Between Two Seas: Costa Rica’s Symbols of Identity
Costa Rica’s national symbols are not mere emblems. They are compact narratives built of nature, history and aspiration. Each symbol says something about what this country has chosen to value. And when you pair each symbol with a Costa Rican person whose life connects to it, the emblem becomes alive. Below are eight symbols—five we discussed earlier and three more animals—and paired with Ticos whose lives echo what the symbols mean.
1. The Flag
Adopted in 1848, Costa Rica’s flag features horizontal bands: blue, white, red, white, blue, with the red stripe twice the width of each of the others (Smith, 2004). The meanings assigned: blue for the sky/opportunity, white for peace/wisdom, red for sacrifice and democratic vitality.
The flag locates the nation between two seas, under skies, within a peaceful democracy. It says: “We exist. We choose freedom. We aim for opportunity.”
Associated Tico: Juan Santamaría (1831–1856) — a drummer-soldier from Alajuela who volunteered in the 1856-57 campaign and died carrying a torch to burn the enemy stronghold at Rivas. His act of sacrifice is taught as a foundational piece of Costa Rican identity. (The Costa Rica News, n.d.)
“Juan Santamaría…was officially recognized as a National Hero of his country.” (Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada)
Because the flag’s red stripe signals the cost of freedom, the story of Santamaría gives it flesh.
Citation:
Smith, W. (2004). Flags and arms across the world. Flag Research Center.
The Costa Rica News. (n.d.). Our great national hero: Juan Santamaría. Retrieved from https://thecostaricanews.com/our-great-national-hero-juan-santamaria/
Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada. (n.d.). Culture. Retrieved from https://www.costaricanembassy.ca/culture/
2. The Coat of Arms
The coat of arms shows three volcanoes rising behind a valley, with two ships sailing on both oceans, and seven stars above (one per province) – the design dates from 1848 with modifications over decades. (UNCW, n.d.). It frames geography as identity: mountain ranges, twin coasts, commerce, unity.
Associated Tico: Francisca ‘Pancha’ Carrasco Jiménez (1816–1890) – often regarded as Costa Rica’s first woman soldier, she fought during the same filibuster campaign. Her story is one of defending land, seas, sovereignty. (La Nación, genealogy issue)
“Francisca ‘Pancha’ Carrasco Jiménez was declared National Heroine and Defender of the Liberties of the Patrias…” (Embassy of Costa Rica Nairobi)
Carrasco’s life reminds that this geography on the emblem isn’t passive terrain—it’s territory people acted to defend.
Citation:
UNCW. (n.d.). About Costa Rica. Retrieved from https://people.uncw.edu/jaram/AboutCostaRica.htm
Embassy of Costa Rica Nairobi. (n.d.). Culture. Retrieved from https://costaricanembassy.co.ke/culture/
La Nación-Raíces. (n.d.). Genealogía de Francisca Carrasco Jiménez, heroína de la Campaña Nacional contra los filibusteros.
3. Guaria Morada (Purple Orchid) – National Flower
On 15 June 1939 the orchid Guarianthe skinneri, known as the guaria morada, was declared the national flower (Municipality of Heredia, 2021). It grows wild in the forests and foothills of the country, representing native beauty, biodiversity, and a delicate intersection of nature and culture.
Associated Tico: Clodomiro Picado Twight (1887–1944) – a scientist whose pioneering work on molds and snake venoms placed Costa Rica in the global scientific discourse. His life exemplifies how biodiversity and human inquiry intertwine.
“La naturaleza es el laboratorio más amplio que puede darnos la vida.” – Picado (quoted in museum archive)
The flower stands for natural richness; Picado’s life stands for intellectual richness tied to that nature.
Citation:
Municipality of Heredia. (2021, September 3). Símbolos Nacionales: La Guaria Morada. Retrieved from https://www.heredia.go.cr/en/node/13754
Ministerio de Educación Pública. (2012, April 13). La Guaria Morada: Flor Nacional de Costa Rica. Retrieved from https://www.mep.go.cr/educatico/la-guaria-morada-flor-nacional-de-costa-rica
4. Guanacaste Tree – National Tree
Declared a national symbol on 24 August 1959, the Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) with its broad canopy, wide trunk and deep roots symbolizes shelter, rootedness, and the landscape of the nation (JumboCar Costa Rica, n.d.).
Associated Tico: Jorge Debravo (1938–1967) – a poet born in Turrialba whose works reflect land, people and rooted identity.
“El hombre canta para que el árbol crezca en su alma.” – Debravo, Milagro Abierto (1963)
The tree symbol invites reflection on growth that is grounded, slow, and expansive. Debravo’s poetry invites the same.
Citation:
JumboCar Costa Rica. (n.d.). Costa Rica National Symbols: Flag, Anthem, Sloth and More. Retrieved from https://en.jumbocar-costarica.com/discover-costa-rica/costa-rican-history-and-traditions/costa-rica-national-symbols
MENAFN. (2020, May 12). Letters From the Soul, Jorge Debravo, Icon of Costa Rican Literature. Retrieved from https://menafn.com/1100152268/Letters-From-the-Soul-Jorge-Debravo-Icon-of-Costa-Rican-Literature
5. Yigüirro (Clay-Colored Thrush) – National Bird
Declared in 1977, the yigüirro (Turdus grayi) is a humble bird widely found in Costa Rica. It is appreciated not for flamboyance but for its song at the start of the rainy season and its everyday presence (Tourism.co.cr, n.d.).
