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The National coat of
arms represents our island. It is shaped like a pointed leather
shield, and divided into three sections. In its horizontal upper
part, there is a golden key between two mountains, and a sun
rising over the sea - which symbolizes the position of Cuba in
the Gulf, between the two Americas, amidst the emergence of a
new state. The blue and white strips, down the left hand side,
represent the situation of the island, in terms of its division
into states, in the colonial period. Down the right hand side, a
Cuban country scene is dominated by a royal palm tree - the
symbol of the unbreakable character of the Cuban people |
In 1850 what
was to become the definitive national symbol was hoisted for the
first time. It captures simplicity and perfect harmony, it
combines three colors, red, white and blue, to form the Cuban
flag: three blue stripes - the states in which the island was
divided at that time - two white stripes - the force of the
idealistic independence fighter - , a red triangle -
representing equality, fraternity and liberty, and at the same
time, the blood which had to be spilled during the battles for
independence - and a white star, alone - as a symbol of the
absolute liberty between other nations - these are what
characterizes its beautiful design. |
Al combate
corred, bayameses
Que la Patria os contempla orgullosa
No temáis una muerte gloriosa
Que morir por la Patria, es vivir.
En cadenas vivir es vivir
En afrenta y oprobio sumidos,
Del clarín escuchad el sonido
A las armas, valientes, corred".
The National
Anthem was created in Bayamo, out of the fracas of the battle
for independence. Pedro Figueredo, having composed the melody in
1867, wrote the words to this battle hymn, with the sentiments
of an independence fighter, when the insurgent troops took the
city in 1868. |