Costa Rican Symbols:

America Central" (Central America) is imprinted in silver letters on the blue ribbon at the top of the coat of arms. The two branches of myrtle closing the coat of arms represent the peace of Costa Rica. On the white ribbon that joins the branches, the title "Republica de Costa Rica" (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters. The seven stars above the volcanoes represent the seven provinces of Costa Rica.

The volcanoes represent the three Costa Rica's mountain range systems. They form a valley and divide the country in two parts. The two oceans represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The merchant ships sailing on each ocean represent the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. The rising sun represents the prosperity of Costa Rica. The small circles on both sides of the coat represent the coffee beans, "Golden Beans". The national shield was decreed on 1848 during the government of José Ma. Castro Madriz. This shield has suffered two changes: it eliminated all the elements of war and two stars were added to complete the seven provinces.

The Costa Rica Flag was officially adopted on 29 September, 1848. The flag of Costa Rica was designed based on the ideals of the French Revolution and the colors of the French National Flag. The Costa Rica flag has five horizontal stripes- the red one is 2/6 of the whole width. The blue color Costa Rica flag picture represents the sky, ample opportunities, intellectual thinking, eternity, infinite and religious ideals and spiritual desires. White symbolizes happiness, wisdom, power and beauty of the sky, clear thinking, driving force of initiatives and the peace of Costa Rica. Red stands for the warmth of the people, their bloodshed for freedom, generous attitude and vibrancy.

Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera
expresión de tu vida nos da;
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo
blanca y pura descansa la paz.

En la lucha tenaz,
de fecunda labor
que enrojece del hombre la faz,
conquistaron tus hijos
labriegos sencillos
eterno prestigio, estima y honor.

¡Salve, oh tierra gentil!
¡Salve, oh madre de amor!

Cuando alguno pretenda
tu gloria manchar,
verás a tu pueblo valiente y viril,
la tosca herramienta en arma trocar.

Salve oh Patria tú pródigo suelo,
dulce abrigo y sustento nos da;
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo
¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!

Lyric: José María Zeledón
Music: Manuel María Gutiérrez.

The "Guaria Morada" (Guarianthe skinneri), an orchid, was designated the National Flower of Costa Rica on June 15, 1939. The "Guaria Morada" grows on trees, roofs, and buildings. It gets nutrients from the air, rain, dust, and residues stored on the trunk of trees. These plants use trees as a means of support, but they are not parasites. Orchid flowers are large with fantastic shapes, amazing colors, and enchanting fragrances. They are an essential part of tradition and folklore. The flowers have adorned the homes of Costa Rica for centuries and associated with the beauty of the ladies of the country.

It was chosen as a tribute to Guanacaste for its annexation of the Nicoya Party to Costa Rica in 1824. It is also called ear pod tree “Enterolobium cyclocarpum”. This species is in danger of extinction due to the quality of the wood it provides; it is very common in Guanacaste area and was categorized National three in August, 1959. The earn pod tree is elegant; umbrella shaped; grows in isolation; provides a vast shade to protect from the powerful sun; and is resistant to the wind.

El Yigüirro (Turdus gray), was designated the national bird of Costa Rica in November, 1976 as a tribute of its powerful and melodic song that accompanies the entrance of the rainy season, also was seen as an important figure in the folklore, literature and music of Costa Rica.

The oxcart, designated National Labor Symbol on March 22, 1988, is a rustic strong vehicle with two compact wheels moved by two oxen. It can easily pass through muddy places, swamps, beaches, hills, curves, rocky mountains, and deep small rivers.
The oxcart integrated Costa Rica into international commerce by becoming the main means of export transportation after 1840. The first shipment of coffee to London was transported from the coffee plantations to Costa Rica's main ports by oxcart in 1843. Oxcarts transported coffee to Puntarenas on a small road between 1844 and 1846.

Painting oxcarts developed into a form of original Costa Rican art in the early 20th century. Cowherds decided to add life to oxcarts by hand-painting them with bright colors and geometrical figures. There are never two oxcarts painted the same. All of them contain changes in color tones and figures. This art has been passed from generation to generation up to the present time.

The painted oxcart has become a Costa Rican symbol throughout the world and has promoted economic development through the production of handicrafts in the Costa Rican cities of Sarchí and Puriscal.

The deer Odocoileus virginianus is a medium, thin and long legs. Its color is brown and the inside is white. Its name comes from its short white tail. In Costa Rica it is difficult to see because it is a species endangered by illegal hunting or for reasons of urban development, has been losing its habitat. It can live in sea level or at the foot of the mountains. Guanacaste has been their home, especially the Santa Rosa National Park.

The women wear White bodices and colorful frilly stain skirts. The men wear white shirts and pants, satin sashes, and cowboy hats, known as .“chonetes”.