The National Flag of Guyana
is called "The Golden Arrowhead". It bears five colors - red, black, yellow, white
and green The flag has the unique design of two triangles (one within the other)
issuing from the same base. The outer triangle is gold-colored (arrow-shaped)
with a narrow border of white along two sides. The inner triangle is red with
a narrow strip of black bordering the sides. The background of the flag is green,
representing the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana. The white border
represents the rivers and water potential. The golden arrow represents Guyana's
mineral wealth and the black border, the endurance that will sustain the forward
thrust of the Guyanese people. The red of the flag represents the zeal and dynamic
nature of nation-building which lies before the young and independent Guyana.
The national Coat-of-Arms
of Guyana is a composite of motifs suggested in separate designs by three Guyanese
artists. The design is interpreted as follows:
The Amerindian
head-dress symbolizes the Amerindians as the indigenous people of the country.
The two diamonds at the side of the head-dress represent the country's mining
industry. The helmet is the monarchial insignia. The two jaguars holding a pick
axe, a sugar cane and a stalk of rice symbolize labor and the two main agricultural
industries of the country - sugar and rice. The shield which is decorated with
the National Flower, the Victoria Regia Lily, is to protect the nation. The
three blue wavy lines represent the many waters of Guyana. The Canje Pheasant,
the National Bird, at the bottom of the shield represents a rare bird found
principally in this part of the world and also the rich fauna of Guyana. The
streamer below the shield bears the Nation's Motto
"ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY".
The Coat of Arms
was selected on the recommendation of the National History and Arts Council
and approved by the College of Arms, England. It was accepted by the House of
Assembly on Friday, 25th February, 1966.
"The National Flower"
The Victoria Regia, a water lily, was discovered by Robert Schomburgk, a German
Botanist in 1837, while leading an expedition into the interior of what was
then British Guiana. In its native habitat of tropical America, the plant is
perennial. It grows in 4 to 6 feet of water, the base of the stems being situated
in soft mud. From each plant there are seldom more than 4 or 5 leaves. The largest
flowers can measure 10 inches to one foot in diameter. When first open, they
are white with a sweet smell rather like a ripe fruit; by the second day they
are fully expanded and a deeper pink; by the third day, they start to wither.
One of the other national symbols chosen for Guyana is a bird - the Hoatzin or Canje Pheasant. The adult Hoatzin is about 22 inches long from beak to tail. Its color is reddish-brown streaked with green. The under parts are pale brown. The feathers on its shoulder and sides are edged with creamy-white. There is a crest of very long feathers on its head which gives the bird an almost majestic look. The Hoatzin has a very short and very thick beak, and the skin around the crimson eye is of a pale blue color.This bird can be found throughout the year in areas along the banks of the Berbice River and its tributary, the Canje Creek, and to some extent, on the Abary, Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers. It feeds on the leaves of aquatic vegetation. The nesting period for the Hoatzin, commonly known as the Canje Pheasant, is usually from April to September.
"The National Anthem"
National Anthem of Guyana
Lyrics: A.L. Lucker Music: R.C.G. Potter
Dear land of Guyana, of
rivers and plains,
Made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains,
Set gemlike 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"
I pledge myself
to honor always the Flag of Guyana,
and to be loyal to my country,
to be obedient to the laws of Guyana,
to love my fellow citizens,
and to dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.
"SONG OF THE REPUBLIC"
Words by Cleveland W. Hamilton Music by Frank Daniels
From Pakaraima’s peaks of
pow’r
To Courentyne’s lush sands,
Her children pledge each faithful hour
To guard Guyana’s lands.
To foil the shock of rude invader
Who’d violate her earth,
To cherish and defend forever
The State that gave them birth.
We’ll forge a nation’s
might soul
Construct a nation’s frame;
Freedom our everlasting goal,
Courage and truth our aim,
Unyielding in our quest for peace
Like ancient heroes brave,
To strive and strive and never cease
With Strength beyond the slave.
Guyana, climb the glorious
perch
To fame, prosperity;
Join in the universal search
For world-wide comity.
Your people what soe’er their breed
Their hue or quality,
With one firm never changing creed
The nation’s unity.