FLAG OF CUNDINAMARCA: HISTORY AND MEANING - HISTORY - 2024

The flag of Cundinamarca has undergone various changes throughout history. During a period, when the first demonstrations in favor of independence were being carried out, the department adopted the flag of Santafé de Bogotá.

This flag was composed of two horizontal stripes of the same dimensions, the upper one being yellow and the lower one being red.

The use of this flag was short-lived and was quickly replaced by another symbol, which was used as a standard in the battles against the Spanish. This flag consisted of a red cross on a yellow background.

In 1813 Antonio Nariño designed the flag that is used today in the department of Cundinamarca.

This flag consists of three stripes of the same thickness arranged horizontally. From top to bottom, the colors are sky blue, tan yellow, and scarlet red.

History

The history of the flag of Cundinamarca begins with the cry for independence in 1810. This demonstration took place on July 20 of that year in the city of Santafé de Bogotá, today Bogotá.

In this demonstration the participants wore cockades (circular insignia with hanging strips) and banners.

In these the colors red and yellow were observed, which were the colors of the flag of the New Kingdom of Granada; that was the name of one of the Spanish colonies in America.

For a short period, Cundinamarca adopted the flag of Santafé, which was made up of two horizontal stripes of the same dimensions. The upper stripe was yellow, while the lower stripe was red.

Flag of the Cundinamarca regiments

In 1811 the government of Cundinamarca created a new flag that was to be used in the state regiments. This symbol was the one used in the military campaigns against the Spanish.

It was a simple flag that kept the colors of the cockade of 1810. It was made up of a red cross on a yellow background.

In the barracks located to the left were the coats of arms of Cundinamarca, Castilla y León. The exact arrangement of these blazons is unknown.

Antonio Nariño and the flag of Cundinamarca

In 1813 Antonio Nariño, president of the Free State of Cundinamarca, accepted the task of designing the symbols that would represent the department; not only the flag but also the coat of arms.

The result was a tricolor flag, made up of three horizontal stripes of equal dimensions. The colors of this flag were sky blue, tan yellow and scarlet red.

In the middle of the flag was the coat of arms designed by Nariño himself.

The shield shows an eagle in a position to take flight. In one of its claws it holds a sword, while in the other it holds a grenade.

On the eagle the inscription "Die or Win" was read. At the bottom was written "Cundinamarca".

This flag was used until 1814, when the United Provinces of New Granada were formed. Years later this pavilion was to be used again.

Flag of the Federal State of Cundinamarca

In the 1850s, the Granadina Confederation was created and the Free State of Cundinamarca became the Federal State of Cundinamarca. With the new territorial division, new symbols were established, both shield and flag.

The flag was made up of three vertical stripes of the same dimensions. From left to right, the stripes were red, navy blue, and tan yellow.

In the blue strip was the coat of arms of the federal state. This shield was different from the one created by Nariño.

It was oval, with a blazon divided into three horizontal stripes. Behind the coat of arms you could see the Colombian flag and above it there was a flying eagle.

This flag was in force from June 15, 1857 to November 26, 1861.

Flag of the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca

In 1861 Colombia was renamed the United States of Colombia. Cundinamarca became the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca. With the new denomination also came new symbols for the state.

The flag of the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca was made up of three stripes, of which the first was larger than the others.

From top to bottom, the colors of this flag were tan yellow, navy blue, and red. In the center was the coat of arms.

This was similar to the one that had been used until then. It was oval and had an inscription that read "United States of Colombia" and "Sovereign State of Cundinamarca."

This flag remained in force from November 26, 1861 to August 5, 1886.

Flag of the department of Cundinamarca

In 1886 Cundinamarca became the department of Cundinamarca. With this, both the flag and the previous shield were abolished and the symbols that had been created by Antonio Nariño were retaken.

These symbols have been used since then until today. However, some changes were made to the shield design.

Instead of praying "Die or Win", now it says "Free and Independent Government of Cundinamarca."

The official flag of Cundinamarca does not bear the coat of arms, although there are cases in which its use is accepted.

For example, the flag displayed in the governor's office has the department's coat of arms embroidered.

Meaning

The yellow and red colors of the flag are inherited from the Spanish Crown, since these are the colors of the flag of that nation.

The yellow color represents justice, constancy, power, wealth, splendor and joy.

The color red symbolizes freedom, victory, bravery and honor. For its part, the azure blue, which was added in 1813, represents the mantle of the Virgin Mary.

References

1. Coat of arms of the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from wikipedia.org
2. Colombia - Departments and Capital District. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from crwflags.com
3. Cundinamarca Department. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from wikipedia.org
4. Cundinamarca Department (Colombia). Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from crwflags.com
5. Cundinamarca Independent State. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from crwflags.com
6. List of Colombian Flags. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from wikipedia.org
7. The 1813 Flag - Cundinamarca. Retrieved on November 15, 2017, from crwflag.com