A review of the flag of Central America.
This is the flag used by the Federal Republic of
Central America, originally known as the United Provinces of Central America.
This entity existed from 1821 to 1838-41, with a short break in 1822-23, when
Central America was controlled by Mexico. The federation
consisted of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. For
a while, it also comprised Chiapas in southern Mexico.
This particular flag design was used from 1825 to 1841. The five volcanoes symbolize the five states of the federation. A sixth state, Los Altos, was created in 1838 (it encompassed Chiapas and parts of Guatemala), but at that point the union was already crumbling, and the change was never registered in the flag. The Phrygian cap, the Masonic triangle and the rainbow (probably also Masonic) were considered revolutionary symbols. So were the blue and white stripes. They are based on the flag of Argentina, which waged a war of independence against Spain shortly before Central America declared its own independence from the Spanish crown. The sun around the Phrygian cap could be inspired by the sun in the Argentine flag, although the design is very different.
Today, all former members of the federation have flags and/or coats of arms based on the federal ditto. They also share the same independence day (September 15).
Which finally brings me to the flag itself…
I actually bought this flag to a person who happens to collect Central American flags, for reasons best known to him/herself. The quality of the textile is tolerable, but I don't think it's good for outdoor use. This is a flag you put up on your living room wall, or something to that effect. It's “one sided”, by which I mean that the coat of arms is seen in mirror image at the reverse side. However, this is not a problem if you use the flag as wall decoration.
I bought an Israeli flag from the same vendor a few years ago, and it worked perfectly as a wall flower, until I had to take it down due to its highly contentious nature…
What I like best about magFlags is that they sell this stuff at all. I mean, these are not your everyday little trinkets you can buy in a biker store!
Five stars. Or volcanoes...
This particular flag design was used from 1825 to 1841. The five volcanoes symbolize the five states of the federation. A sixth state, Los Altos, was created in 1838 (it encompassed Chiapas and parts of Guatemala), but at that point the union was already crumbling, and the change was never registered in the flag. The Phrygian cap, the Masonic triangle and the rainbow (probably also Masonic) were considered revolutionary symbols. So were the blue and white stripes. They are based on the flag of Argentina, which waged a war of independence against Spain shortly before Central America declared its own independence from the Spanish crown. The sun around the Phrygian cap could be inspired by the sun in the Argentine flag, although the design is very different.
Today, all former members of the federation have flags and/or coats of arms based on the federal ditto. They also share the same independence day (September 15).
Which finally brings me to the flag itself…
I actually bought this flag to a person who happens to collect Central American flags, for reasons best known to him/herself. The quality of the textile is tolerable, but I don't think it's good for outdoor use. This is a flag you put up on your living room wall, or something to that effect. It's “one sided”, by which I mean that the coat of arms is seen in mirror image at the reverse side. However, this is not a problem if you use the flag as wall decoration.
I bought an Israeli flag from the same vendor a few years ago, and it worked perfectly as a wall flower, until I had to take it down due to its highly contentious nature…
What I like best about magFlags is that they sell this stuff at all. I mean, these are not your everyday little trinkets you can buy in a biker store!
Five stars. Or volcanoes...
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