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The emblem on the Guatemalan flag pictures the Guatemalan coat of arms The coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal ( the national bird of Guatamala) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by war framed by a wreath of olive leaves The Meaning & History of the Guatemalan Flag The white stripe between the two blue stripes originated with the national flag of United Central America however the Guatemalan version turns the stripes vertically rather than the original horizontal design |
In 1823 Guatemala became part of the United Provinces of Central America which also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua Until 1851 the Central American flag was used In 1871 the stripes were changed from horizontal to vertical and the coat of arms were changed |
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