Belize's Treasured Icons: Exploring The Country's National Symbols

The national symbols of Belize are a source of pride for locals and are respected by tourists alike. The symbols were chosen by a National Symbols Committee, comprising the two major political parties, a few months before the country gained independence in 1981. The committee selected a national tree, bird, flower, and animal, while the flag was chosen through a competition. The national symbols of Belize include the Keel-Billed Toucan, the Mahogany Tree, the Black Orchid, and the Baird's Tapir or Mountain Cow. These symbols represent the country's natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and cultural heritage.

National flag: The flag of Belize is royal blue with red stripes and a white circle

The flag of Belize is a symbol of unity for the nation. The flag, designed by a committee, was adopted on 21 September 1981, the day Belize became independent. The flag is royal blue with red stripes at the top and bottom and a white circle at its centre. The white circle contains the Coat of Arms of Belize, which was obtained when the country was known as British Honduras in 1907. The Coat of Arms depicts the logging industry that first led to Belize's settlement. The Coat of Arms consists of two men, a mestizo and a man of African descent, who are woodcutters holding a beating axe and a paddle. These woodcutters are supporting a shield that is divided into three sections. The left section contains an oar and squaring axe, the right section contains a saw and a beating axe, and the base has a ship in full sail. The shield is supported by the two woodcutters, with the man on the right holding a beating axe over his right shoulder and the man on the left holding a paddle over his left shoulder.

Above the shield is a mahogany tree, which represents the country's economic foundation. The mahogany tree is also featured on the Belize flag and is considered the National Tree of Belize. The two men supporting the shield represent the log wood workers, with the fairer man carrying an axe to symbolise the log wood cutters, and the darker man carrying an oar to symbolise how the workers travelled by river to find and transport the log wood. Under the mahogany tree is a shield separated into three sections, with the left section containing an oar and squaring axe, the right section containing a saw and beating axe, and the base featuring a ship in full sail. The ship in full sail represents the logging industry that first led to Belize's settlement.

Directly below the shield is the national motto, "Sub Umbra Floreo", which is Latin for "Under the Shade I Flourish". This motto refers to the shade of the mahogany tree, and the mahogany industry that formed the basis of Belize's economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. The flag's colours are also those of the country's national parties, the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP). The red stripes were added to denote the colour of the opposition party.

National flower: The black orchid is one of over 100 orchid species in Belize

The black orchid (Prosthechea cochleata formerly Encyclia Cochleatum) is the national flower of Belize. It is one of over 100 orchid species found in the country. The orchid, which grows on trees in damp areas, has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the base. The "lip", which is the showiest petal of the flower, is deep purple-brown, almost black, with radiating purple veins. This gives the flower its name, as it is shaped like a valve of a clam shell.

The black orchid is native to Central America, the West Indies, Colombia, Venezuela, and southern Florida. It is an epiphytic, sympodial orchid that flowers nearly all year round. Its clustered, bulb-like stems vary in size, reaching up to six inches in length, and carry two or three leaves.

The black orchid is well-liked for its beauty and is easy to cultivate. It is small, even when in bloom, and may be missed if not carefully observed. The orchid typically grows on trees with damp areas, usually blooming from July to September.

The selection of the national flower of Belize was carried out by a bipartisan National Symbols committee a few months before the country's independence in September 1981. The committee chose the black orchid as the national flower, along with other national symbols such as the national tree, bird, and animal.

National tree: The mahogany tree is one of the giants of the Belize rainforest

The mahogany tree, scientifically known as Swietenia Macrophilla, is one of the giants of the Belize rainforest. It is a magnificent tree that can grow to impressive heights of over a hundred feet, towering above the canopy of surrounding trees. With its large, shining green leaves, the mahogany tree is a true giant and a symbol of Belize's economic foundation.

The history of the mahogany tree in Belize is closely tied to the country's economic past. As early as the 17th century, British settlers recognised the value of this tree and began exporting it to the United Kingdom in the form of squared logs. The mahogany tree was highly sought-after for its straight grain, durability, and reddish-brown colour, which, when polished, reveals a stunning red sheen. This made it ideal for crafting furniture and cabinets. Today, while the shipment of mahogany from Belize primarily consists of sawn lumber, the tree remains a valuable commodity for fine furniture makers around the world.

The mahogany tree is also featured prominently in Belize's Coat of Arms and flag, reflecting its historical and economic significance to the nation. In the Coat of Arms, a mahogany tree rises behind the shield, symbolising the country's economic foundation, with two men on either side representing log wood workers. The motto "Sub Umbra Floreo", which translates to "Under the Shade I Flourish", is a direct reference to flourishing under the shade of the mahogany tree. This motto encapsulates the idea that the mahogany industry was a key pillar of Belize's economy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The selection of the mahogany tree as the national tree of Belize was a thoughtful choice, honouring the country's natural resources, historical economic activities, and the resilience of its people. It serves as a reminder of the country's rich history and the importance of environmental conservation for future generations.

National bird: The keel-billed toucan is known for its colourful, canoe-shaped bill

The keel-billed toucan, or the "bill bird" as it is known locally, is the national bird of Belize. Its scientific name is Ramphastos Sulfuratus. The keel-billed toucan is known for its colourful, canoe-shaped bill, which is made up of a combination of yellow, orange, red, green, and black. The bill is large, averaging around 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in) in length, and makes up about one-third of the bird's overall 20-inch length. The keel-billed toucan is a colourful Latin American member of the toucan family. It is found in tropical jungles from southern Mexico to Ecuador, nesting and roosting in holes in tree trunks.

The keel-billed toucan is a very social bird, often seen in pairs or small groups, and is known for its playful behaviour. They are not the most gifted at flying and are more often heard than seen, with a distinctive frog-like croak. They are mostly black with bright yellow cheeks and chests, red under the tail, and a distinctive white patch at the base of the tail. They have blue feet and red feathers at the tip of their tails. The keel-billed toucan is an omnivorous forest bird, feeding on a variety of fruits, seeds, insects, invertebrates, lizards, snakes, and small birds and their eggs.

The keel-billed toucan is an important symbol of Belize, reflecting the country's natural environment and vibrant culture. Its colourful plumage and distinctive bill make it a striking and memorable national symbol. The keel-billed toucan is also threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and trapping for the pet trade, which makes its conservation and protection crucial.

The selection of the keel-billed toucan as the national bird of Belize highlights the country's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and the importance of this vibrant bird in the nation's culture and identity.

National animal: The Baird's tapir, or 'mountain cow', is the largest land mammal of the American tropics

The Baird's Tapir, or Mountain Cow, is the national animal of Belize. It is the largest land mammal of the American tropics, and is closely related to the horse and rhinoceros. The Baird's Tapir is stoutly built, with short legs, and is about the size of a donkey, weighing up to 600 pounds. Its dusty brown colouring is occasionally broken up by white patches of fur on the throat and chest, as well as a white fringe around the eyes and lips, and white-tipped ears.

The Baird's Tapir is a vegetarian, feeding on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of low-growing shrubs. They are strong swimmers and spend a lot of time in the water or mud shallows. They are also related to the rhinoceros, and like their larger cousins, they enjoy spending time in water or mud shallows.

The Baird's Tapir is native to a range of Central and South American countries, from Southern Mexico to Northern Colombia. Unfortunately, they are an endangered species, with hunting and deforestation being the main threats to their survival. However, they are protected under Belizean law, and hunting them is illegal.

The Baird's Tapir is an important symbol of Belize, embodying the country's natural environment and wildlife. They are also a source of national pride, with their strength, size, and unique characteristics setting them apart from other animals.

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