National Symbols of Costa Rica
Costa Rica has quite a few official national symbols – and while we all may be familiar with the flag and coat of arms, other representatives are not so well known. For example the country’s official animals are not quite what you would expect… Let’s take a closer look at the diverse and often surprising national symbols of Costa Rica!
THE FOUR NATIONAL ANIMALS
#1 – LAND ANIMAL Tapir? Jaguar? Howler Monkey? NO! The national land animal of Costa Rica is the White Tailed Deer, so crowned in 1995. The poor critter was facing local extinction due to land clearing and hunting, but efforts to revive the population have turned around its fate. This is the same White Tailed Deer that can be found from Canada through to the US and across central America down to areas of the Amazon. And while different areas have unique sub-species, all of the deer form a single specie that can interbreed. Today, the White Tailed Deer is common around areas of Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces.
#2 – BIRD Toucan? Scarlett Macaw? Quetzal? No! The national bird of Costa Rica is the humble Yigüirro, or the Clay Colored Thrush. A small creature of plain coloring, the Yigüirro has been representing Costa Rica since 1977. While otherwise unremarkable, the bird has a beautiful melodic song that is often heard towards the start of the rainy season. And because it prefers to live near homes and people, a big part of the Costa Rican population is familiar with its vocal performances.
#3 – MARINE ANIMAL A marine animal deserves as much recognition as a terrestrial one. S0 – is it a specie of a whale, dolphin, or sea turtle that was selected in 2014 to represent Costa Rica’s rich marine fauna? No! The national marine animal is the gentle Manatee, also known as a Sea Cow, a large aquatic mammal that can reach a weight of 600 kg or 1,200 lbs. and a length of 3.5 meters or 12 feet – though the largest individuals can weight 1,777 kg or more! These animals, of the North American Manatee species, frequent the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is thought the mermaid legends can be attributed to tired sailors seeing the Manatee tails poking out of the water – even the name of the Manatee order alludes to this fact – ‘SIRENIA’.
#4 – ONE MORE! Lastly, the Sloth lazily makes its way to the number 4 spot. Securing the crown in 2021, it is the newest addition to the list. Sloths are admired by tourists and locals alike, can be found all across Costa Rica, and have for a long time been accepted as a Costa Rican ‘mascot’. So big congrats to the Sloth! We have written an id-depth article about local Sloths here: Sloths of Costa Rica
NATIONAL FLOWER
The beautiful Purple Guaria Morada Orchid has been the national flower of Costa Rica since 1939. Growing high up in the canopy, it flowers at the start of each year and adds a brilliance of color to the landscape. The orchid has found its way into the hearts of the local people – farmers say its beauty reflects the beauty of Costa Rican women while folklore ties the orchid to good fortune, peace, love and hope. It is also said to strengthen bonds between families.
NATIONAL TREE
The Guanacaste tree is a common sight across Costa Rica, deriving its name from the peculiar shape of their seedpods. In the Nahuatl language, the word ‘quatl’ means ‘tree’ and the word ‘nacaztli’ means ‘ear’ – together they form the name Guanacaste which means ‘tree with ears’. The large seeds do in fact look like human ears! It was named the national tree in 1959 to honor the province of Guanacaste where the tree is a common source of shady relief, and to honor the province’s annexation into Costa Rica in 1824.
STONE SPHERES
We wrote an article about the Spheres Park and Stone Spheres – it provides very interesting tidbits of information about these mysterious objects. The spheres were made by the Diquis people, starting from around 600 AD, using rocks to hammer large boulders into spherical shapes which were later polished with sand. They are found around our local area, known as Diquis Delta, as well as on Caño Island, and vary in size from just a few centimetres to over 2 metres in diameter. Over 300 of them have been found in Costa Rica – many were moved to private collections, museums, public institutions like courts and universities, or public parks and green areas like these two parks. Few remain in their original locations.
