Flag
The Venezuelan flag has been, with some changes, the same one than Francisco de Miranda designed in 1806. The yellow represents the richness of the land, the blue the seas that bath the coasts and the red, the bloodshed by the National Heroes on the war of independence. It is officially the same flag since April 20th, 1836.

The eight stars represent the provinces that joined the American Confederation of Venezuela: Caracas, Cumaná, Margarita, Barcelona, Barinas, Mérida Trujillo and Guayana.

Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms is partitioned in three sections: yellow, red and blue. The bands of the ribbon have equal width and have the inscriptions: “República de Venezuela; Independencia, 19 de Abril de 1810; Federación, 20 de Febrero de 1859”. Two crossed cornucopias, symbols of abundance, crown it.

The red section has a sheaf of wheat, which represents the union of the Venezuelan States.
The yellow section shows two crossed swords and two flags twined by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory.

The blue section shows an untamed white horse, symbol of liberty.

National Anthem
The National Anthem of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is known with the traditional name of ‘Glory to the brave people’.

With lyrics of Vicente Salias and music of Juan José Landaeta, ‘Glory to the brave people’ evokes the days that followed the April 19th 1810 declaration of Independence from Spain.

A Presidential Decree of Antonio Guzmán Blanco officially established it as the Venezuelan National Anthem on May 25th, 1881.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

The National Bird
It is represented by the ‘turpial’, known scientifically as ‘Icterus Icterus’. The turpial was declared ‘National Bird’ on May 23rd 1958. Its attractive colours characterize it, as the yellowed-orange in its body; black and white in its head and wings and small blue spots around its eyes. The turpial has as natural habitat warm places as the plains, thorny scrubs and forests.

The National Tree
It is represented by the ‘araguaney’, known scientifically as ‘Tabebula Chrysantha’. It was declared ‘National Tree’ on May 29th, 1948. Its scientific name is of indigenous origin, and is known as well as acapro, araguán or cañada, yellow flower and puy.

The National Flower
It is represented by the orchid, known scientifically as ‘Catleya Mossiae’, and was declared ‘National Flower’ on May 23rd 1951. Its scientific name pays homage to the Englishman William Cattley, who cultivated the first bulbs of this plant in the year of 1818, through some species sent from Brazil. The Catleya was found in Venezuela in 1839.

The orchid is also known as ‘Mayflower’.