10 Colombian symbols you should know before visiting the country

These are 10 Colombian symbols that explain the country’s history

After reading this list, your holiday will have a different perspective and you will understand the culture better.

1. National flag

Yes, we know every country has a flag, but do you know what each color represents on the Colombian flag? The yellow makes up half of the flag and represents the gold that used to be abundant in this land. The blue is a depiction of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and the red is for the blood spilled by those who fought for independence.

2. National Anthem

It was written by one of the presidents, back in 1887. The fun fact here is that it is played on national television and radio every day at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. It is one of those traditions only a resident would know about.

3. National flower

This country has the largest number of species of orchids (more than 4.000), so it makes sense that the orchid is one of the Colombian symbols. But it is the cattleya trianae (May Flower) that was officially named as the national flower, 80 years ago. Why this one? Because the central petal of the flower has a mix of yellow, blue and red, just like the national flag (Credencial Historia, 2001).

4. National tree

The wax palm is the tallest palm in the world, reaching up to 60 m, and living for more than 100 years. It is a native species from the Cocora Valley, one of the places you do not want to miss when you visit the country.

Years ago, the wax was used to make candles, the bark to build houses, and the fruit to feed cattle. It was also used on Palm Sunday, a Catholic celebration. However, the Government declared it a protected species in 1985 and one of the Colombian symbols.

5. National Hat

Sombrero vueltiao, or ‘turned hat”, is a woven craft made by the Zenu indigenous people that live in the current territories of Córdoba and Sucre. They use a type of cane (caña flecha) in strips, which are exposed to the sun and mud for many days to get the characteristic black and white tones. The most elaborate hats could have 54 strips and they are so tightly woven that you could fold them without damaging them.

6. National gem

The emerald is not officially the national gem of Colombia, but as this country has 60% of the world’s emerald market, it should be one of the Colombian symbols. The native Gachalá emerald is one of the largest: 5 cm long and weighing172 gr. Most stones come from Boyacá and Cundinamarca.

Colombia doesn’t have a national fruit either. However, the country boasts such an incredible variety of fresh fruits that you have to try some of the typical Colombian fruits on your trip.

7. National Bird

The Andean Condor was chosen as one of the Colombian symbols because it was important for the indigenous culture. They considered this massive bird as ‘the ruler of the upper world’ and it represented health and power. Its wingspan can exceed three meters and its lifespan surpasses 70 years.

8. National drink

It could not be anything other than coffee, one of the biggest international Colombian symbols. The region where most coffee is produced was declared a World Heritage Site in 2011 by UNESCO. Annual production is the third highest in the world with 10 million bags produced each year. However, it is the largest producer of Arabica beans, which means that it produces the best quality coffee in the world.

9. National sport

Have you heard about tejo? It is a unique sport that started in the small town of Turmequé, Boyacá, 500 years ago. Nowadays, there are many professional teams around the country and even in some parts of Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela. If you want to learn how and where to play one of the most popular Colombian symbols, just click here.

10. National dance

With a great variety of cultures represented all around the country, it is a hard task to select any specific dance to be one of the Colombian symbols. However, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cumbia is the national dance. The origins are a combination of indigenous, Hispanic and African cultures. Keep in mind that other countries such as Mexico and Argentina also have some traditional rhythms called cumbia, but the sounds of the instruments are different.