A couple of theories exist about the purpose of the spheres – it is thought they lined approaches to the houses of local Chiefs, or that they represent planets and stars, or were used as navigational markers. And then there are the ‘alien artifacts’ or ‘they came from Atlantis’ theories. Some believe that the Diquis could make a magical potion that softened rock and allowed easy carving. Unfortunately the Diquis civilization disappeared soon after the Spanish conquest so we may never know the truth.
In 2014 the spheres have been named a national symbol of Costa Rica. In the same year, a nearby archeological area where the spheres have been found was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
NATIONAL THEATRE OF COSTA RICA
Finished in 1897 this architectural wonder is considered to be the finest building not only in San Jose but in the whole of Costa Rica. Its exquisite, neoclassical Italian marble exterior is coupled with a rich and lavish interior – and complimented by the finest of performances and exhibitions held within its walls. The front is adored with statues of Calderón de la Barca, a Spanish literary composer, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Other statues, including that of Chopin, can be found by the entry walkway and inside the theatre. The first performance to be held in the theatre was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s ‘Faust’. While the building is nearly 130 years old, it was not designated as a national symbol of Costa Rica until 2014.
The National Theatre rose during Costa Rica’s coffee boom, and its construction was paid for by a special coffee tax. At the time of construction, San Jose was a small town with fewer than 20,000 residents – so such a marvelous building was definitely a big deal!
Today, the theatre holds several performances each week and is home to the National Symphonic Orchestra. it has also become a tourist attraction in its own right.
THE MARIMBA
The marimba holds a dear place in the hearts of Costa Ricans. The percussion instrument, consisting of wooden bars whicih are struck by a mullet, arrived in the country in the late 1700s during colonial times. It quickly became adopted into the cultural landscape especially in the Guanacaste province and the Central Valley. The Church of Orosi holds the oldest national marimba recording, dating back to 1785.
Associated with national folklore, history, and religious & civic festivals, the instrument is often played along the guitar, quijongo (a type of a bow instrument), tambourine, cowbells and other percussion instruments – the atmosphere of such an ensemble is happy, lively, inviting and vibrant. In 1996, the marimba was declared the national musical instrument of Costa Rica.
COFFEE
Coffee and Costa Rica go together like horse and carriage. The local coffee beans are considered amongst the best in the world and are renowned for their taste, sustainability, and unique growing locations. Starbuck’s most expensive coffee is the local Tarrazú Geisha brand, served in only 48 locations. The reputation and beautiful packaging of the Costa Rican coffee make it a beautiful and sought-after gift. Coffee became a national symbol of Costa Rica in 2020.
The history of Costa Rica is invariably tied to coffee. Starting in 1779 the crop was planted along the hills and valleys of the country, the climate being PERFECT for the coffee plants which were introduced here directly from Ethiopia. The government gave out plots of land to encourage coffee production. Starting in the 1800s, coffee crops became very important to the economy of the nation surpassing cocoa, tobacco and sugar crops in the 1830s. Coffee wealth transformed and modernized the country, giving the populace the income needed to ensure a high standard of living and ability to provide their children with proper education, often abroad in Europe.
Today, Costa Rica produces 1% of the global coffee and the coffee exports are worth over $300 million dollars per year. So the coffee story is definitely NOT over, especially as global demand for high quality, sustainable product is on the increase.
THE CRESTONES
These magnificent and breathtaking rock formations, said to be named after their resemblance of rooster crests, have been named a national symbol of Costa Rica in 2011. Straddling Mount Chirripó 3,700 meters or 12,200 feet above sea level the Crestones attract hikers and nature enthusiasts from around the world. Protected as a part of Chirripó National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site umbrella, these natural wonders are embedded in an area treasured for its beauty and biodiversity.
