National Symbols comes from an attempt to build a bond of unity within our nation and also shows off what’s special about our country. Although, there are so many special things about Belize, but the symbols below represent us in a defined manner and are even used on currency, stamps and other Belizean items.
Belize gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. In the preparations to become a sovereign nation it went through a democratic process to select its flag and national symbols. All symbols were selected with bi-partisan support from the two major political parties the P.U.P. and the U.D.P. Below are descriptions and images on each symbol.
Belize's National Bird - The Keel-Billed Toucan
The National Bird of Belize is the Keel-billed Toucan, known as the "bill bird" throughout Belize. The most obvious characteristic of the toucan is the huge yellow, orange, red, green and black bill. The toucan's bill allows the bird to feed on a variety of tropical forest fruits. The Keel-billed toucans are a very social... bird and can often be seen in flocks of six or more birds. They are found throughout Belize's forests and nest in holes in tree trunks. They lay one to four eggs and the parent birds take turns incubating the eggs. This bird displays a rapid, heavy flapping of the wings when flying and calls with a creek creek sound, similar to a frog. Toucans are primarily fruit eaters, feeding on a wide variety of tropical fruits of the forest. It feeds by snipping off the fruit and flipping its head back to gulp the fruit. Toucans will also feed on insects, lizards, snakes and event he eggs of smaller birds. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOUCAN >> READ HERE
Belize's National Flower - The Black Orchid
The National Flower of Belize is the Black Orchid. Every year a number of new orchids are discovered. There have been numerous orchids with dark patterned lips before called ‘black orchids’ which are truly exceptional. Orchid flowers are borne on stalks called pedicels, as are other flowers. During the growth and development of the flower, however, the pedicel rotates 180Á, so that the mature orchid flower is borne upside down. Of the flower's three sepals (outer floral whorls) and three petals (inner floral whorls), all the sepals and the two lateral petals are usually similar to one another in color and shape. The remaining petal, always distinct from them, is called the labellum, or lip; it is usually larger and different in color and shape, often being lobed or cupped. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLACK ORCHID>> READ HERE
The National Animal - The Tapir also known as Mountain Cow
The Tapir (Tapirus Bairdii) is the largest land mammal of Central America. Known as the 'mountain cow' in Belize, they are forest dwellers, active mostly at night as they forage along river banks and forest clearings. The tapir is the national animal of Belize. The tapir has a prehensile, long nose like an elephant or anteater, but is actually related to the horse and rhinoceros. Its general color is dusty brown with a white fringe around the eyes and lips, white tipped ears and occasional white patches of fur on the throat and chest. They feed on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of the low-growing shrubs. Its long, flexible upper lip and flat molars are well suited for foraging and swallowing twigs, nuts, and other tough plant tissues found throughout river basins. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TAPIR >> READ HERE
The National Tree - The Mahogany
The Mahogany Tree is one of the magnificent giants of the Belize rainforest. Rising straight and tall to over a hundred feet from great buttresses at the roots, it emerges above the canopy of the surrounding trees with a crown of large, shining green leaves. In the early months of the year, when the leaves fall and new red-brown growth appears, the tree can be spotted from a great distance. The tree puts out a great flush of small whitish flowers that blossom from dark fruits, which are pear-shaped capsules about six inches long. When the fruits mature they split into five valves, freeing large winged seeds which are carried away by the wind. They fall on the shaded protection of the forest floor and germinate to begin a new life cycle. The mahogany tree matures in 60 to 80 years. READ MORE ABOUT THE MAHOGANY TREE>> READ HERE
THE BELIZE FLAG
The red, white and blue Belize Flag is a symbol of the unity of our nation. Prior to Independence the People's United Party (PUP) proposed a blue flag with the Coat of Arms in a white circle. Because of the close association of the flag with the PUP, public opinion was divided as to its suitability to act as a unifying symbol.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) did not propose a flag, but called for a flag that could rally all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation. As a consequence, the bi-partisan National Symbols Committee invited citizens to submit designs for a National Flag.
The design selected by the Committee is a royal blue flag with one horizontal red stripe at the top, one at the bottom, and a white circle with the Coat of Arms in the center. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BELIZE FLAG>> READ HERE
