Did you know…

The Belize flag is the only flag in the entire world that has people depicted on it? All other flags have animals or symbols whereas our unique flag stands out with the many elements of its regal Coat of Arms.

The red and blue colors of the flag represent unity of the people. The 50 olive leaves that border around the perimeter of the Coat of arms symbolize the year of 1950 when Belize, then British Honduras, began its quest for Independence. The Mahogany Tree represents the country’s economic foundation. The two men on either side of the tree represent the log wood workers. The fairer carries an axe which symbolizes the log wood cutters and the darker carries an oar to symbolize how the workers traveled by river to find and transport the log-wood. Under the Mahogany Tree is a shield separated into three – the left is an oar and squaring axe, the right is a saw and beating axe, and the base has a ship in full sail. Directly below the shield is the National Motto, “Sub Umbra Floreo”, in Latin which translates to “Under the Shade I Flourish” referring to the shade of the Mahogany Tree.