Last modified: 2008-05-24 by francisco gregoric
Keywords: paraguay | seal | phrygian cap | different reverse | treasury | lion | star: 5 points (yellow) | simplification | stylization | license plate |
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 image by Gerard van der Vaart, 27 Aug 1999 
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Album 2000 [pay00] says:
National Flag.Željko Heimer, 25 Oct 20023:5
Album’s 1995 recapitulative issue
[pie95] says
«National Flag, Naval and Merchant Ensign.
3:5 (size of emblem 2/9 hoist)» Already showing
the current design of the emblem.
This is the only source that I can think of giving
the size of the emblem. However, 2/9 seems a bit
too small — it seems larger in the images of all
other in sources..
Željko Heimer, 27 Oct 2002
The disc around the star should have the same
blue shade as the blue stripe of the flag.
Ivan Sache, 22 Oct 1999
[Comparing with the 1988-1990 vesion,]
there is in fact a simplified version of the Paraguayan flag. That flag
is in use at least since 1991.
We have photocopy of a military map of
Paraguay which shows the redesigned symbols of the flag. The map was edited
in 1991. I was informed that the flag was redesigned withouth special sanction
as it was only an artistic modification of the two symbols on either side.
And it was not known when the redesigned flag was introduced (I assume it
came into use step by step). By the way, the flag seems to have new
proportions of 3:5, as I received with the military map a photograph of
the new flag which is in that dimensions.
Ralf Stelter, 17 Jul 1999
 image by Gerard van der Vaart, 27 Aug 1999
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The backside is different from
the frontside. It bears the Treasury Seal of Paraguay. It shows a
phrygian cap on the top of a pole.
Giuseppe Bottasini, 29 Aug 1995
Is there any reason why the Treasury seal, specifically, was
chosen for the reverse (apart from the desire for its elements)?
Nathan Lamm, 08 Mar 2002
I am in possession of the current national flag of Paraguay, which
shows the same on each side, a wreath around a gold star of state, with
the words around the exterior of the wreath: "REPUBLICA
DEL PARAGUAY" (which reads backwards on one side).
John Crosby, 24 May 2001
White, blue and red flags were used by Paraguayan troops in 1806
wen they went to the defense of Buenos Aires
during the British invasion. The earmiest mention of a red-white-blue
tricolor in Paraguay seems to date from 15 August
1812. This bore on one side the arms of the capital city, Asunción,
and on the other those of the King of Spain. The Star of May in the
national arms recalls the date of independence, 14 May 1811. Defense of
national liberty is symbolized by the lion guarding the liberty cap on
the Treasury seal whose motto proclaims «Peace and Justice».
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [smi75b]
The colors were influenced by French Tricolore,
which had become a symbol of liberation. A number of
variant designs [vd. also
here] existed prior to the current design,
which was regularized in 1842. The practice of having a separate emblem on
each side is dating from the time of José de Francia, in power from
1814-1840.
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [udk97]
The official symbolism of the flag is very rich. To mention only colour
symbolism, red stands for patriotism, courage, heroism, equality and
justice; white for purity, firmness, union and peace; and blue for
tranquillity, love, knowledge, verity and liberty.
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [eun]
The coat of arms was adopted in 1812 (like
the flag)! But it was not precisely described in all its elements.
In 1823 it was modified by Dr. Francia.
It was used even after his death until 1842.
Since 1828 the bishopric Paraguay had
used a differing version. In 1842 the symbols
of Paraguay were described exactly for the first time. We know that the
coats of arms before had looked similar [alv8].
Possibly the bishopric had used two trees?
The “makers” of the 1842 arms said nothing about all their
earlier prototypes.
Ralf Stelter, 23 Jan 2001
The “classical” emblem (used in all flags of 1842-1990), is noted in several variations, of which is most notable difference in the field around the star on the obverse, with three main types:
Even official Paraguayan flagmakers and flag designers and ministers
and and and misinterpreted the Paraguayan arms. You
know the drawings in [ped70],
[smi75b] and
[smi80] which all showed correct flag and
arms, as that were the emblems in use. I provided two designs (obverse and
reverse) of the flag as it is used now and added that it came in use about
1990 without special sanction, as there were only
minor graphic changes to the coat of arms. What I did not know: the flag and
the coat of arms were introduced in 1967, when each element was pecisely
described. But using exactly the elements of the
1842’s arms! They only gave the arms a new
interpretation «as there were uncountable variations until
now».
Ralf Stelter, 23 Jan 2001
When the flag is depicted on smaller items (souvenirs, etc.)
sometimes the seal is reduced to a disk or circle;
I’ve seen these both blue and black. It depends on the material
and the size of the item. If I recall correctly, the circle is more
common, but a solid disk version is used on really small items.
(Obviously, the disk/circle appears in the white band.)
Terence Martin, 04 Aug 2004
I’ve never seen these simplifications actually used as flags,
only as decorations on objects.
Terence Martin, 10 Aug 2004
While red/white/blue striping is common as a decorative theme,
once a cloth is attached to a stick, it always had the seal on it. It is
rarely totally omitted. (My last visit to Paraguay was in 1995, so things
may have changed.)
Terence Martin, 04 Aug 2004
Paraguay introduced new license plates around 2002.
They have the flag at upper left and an emblem at upper right.
The flag does not have the emblem, it is a plain tricolor.
(See photo by Osvaldo
Fernández)
Olav Arne Brekke, 30 Jan 2005
Anything below this line was not added by the editor of this page.
