The national symbols of Venezuela are those that identify this country as a sovereign nation. They are the representation of the spirit and the effort of the heroes to achieve the independence of Venezuela, which would become an example for the rest of Latin America.
They tend to be a common denominator of pride among fellow citizens and, in turn, synonymous with union between them. In national events it is customary to exalt them as a sign of respect, and each one hides patterns of great significance behind every minute detail.
flag
Despite having had several modifications until reaching the one that is hoisted today, its concept is based on the original design of Francisco de Miranda.
This design was hoisted for the first time on the Haitian flagship, the "Leander", on March 12, 1806 as part of Miranda's liberating expedition. On August 3 of the same year it would be hoisted for the first time in Venezuelan lands, specifically in the Vela de Coro.
It is made up of 3 symmetrical stripes with the colors yellow, blue and red, in that order respectively from top to bottom, with the shield in the upper left corner, eight white five-pointed stars in an arc in the central stripe and a proportion of 2:3.
The eighth star was added on March 7, 2006, when the then National Assembly passed the new Symbols Law.
Through this law, Bolívar's horse represented in the shield is also placed facing the front, as a sign of the search for the future.
The reason for the change is based on the decree made by the Liberator Simón Bolívar in Guayanese lands: that the freedom of said territory should be represented with an eighth star in the Venezuelan national symbol.
Meaning
Each color has a different meaning represented as follows:
Yellow
It is the first of the bars. Represents the riches of the Venezuelan lands, particularly gold.
blue
It represents the Caribbean Sea that bathes all the Venezuelan coasts.
Red
This color arises in honor of all the blood shed by the heroes and warriors that accompanied them during the independence battles.
For years, on March 12, the Flag Day was celebrated in commemoration of the first hoisting, but then by decree of the National Assembly, said celebration became August 3 because it was the day of the first hoisting in Venezuela.
Shield
It is officially called the Coat of Arms of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It has undergone several modifications, but has maintained the base of the one established in 1863 as the insignia of the federation.
It is divided into three barracks that paint the same colors as the flag. The left quarter is red and has a bunch of crops inside it, which is proportional to the number of states in the country, and symbolizes the union and the wealth of the country.
The right quarter is yellow. He carries a sword, a spear, a bow and arrow inside a quiver, a machete, and two national flags entwined by a laurel wreath, representing the nation's triumph over its oppressors.
Finally, the lower barracks is blue and shows an untamed white horse galloping to the left, an emblem of independence.
The Shield is bordered by an olive branch on the left and a palm branch on the right, tied below with a ribbon with the national tricolor.
On the blue strip of this ribbon the inscriptions "April 19, 1810" and "Independence" on the left are read in gold letters. To the right appear the phrases "February 20, 1859" and "Federation", and in the center the phrase "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" stands out.
As a symbol of abundance, its upper part has two cornucopias intertwined in the middle, distributed horizontally, full of tropical fruits and flowers.
National anthem
It is a patriotic song known by the name of "Gloria al bravo pueblo", composed in 1810. It was decreed the national anthem of Venezuela on May 25, 1881 by then-president Antonio Guzmán Blanco.
It was composed by Vicente Salias in the lyrics and Juan José Landaeta in the music, although it has had official modifications made by Eduardo Calcaño in 1881, Salvador Llamozas in 1911 and Juan Bautista Plaza in 1947.
That of Juan Bautista plaza is the official version currently used, but its true origin dates back to the revolution in times of the search for independence. As a result of the events of April 19, 1810, the patriotic society was formed in Caracas.
Its members, excited by the success of the song “Caraqueños, another era begins” with lyrics by Andrés Bello and music by Cayetano Carreño, suggested creating a theme to seize the moment and encourage more people to join the independence cause.
At that same moment the doctor and poet Juan Vicente Salias improvised what would become the beginning of the first verse of the Venezuelan national anthem: "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo".
Once independence was established, the song remained in the minds of the collective, becoming a spontaneous motto of freedom and joy.
The oldest known manuscript dates from the mid-nineteenth century, and is reproduced in the book The city and its music, by the historian and musician José Antonio Calcaño.
At the request of President Antonio Guzmán Blanco, Eduardo Calcaño was in charge of transcribing on paper what would be the first official version of the Venezuelan national anthem, a job he did without pretending to alter it or give it second expressions.
It quickly achieved world prestige and was immediately echoed in the Spanish ranks. In a document sent on July 4, 1810 by the Intendant of the Army and Royal Treasury in Venezuela to the Supreme Ministry of Finance, the following is recorded:
"The most scandalous thing was that in the allegorical songs that they composed and printed of their independence, they invited all of Spanish America to make common cause, and that they took Caracas as a model to lead revolutions."
By 1840, said national anthem was known as "the Venezuelan Marseillaise."
Lyrics
Chorus
Glory to the brave people
that the yoke threw
the Law respecting
virtue and honor (bis)
I
Down with chains! (Bis)
the lord shouted (bis)
and the poor man in his hut
Freedom asked:
to this holy name
trembled with dread
the vile selfishness
that again triumphed.
II
Let's shout with verve (bis)
Death to oppression! (Bis)
Faithful countrymen,
strength is union;
and from the Empyrean
the Supreme Author,
a sublime breath
the people infused.
III
United with ties (bis)
that the sky formed (bis)
America all
exists in nation;
and if despotism (bis)
raise your voice,
follow the example
that Caracas gave.
Related topics
National symbols of Mexico.
National symbols of Ecuador.
National symbols of Chile.
References
- Glory to the brave people. Retrieved on January 27, 2018 from Wikipedia.org.
- Patriotic symbols. Retrieved on January 27, 2018 from Gobiernoenlinea.ve.
- National Patriotic Symbols of Venezuela. Retrieved on January 27, 2018 from Notilogia.com