National Symbols
National Anthem
Salve a ti
¡Salve a ti, Nicaragua! En tu suelo
ya no ruge la voz del cañón,
ni se tiñe con sangre de hermanos
tu glorioso pendón bicolor.
Brille hermosa la paz en tu cielo,
nada empañe tu gloria inmortal,
¡que el trabajo es tu digno laurel
y el honor es tu enseña triunfal!
Hail to thee (English translation)
Hail to thee, Nicaragua! On thy land
roars the voice of the cannon no more,
nor does the blood of brothers now stain
thy glorious bicolor banner.
Let peace shine beautiful in thy sky,
and nothing dim thine immortal glory,
for work is thy well earned laurel
and honor is thy triumphal emblem!
Salve a ti
¡Salve a ti, Nicaragua! En tu suelo
ya no ruge la voz del cañón,
ni se tiñe con sangre de hermanos
tu glorioso pendón bicolor.
Brille hermosa la paz en tu cielo,
nada empañe tu gloria inmortal,
¡que el trabajo es tu digno laurel
y el honor es tu enseña triunfal!
Hail to thee (English translation)
Hail to thee, Nicaragua! On thy land
roars the voice of the cannon no more,
nor does the blood of brothers now stain
thy glorious bicolor banner.
Let peace shine beautiful in thy sky,
and nothing dim thine immortal glory,
for work is thy well earned laurel
and honor is thy triumphal emblem!
Flag of Nicaragua
Three equal horizontal bands of blue, white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band.
The white stripe signifies pureness.
Two blue stripes represent the two bordering oceans.
The white stripe signifies pureness.
Two blue stripes represent the two bordering oceans.
Coat of Arms
The triangle signifies equality, the rainbow signifies peace and the five volcanoes express the union and brotherhood of all five Central American countries. The phrygian cap symbolizes freedom.
The National Flower
The national flower is know as the Sacuanjoche. The Sacuanjoche flower grows on a conical type of tree that flowers around May. Sacuanjoche flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators.
National Bird
The national bird is the Guardabarranco. It has a mostly green body with a rufous back and belly. There is a bright blue stripe above the eye and a blue-bordered black patch on the throat. The flight feathers and upperside of the tail are blue. The tips of the tail feathers are shaped like rackets and the bare feather shafts are longer than in other motmots.
Guardabarrancos can be seen in forests throughout Nicaragua, mostly in the southwest of the country. Their habitat is not limited by city boundaries, as this bird can even be seen in Nicaragua's capital city, Managua.
Guardabarrancos can be seen in forests throughout Nicaragua, mostly in the southwest of the country. Their habitat is not limited by city boundaries, as this bird can even be seen in Nicaragua's capital city, Managua.
National Tree
The Madroño (Calycophyllum candidissimum) is the national tree of Nicaragua. With exceptionally hard wood and reddish bark that constantly peels off the trunk and branches, the Madroño can grow up to 20 meters in height. Its flowers are white and have a sweet fragrance, while its oblong leaves are glossy and dark green.
