National emblems of Costa Rica

Importance of National Emblems The national symbols are the emblems that represent the hard-working spirit of the Costa Rican people, lover of peace and democracy. These traditions allow us to know our roots, but their experience identifies us as members of a community or a people. In the last century, no special importance was given to the way peoples lived their daily existence. For this reason most of the history books tell us about politics, economics, and coups d'état, but very few mention what the traditions and customs were like. The national symbol is a figure that represents a cultural and natural concept of a nation, elements of identity that countries have conceived to differentiate themselves from other countries. In Costa Rica, national symbols were born after the creation of the Republic; the first president, José María Castro Madriz, was concerned with providing the country with some symbols that reflect the ideals and feelings of Costa Ricans. National symbols or na

The stone spheres, a symbol of pre-Columbian culture  In 2014, Unesco chose the set of pre-Columbian cacicales settlements with Diquís stone spheres as a World Heritage Site. As a consequence, on July 16, 2014, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica declared them the national symbol of the country. The stone spheres of Costa Rica are a set of around 500 gabbro petro-spheres and other minerals, which have been found throughout the country, but mainly in the Río Grande de Térraba valley region (called Diquís, large water, in brunca language), in the south of the country. They are considered unique in the world for their abundance, size, geometric perfection, and organized formations. Made with abrasion techniques and stone instruments, although it is not yet completely clear how they were made. The National Theater The National Theater of Costa Rica, located in the city of San José, was declared in April 2018 as a National Symbol of the Historical Architectural Heritage and Cultural Free

The Crestones, symbol of natural wealth The Commission with Full Legislative Power II approved, on April 14, 2011, in second debate, the bill No. 17,437, which was discussed in the legislative current since 2009, and which was to declare the hills The Crestones as a National Symbol. It was sanctioned by President Laura Chinchilla Miranda on April 28, 2011. On September 5, 2011 it was published in the official newspaper La Gaceta under Law No. 8943, which declares them as such. In order to raise awareness of the natural and economic value that the promotion of natural beauties can generate to the country, this initiative was presented to the legislative current in July 2009, by the then liberationist deputy Edine von Herold, and later promoted by the Deputy of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), Gustavo Arias Navarro. Los Crestones hills are located in the Talamanca mountain range, one of the longest in the country with 190 kilometers in length, proper in the Chirripó National Park, declare

The marimba, symbol of national culture and tradition The marimba was declared a national instrument of Costa Rica by decree No. 25114-C published in La Gaceta No. 167, on September 3, 1996, during the government of José María Figueres Olsen, as a symbol of culture and tradition. His declaration was made in the midst of the celebrations for the 172nd anniversary of the Annexation of the Nicoya Party and to kick off the Cultural Week for the celebration of the Mayan New Year, so the Ministry of Culture of Costa Rica and the Mayan League of Guatemala organized a National Marimbas Festival that was held at the Melico Salazar Popular Theater. His objective was also to revalue the popular music played in marimbas, in an effort to make the new generations know their music and how to make this instrument. In 2017, during the government of Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, it was declared to be celebrated every November 30 as National Marimba Day.   The Torch of Independence, symbol of freedom It w

The typical cart, symbol of work The wagon was declared a National Symbol on March 22, 1988, through Decree No. 18197-C, published in La Gaceta No. 131 on July 11, 1988 during the presidency of Óscar Arias Sánchez. It is distinguished by its unique designs with which they are painted, with geometric figures, flowers and animals. In fact, although the decorations have obvious similarities, no two carts are painted exactly the same, as there are changes in the details and arrangement of the drawings. It is considered a symbol of national identity, and for this reason, the typical cart was declared a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco on November 24, 2005. The choice of the typical cart as a national symbol is based on the fact that it is considered to represent the culture of peace and work of the Costa Rican, humility, patience, sacrifice, and perseverance in the quest to achieve the objectives set. Its history dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, w

The Guanacaste tree, national tree The Guanacaste tree was declared the national tree of Costa Rica on August 31, 1959, during the government of Mario Echandi Jiménez. It was chosen as a tribute to the Guanacastecans, for its Annexation of the Nicoya Party to the country in 1824. In its natural state, the Guanacaste tree is distributed on both coasts, both the Pacific and the Atlantic, but it is more common in the Pacific, at altitudes of around 0 and 1,300 meters above sea level. Specimens have been found in Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the West Indies. It grows to fifteen meters high and the diameter of its trunk can be up to four meters. It is a deciduous tree. It is considered a lively tree, for its power and long life, ranging from 60 to 70 years. Its most notable feature is the extensive leafiness of its branches, and the permanent greenness of the crown. The flowers are small, they are born in small groups in short petioles, with very little showiness. Th