Costa Rica National Anthem
Noble country, our lives
Are revealed in your flying flag;
For in peace, white and pure, we live in tranquility
Beneath the clear limpid blue of your sky.
And their faces are ruddy with hard work
In the fields beneath the life giving sun.
Though your sons are but farm workers, their labors eternal
Esteem, renown, and honor have won.
Hail, oh land of our birth!
Hail, oh gracious land we love!
If an enemy seeking to slander you
Harms your name, then we will abandon our farms
And arise with fervor to take up our arms.
Oh, sweet country, our refuge and shelter;
How fertile your life giving soil!
May your people contented and peaceful
Unmolested continue their hard work.
Lyrics: José María Zeledón
Music: Manuel María Gutiérrez.
The Anthem is sung in Spanish only.
Translation is provided to facilitate the understanding of its meaning.
National Flag:
Design: The First Lady of Costa Rica, Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, designed the flag of Costa Rica in 1848. The flag was designed after the ideals of the French Revolution - freedom, equality, and brotherhood - and the colors of the French National Flag.
Dimensions: The flag consists of five horizontal stripes: A red stripe located in the center, between two white stripes, which are between two blue stripes. The width of each stripe is 1/6 of the total width of the flag, except the red stripe, which is 2/6 of the total width .
Meaning: Each color represents important aspects of Costa Rica.
Blue means the sky, opportunities at reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance to accomplish a goal, infinite, eternity, and ideals of the religious and spiritual desires.
White means clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and beauty of the sky, the driving force of initiatives to search for new endeavors, and the peace of Costa Rica .
Red means the warmth of Costa Rican people, their love to live, their blood shed for freedom, and their generous attitude.
Usage: Flag in Castilian Spanish has two meanings: "Bandera" and "Pabellón Nacional." The first one refers to a national flag. The second one refers to a national flag with the national shield printed on the center of the red stripe.
Most High Schools and Primary schools, public offices, government offices, foreign missions and merchant ships must have the "Pabellón Nacional." For parties or civil activities people use the "Bandera."
National Shield:
The Honorable President Jose María Castro Madriz decreed the creation of the National Shield on September 29, 1848. The National Shield has been redesigned twice. In 1906 all the war elements (cannons, rifles, etc.) were taken off, and in 1964 two stars were added since Costa Rica gained two more provinces (Limon & Puntarenas). Those changes underlined the peaceful and civil nature of the Costa Rican people.
Meaning
"América 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 surrounding 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 : Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, and San José.
The volcanoes represent Costa Rica's three 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
National Flower, La Guaria Morada:
The "Guaria Morada" (Cattleya 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
The most beautiful and numerous orchids are grown in tropical countries. They are an essential part of tradition and folklore. There are nearly 15,000 species around the world, one of the plants with the largest variety in the world.
Meaning
The "Guaria Morada" has always been in Costa Rican homes for centuries. The "campesinos" cherish the flower for its beauty and they associate it with the beauty of Costa Rican ladies. It has given Costa Rican people an aesthetic sense for appreciating nature and pursuing its beauty.
According to Native Costa Rican traditions, the "Guaria Morada" brings fortune and good luck. It brings union and family understanding and channels the best cosmic experiences. It evokes peace and love as well as hope for the future. Its flower does not have a special fragrance because it is filled with dreams to be accomplished.
The National Tree, El Árbol de Guanacaste:
The "Guanacaste" (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), a native tree to Costa Rica, was designated the National Tree on August 31, 1959. It belongs to the leguminous family and the subfamily of the Mimosas. It is found along the coasts of Central America as well as Cuba and in the lowlands of the Antilles .
The "Guanacaste" grows on lands at sea level and up to 900 m 
. (2,952 ft.) Its height varies from 25 m. ( 82 ft.) to 50 m. ( 164 ft.) high. The diameter of its trunk is usually 2 m ( 6.6 ft.). It grows fast in low and sunny lands, especially in Guanacaste. It has a robust trunk and a beautiful appearance.
"Guanacaste" means "ear tree" since its compressed and curled leaves look like ears. During March and April, the "vainas", its fruit, turn dark brown as it ripens and then falls. Its fruit generally carries between 10 and 22 seeds. Its flower is white and rounded.
The Guanacoste's water resistant wood is easy to work with. It is used in carpentry and ornamental crafts. Its rich tannic bark is used as a cold medicine and coloring, annd the sap is used to relieve bronchitis. In the fields, it provides shade and food to cattle for they eat its branches, leaves, and fruit.
The Guanacoste's thick long branches grow horizontally. The tree not only supports and takes root on the soil, but also absorbs the surrounding soil forming bulky roots that spread around the surface.
Meaning
The tree represents universal equilibrium and sacred creation, the renewal of one's faith on earth, the power of Mother Nature, the power of free choice given by God and the transient condition of human life on earth.
A symbol of stability and growth; it provides a better perception of the valleys and mountains and represents the growing pride of Costa Rican identity.
The strong and firm roots represent the attachment to life. Its hard trunk represents the will and the branches are the protectors of creative peace. The top of the tree is associated with spiritual consciousness.
The National Bird, El Yigüirro :
The "Yigüirro" (Turdus grayi), also known as the clay colored robin or gray thrush, was designated National Bird on November, 1976. The "Yigüirro," found throughout Costa Rica, represents the fertility of the earth, the symbol of the rain fertilizing the earth,
the richness of Costa Rican soil. The "Yigüirro" sings to claim rain since it generally sings at the beginning of the rainy season and mates during that season.
The nesting season takes place between April and May. During this time, the "Yigüirro" does not sing and lays from two to three eggs. The "Yigüirro," a friendly and peaceful bird, is not afraid of humans, however, it is very protective of its brood.
The Oxcart :
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.
After World War II, the oxcart became obsolete due to newer inventions. It has been used since then as an ornamental object although some farmers still use it during the coffee harvest season to carry coffee to processing plants in rural areas.
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.
Meaning
Oxcarts portray the peaceful tradition of Costa Rica and the arduous and fervent labor of its people. They are perceived as a window to Costa Rica's optimistic vision of life, humility, patience, sacrifice, and endurance to pursue goals in a peaceful and progressive manner.
Oxcarts are the vehicles that brought economic wealth and original art to Costa Rica. They represent the simplicity and aspirations of rural Costa Rican people who in turn have become artisans willing to fulfill their destiny.
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