Guyana’s national symbols are the treasures that founded this beautiful land of many waters. Travel Guyana has embarked on a journey to enlighten you our wonderful guests on the treasures of Guyana.
The national symbols have been the pillars of Guyana’s history. The national flag of Guyana is the foremost national treasure; this treasure is cordially known as the Golden Arrowhead. The Golden Arrowhead is complimented by five colors which are listed in their proportional percentage:
- Green- which contributes to 50% of the national flag.
- Gold- which is 24% of the national flag.
- Red- which is 16% of the national flag.
- White- which is 6% of the national flag.
- Black- which is 4% of the national flag.
Each color of the national flag has its significance and by thus is complimented by a strong and essential Guyanese history. The significance of the Green color on the national flag symbolizes the Agriculture and diverse Forests of Guyana. The Gold represents the mineral resources of Guyana. The Red symbolizes the passion and apathetic mission of nation building which is Guyana’s top priority.
The White that borders the Golden Arrowhead represents the many rivers and waters that makes up most of Guyana’s landscape. Guyana is cordially known as the “land of many waters”. The Black symbolizes the strength and endurance of the people of Guyana.
The Golden Arrowhead was designed by Mr. Whitney Smith of the flag centre, located in Florida, USA.
The National Coat of Arms is another symbol that is exceptional in the history of Guyana. The Coat of Arms was designed by Mr. Alvin Bowman and Mr. Stanley Greaves and Mr. L.R. Borrows.
The Coat of Arms was selected with the recommendation of the National History and Arts Council and was approved by the College of Arms, located in England. It was accepted into the House of Assembly on Friday, 25th February, 1966.
The Coat of Arms comprises of ten (10) sections. The first section is the Amerindian Head-Dress that symbolizes the Amerindians who are the indigenous peoples of Guyana and who also were the first peoples to inhabit the land of Guyana.
The second section represents the Helmet which is the monarchial emblem that reveals that Guyana was a monarchy or colony that was ruled by a king or queen. This is so because Guyana was once a colony of England and was ruled by the queen of England.
The third sections are the two diamonds that represents the mineral resources of Guyana.
The fourth section entails the jaguar that is holding the pick –axe, which represents the labor of the Guyanese people.
The fifth section entails the other jaguar holding the stalk of the rice and sugar cane represents the two major agricultural crops which are sugar and rice.
The sixth section entails the shield that represents the defense of the Nation of Guyana.
The seventh section entails the three blue wavy lines that are found in the shield represents the numerous rivers of Guyana.
The eight section entails the Victoria Regia Lilly which is also located on the shield is cordially
known as the National Flower of Guyana. This National flower was found by the German Botanist, Mr. Robert Schomburgh.
The Canje Pheasant or the Hoatzin located at the bottom of the shield is cordially known as the National Bird of Guyana. It is a very rare bird that is relatively found precisely in the southern parts of the world, which is ideal as Guyana is located in South America. It can be seen in certain parts of Guyana which are namely the Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers, on the Canje area and the Berbice Rivers.
Located on the bottom of the Coat of Arms is the National Motto. The words of the National Motto reads: One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
Guyana's The National Anthem was compiled by the Reverend A.L Luker who was an Englishman residing in Guyana was the winner of the selected lyrics words of the National Anthem, the Reverend was the given a prize of Guy $500.00 for his entry. The Reverend was a Guyanese musician who initially complied the poem in its originate state into the lyrics of the National Anthem.
Travel would like to share with you our guests the zest and eloquence of the words of the National Anthem. The Anthem entails four stanzas and it reads:
Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains,
Made rich by the sunshine, and lush by the rains,
Set gem like and fair between mountains and sea
Your children salute you, dear land of the free.
Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore,
Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore,
This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we,
All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.
Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains,
We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains,
And ours is the glory their eyes did not see,
One land of six peoples, united and free.
Dear land of Guyana, to you will we give,
Our homage, our service, each day that we live
God guard you, great Mother, and make us to be
More worthy our heritage - land of the free.
The National Pledge is a very important National treasure of Guyana.
The National Pledge is essential travel Guyana invites you to experience the patriotism of the Guyanese people in reciting with us the true words of commitment to the nation of Guyana.
The National Pledge is repeated by patrons as they stand at attention with their right hands placed over their hearts. This shows that the Guyanese people are true to their country and their heritage.