THE OXCART
Our recent Oxcart article dives into the history and significance of this vital & revered mode of transport. The Costa Rican Oxcart, or Carreta, rose from its humble beginnings in the early 1800s to become one of the most striking and recognizable symbols of the country. In 2005 it was granted the coveted ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage‘ status by UNESCO, and in 1998 it became the national labor symbol of Costa Rica. Every bit of Costa Rican heritage is woven into the Oxcart – the country’s topography, agriculture, demographics, roads, weather, commerce, and art & cultural expression have all left their mark on the revered Carreta – a vehicle which has evolved to create a cozy niche within the landscape of Costa Rica.
The tradition of painting the Oxcarts was born in the early 1900s. It is said that a local craftsman, Joaquin Chaverry, used the Oxcart to take his family on Sunday drives. He wanted his family to travel in style so he started to decorate the Oxcart in various designs. As orange was the only paint available in the town, those designs were originally made in orange – and even to this day the color orange is the predominant color to be associated with the Costa Rican Oxcarts. In the past, and even today, the Oxcart is a symbol of skill, wealth and status – the more intricate, colorful and striking the design, the greater the apparent wealth and well-being of the family.
INDEPENDENCE TORCH
The Independence Torch is a beloved symbol of Costa Rica, making an appearance during the annual Independence Day celebrations. Costa Rica gained independence, from the Spanish Crown, on September 15 1821. Messengers carried the news, on foot, from Guatemala, through Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, finally reaching Costa Rica with the amazing news – and all those countries also gained independence on that same day.
Today, the torch makes the same journey – being passed relay-style as it travels from Guatemala to Costa Rica, being cheered on along the way. And in 2005 the Independence Torch was declared as a national symbol of Costa Rica.
NATIONAL FLAG
Costa Rica’s state flag has its beginning in 1848, selected some time following the break-up of the United Provinces of Central America. It was designed by Pacífica Fernández, the wife of President José María Castro Madriz, and was officially adopted on September 29, 1848. The colors reflect the values of the 1848 French Revolution (freedom, equality, brotherhood) and so the flag borrows France’s colors of red, blue and white:
BLUE represents the sky, intellect, religious & spiritual ideals, and perseverance.
WHITE represents happiness, wisdom, and clear thinking.
RED represents the bloodshed for freedom, the warmth of the Costa Rican people, and their love of life. It represents the sun casting first rays of Costa Rica’s true independence.
The National Flag is plain while the State Flag, below, includes the coat of arms.
NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS
The current Costa Rican Coat of Arms goes back to 1848, just like the National Flag, to the time of the Dr Jose Maria Castro Madriz presidency. The design of the Coat of Arms is attributed to the president’s wife, Pacifica Fernandez. Some changes were made since then – the elimination of military symbols, national flags and horn of plenty in 1906, addition of two stars in 1964 (taking the total from 5 to 7 to recognize each province by its own star ), and addition of smoke to the volcanoes in 1998. c/o wikicommons.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
The National Anthem of Costa Rica was declared a national symbol in 1949, an event that marked the teaching of the anthem becoming mandatory. The anthem is also known by its first lines, “Noble fatherland, your beautiful flag” or “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera“. The Costa Rican anthem was the first Central American anthem, with its current lyrics being composed in 1903.
The director of the Costa Rican Military Band, Manuel María Gutiérrez, was tasked with composing the anthem. He did so in a few days in his home in San Jose – initially he held a lot of trepidation as he had no experience and little time but, in the end, he came through.
Noble fatherland! Your beautiful flag
shows us the expression of your life;
under the limpid blue of your sky,
white and pure, rests peace.
In the tenacious struggle, of fecund labour,
that reddens the man’s face;
your children, simple farmhands, conquered
eternal prestige, esteem and honour.
Hail, oh gentle land!
Hail, oh mother of love!
When someone intends to tarnish your glory,
you will see your people, brave and virile,
the rustic tool into a weapon transform.
Hail, oh fatherland! Your prodigal soil
gives us sweet warmth and sustenance;
under the limpid blue of your sky,
may work and peace always live!
