Puerto Rican Flag

Puerto Rican Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

The Flag of Puerto Rica - Description of the Puerto Rican Flag
  • The description of the Puerto Rican Flag is as follows:
    • Five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white
    • A blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center
    • The design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
  • According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Puerto Rican flag represent the following:
    • White - peace and honesty
    • Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
    • Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
 

 
 
  • The basic style shown in the picture of the Puerto Rican flag is described as Trianglereflecting the central design of the flag pattern
  • All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
  • The shape and flag ratio of the Puerto Rican flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
  • The Meaning & History of the Puerto Rican Flag
    • The Puerto Rican flag was first used on December 22, 1895 during a meeting which advocated independence for Puerto Rico and Cuba from Spanish rule
    • The white star stands for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
    • The three sides of the equilateral triangle represent the three branches of the Republican government
    • The three red strips symbolize blood
    • The two white stripes symbolize the rights of man and the freedom of the individual
  • The Puerto Rican flag was adopted in July 25, 1952
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
  • The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
  • Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
  • The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
  • Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
  • Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
 
 
Puerto Rican Flag Etiquette
  • Puerto Rican Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
  • Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Puerto Rican as follows:
  • Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
    • National Flag of Puerto Rican
    • State Flag of Puerto Rican
    • Military Flag of Puerto Rican (in order of creation date)
    • Other Flag of Puerto Rican
  • The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Puerto Rican Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
  • The National flag of Puerto Rican should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
  • The Puerto Rican flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
  • A tattered or faded flag of Puerto Rican should be removed and replaced with a new flag
  • Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Puerto Rican flag is always flown the correct way up
  • A Flag of Puerto Rican, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
 
Flag History & Evolution:
  • The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
  • Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
  • Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
  • An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
  • The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
  • These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
  • The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
  • The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating anew flag
 
 
Terminology & Etiquette in Puerto Rican Flag display
  • Hoist - the act or function of raising the Puerto Rican flag, as on a rope
  • Half Staff or Half Mast - the Puerto Rican flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
    • Performed by first raising the Puerto Rican flag to the top, then lowering the Puerto Rican Flag halfway
  • Distress - denoted by flying the Puerto Rican flag upside-down
  • Manner of hoisting - The Puerto Rican flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
  • No disrespect should be shown to the Puerto Rican flag
  • The Puerto Rican flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
  • The Puerto Rican flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
  • The Puerto Rican flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
  • International Flag relating to Puerto Rican Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
  • We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Puerto Rican Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
 

National Flags of the World Map

Puerto Rica

Location: Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of the
Dominican Republic

 
 

Puerto Rica

  • Land Size of Puerto Rica : 8,959 sq km
  • Climate / Weather of Puerto Rica : tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
  • Puerto Rican Population : 3,897,960 (July 2004 est.)
  • Puerto Rican Capital City: San Juan
  • Puerto Rican GDP: $65.28 billion (2003 est.)
  • Main Industries : pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
  • Agricultural products : sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, chickens
  • Puerto Rican Currency : US dollar (USD)
  • Main Colors of the Puerto Rican Flag : Red, white and blue
  • Commonly mis-spelt as Puerta Rico
 
Concise History of Puerto Rica & its Flag
  • The indigenous inhabitants of Puerto Rica were the Chorotega, Guaymi, Huetares and Boruca Indians
  • 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at "Cariari," now known as Puerto Limon
  • 1525 - Spain begins conquest of Puerto Rica (Rich Coast)
  • 1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
  • 1800's - Northern coast falls to British buccaneers and British protectorate established over the coastal areas
  • 1821 - Puerto Rica gains independence from Spain
  • 1823 The United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states under General Manuel Jose Arce
  • 1823 - Puerto Rica becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
 
 

Puerto Rican Flag

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