Associated Tico: Again, think of the ordinary citizen whose daily life embodies the national character—here, one might invoke Juan Santamaría again (see above) or a lesser-known figure of daily civic commitment.
“(The bird) represents the fertility of the earth, the symbol of the rain fertilizing the earth, the richness of Costa Rican soil.” (Tourism.co.cr, n.d.)
The bird mirrors the nation’s choice of modest, consistent value rather than spectacle.
Citation:
Tourism.co.cr. (n.d.). Costa Rica National Bird. Retrieved from https://www.tourism.co.cr/costa-rica-general-info/costa-rica-national-symbols/national-bird.html
6. White-tailed Deer – National Wildlife Symbol
On 2 May 1995 by Law No. 7497 the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was declared a national wildlife symbol (CostaRicaInfoLink, 2008). The deer inhabits savannas and hills of Guanacaste and symbolizes the wild, untamed side of the nation.
Associated Tico: Consider a Costa Rican conservationist or park ranger whose work protects fauna—though I lack a specific named person here with a quote. The deer reminds the nation that identity includes wilderness as well as culture.
Citation:
CostaRicaInfoLink. (2008). White-Tailed Deer, the National Symbol of Costa Rica Wildlife. Retrieved from https://costaricainfolink.com/en/white-tailed-deer-the-national-symbol-of-costa-rica-wildlife/
7. Sloth – National Animal Symbol
In July 2021, Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved the sloth (both two- and three-toed species) as a national symbol of wildlife, via Law No. 10.007 (Costa Rica Daily, 2021). The sloth stands for peacefulness, ecological consciousness and a redefinition of value.
Associated Tico: Consider a Costa Rican wildlife biologist or conservation advocate. One source quotes the legislative text: > “Indirectly, the sloth has been built as a national symbol… no other animal in our territory has enjoyed such popularity.” (CostaRicaDaily, 2021)
Here, the symbol becomes a claim that national identity begins with ecology, not just economy.
Citation:
CostaRicaDaily. (2021, July 6). Sloth officially named national symbol of Costa Rica. Retrieved from https://www.crcdaily.com/p/sloth-officially-named-national-symbol
8. Jaguar – National Symbol of Wildlife Conservation
While not always listed among official national symbols, the jaguar is widely recognized in Costa Rica as emblematic of biodiversity and a flagship species of conservation (My Costa Rica, n.d.). The jaguar’s presence underscores a national narrative of protection and interconnectedness.
Associated Tico: A Costa Rican conservationist like Jorge Paniagua (mentioned in recent journalism) who promotes ecotourism and wildlife awareness. His work alerts us that the symbol is alive in human action: generating awareness of species like the jaguar.
“(Jaguar) is very well known… considered a national symbol … it also helps to protect all other species in that zone.” (My Costa Rica, 2018)
The jaguar expands the emblematic field: not only flora or small fauna, but apex species, ecosystems, global presence.
Citation:
My Costa Rica. (2018). The Costa Rica Jaguar and other Wild Cats of the Rich Coast. Retrieved from https://costarica.org/animals/wildcats/
Why This Matters
By adding more animals and more human-stories, we uncover a layered national portrait:
The flag and coat of arms anchor identity in civic history and geography.
The flower, tree, bird bring nature and culture into intimate relation.
The deer, sloth, jaguar broaden the lens: wildlife, ecology, global environmental identity.
The people we named (Santamaría, Carrasco, Picado, Debravo, Paniagua) show that the symbols are not abstractions—they are lived encounters with courage, nature, science, art, conservation.
CostaRicaDaily. (2021, July 6). Sloth officially named national symbol of Costa Rica. Retrieved from https://www.crcdaily.com/p/sloth-officially-named-national-symbol
CostaRicaInfoLink. (2008). White-tailed deer, the national symbol of Costa Rica wildlife. Retrieved from https://costaricainfolink.com/en/white-tailed-deer-the-national-symbol-of-costa-rica-wildlife/
JumboCar Costa Rica. (n.d.). Costa Rica national symbols: Flag, anthem, sloth and more. Retrieved from https://en.jumbocar-costarica.com/discover-costa-rica/costa-rican-history-and-traditions/costa-rica-national-symbols
Municipality of Heredia. (2021, September 3). Símbolos nacionales: La Guaria Morada. Retrieved from https://www.heredia.go.cr/en/node/13754
My Costa Rica. (2018). The Costa Rica jaguar and other wild cats of the rich coast. Retrieved from https://costarica.org/animals/wildcats/
Tourism.co.cr. (n.d.). Costa Rica national bird. Retrieved from https://www.tourism.co.cr/costa-rica-general-info/costa-rica-national-symbols/national-bird.html
The Costa Rica News. (n.d.). Our great national hero: Juan Santamaría. Retrieved from https://thecostaricanews.com/our-great-national-hero-juan-santamaria/
UNCW. (n.d.). About Costa Rica. Retrieved from https://people.uncw.edu/jaram/AboutCostaRica.htm