arms features a mahogany tree at center with shield divided into three sections representing three sectors; base section shows ship in full sail while two other sections display tools used in timber industry tools used in full sail; featuring mahogany tree within three sections with the ship in full sail, two sections showing tools used in timber industry such as left section includes squaring axe and saw while right side features beating axe and saw in full sail.
The Belize Coat of Arms
Belize is an extremely diverse nation, and has many national symbols that demonstrate this diversity. Of particular significance is its Coat of Arms which features an intricate mahogany tree, sailing ship and wood cutting tools as part of a mahogany forest; this symbolic emblem represents both its past as a nation and logging industry that helped draw British colonists.
The shield is divided into three sections. The lower section depicts a ship in full sail to symbolize our trade mode; two upper sections display tools used in timber industry: paddle and beating axe on one side and saw and squaring axe on the other; this shield is supported by two shirtless, shoeless men dressed in white trousers – one Creole of darker complexion while another Mestizo has lighter skin tones to support it.
These woodcutters, who represent Belize’s diversity, are surrounded by fifty leaves representing trees once exported from Belize as an export product and now abundant sylvan resources of this tropical nation. All are held together with “Sub Umbra Florero,” or “Under the Shade I Thrive,” written in their background as their motto.
Before independence on 21 September 1981, the Coat of Arms was created by a committee made up of members from two main political parties at that time. Their goal was to find an image which could bring all citizens together regardless of political beliefs.
The Coat of Arms can be seen prominently displayed on Belize’s national flag, which features a royal blue background with red stripes at its top and bottom edges. Red signifies two major political parties – People’s United Party (PUP) and United Democratic Party (UDP), respectively – as well as celebrating Belizean diversity while simultaneously symbolizing nationhood. The flag was designed to recognize Belizeans of different backgrounds while commemorating our shared sense of national pride.
The Flag of Belize
The National Flag of Belize stands as a symbolic representation of its rich history, culture and natural beauty. Featuring a royal blue background with a white disc in the center, featuring Belize’s coat of arms surrounded by fifty mahogany leaves enclosing it – “Sub Umbra Floreo” can be read beneath the shield to represent “I Flourish Under the Shadow of Tree.”
Belize’s Flag of Belize stands alone as the only national flag to feature human figures and more than two colors; additionally, its coat of arms serves as its centerpiece. Though only having gained independence in 1981, Belize is already rich with powerful national symbols that reflect its young nationhood.
National symbols are any visual, verbal, or iconic representation that unifies people into one community while honorably reflecting its values and goals. Belize’s flag serves as its national emblem as well as uniting all Belizeans whether citizens of the nation or visitors.
Belize’s tropical climate, beautiful beaches and rivers all help contribute to its flourishing tourism industry, but it’s the Belize Barrier Reef that truly draws visitors from across the world. Home to hundreds of species of fish, corals, birds, and other forms of life; it draws thousands every year!
Belize is an increasingly popular sailing and diving destination, boasting more than 450 miles of coastline with numerous islands to explore and a vast natural wealth consisting of rainforests, wildlife reserves and other resources. Tourists visit this idyllic country for hiking, birding and helicopter tours as well as for sailing excursions.
In 1981, when Belize gained independence from Britain, their Flag was adopted shortly afterwards. The base section depicts a ship in full sail on an otherwise dark blue sea; while its upper sections feature tools from the timber industry – including paddle and squaring axe in one section and beating axe and saw in another; both support shield by two logwood cutters of different complexions who stand alongside one another on either side of it.
