The national symbols of Antioquia have their origins in the history and tradition of the department. The symbols of this Colombian state were made official at different times in its history, but its roots go back to the seventeenth century.
National symbols are representations of the ideals that define a region. Later, these symbols become representations of the region itself.
Flag of Antioquia
The national symbols of the department of Antioquia are the Antioquia flag, shield and anthem.
The shield has been part of the Antioquia tradition since it was declared as a state of the Republic of Colombia, in 1812.
For its part, the flag and the anthem were decreed official symbols in the middle of the last century. But both had been symbols long before their officialization.
You may also be interested in the legends and myths of Antioch.
The 3 national symbols of Antioquia
1- Flag
The Antioquia flag consists of two horizontal stripes of the same length: an upper white and a lower green.
The white stripe represents integrity, eloquence, purity, dignity, and triumph.
For its part, the color green is the symbol of hope, abundance, faith, service and the mountains, so abundant in the region.
It was made official as a national symbol on December 10, 1962. On this date the departmental assembly of Antioquia decreed that the region would have a representative flag and anthem.
It was declared through ordinance number 6, which celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Independence of Antioquia.
It is commonly accepted that the origin of the flag is in the University of Antioquia. The institution had used this same flag as a symbol almost since its founding, in 1803.
2- Shield
The shield of the department is the illustration of a matron seated next to a river. To your right is a banana tree, while to your left is a palm tree.
The matron dressed in indigenous attire represents the Antioquia race. Right behind her is a golden hill, which represents the wealth of the department. And in her right hand she holds a red cap that represents freedom.
The banana tree is a symbol of the abundance of the region. And the palm tree is a symbol of the triumphs obtained.
This shield was made official by the Senate chamber through decree number 21, on August 23, 1812.
By this time the department had just become a new Colombian state. For this reason, it was important to highlight the autonomy of the Antioquia department.
3- Regional anthem
The current antioqueño hymn was also decreed by ordinance number 6 of December 10, 1962. The lyrics belong to the poem El canto del antioqueño, written by Epifanio Mejía in 1868.
As soon as this poem was chosen as the lyrics of the hymn, a contest was opened to determine the musicalization.
Epifanio Mejia
This contest was won by the Cauca teacher Gonzalo Vidal, who is the author of the music of the current hymn.
In 2002 the municipality of Medellín adopted the anthem as its municipal anthem. Medellín being the capital of Antioquia, this represented the union of the region.
References
- Symbols of the department of Antioquia. (2014) antioquia.gov.co
- Departments of Colombia. (2015) todacolombia.com
- Symbols of Antioquia. (2009) soloantioquia2009.blogspot.com
- Antioquia department anthem. campusvirtualtech.net
- Flag of Antioquia. (2016) viajandox.com.co