Today the quetzal has become the nation symbol of Guatemala. Images of the quetzal are everywhere, including the basic unit of currency. None the less, as a result of habitat degradation quetzals themselves are becoming increasingly scarce. The quetzal resides within the misty depths of high altitude cloud forest and is known to shy away from the prying presence of visitors. Unfortunately, as in other parts of the world, habitat loss is the main reason behind a decrease in the population of this species. Still, while sightings are rare and the bird is threatened, like many aspects of Guatemala's culture, the Quetzal is holding on.

Rafael Alvarez Ovalle

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Guatemala's national anthem was written by Rafael Alvarez Ovalle.

¡Guatemala feliz que tus aras!
no profane jamás el verdugo
ni haya esclavos que laman el yugo
ni tiranos que escupan tu faz.
Si mañana tu suelo sagrado
lo amenaza invasión extranjera
libre al viento tu hermosa bandera
a vencer o a morir llamará.

CORO-
Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera
a vencer o a morir llamará
que tu pueblo con anima fiera
antes muerto que esclavo será.
De tus viejas y duras cadenas
tu forjaste con mano iracunda
el arado que el suelo fecunda
y la espada que salva el honor.
Nuestros padres lucharon un día
encendidos en patrio ardimiento
y lograron sin choque sangriento
colocarte en un trono de amor.

Y lograron sin choque sangriento
colocarte en un trono de amor
que dé patria en enérgico acento
dieron vida al ideal redentor.
Es tu enseña pedazo de cielo
en que prende una nube su albura
y ay de aquel que con ciega locura
sus colores pretenda manchar.
Pues tus hijos valientes y altivos
que veneran la paz cual presea
nunca esquivan la ruda pelea
si defienden su tierra y su hogar.

CORO

Nunca esquivan la ruda pelea
si defienden su tierra y su hogar
que es tan solo el honor su alma idea
y el altar de la patria su altar.
Recostada en el ande soberbio
de dos mares al ruido sonoro
bajo el ala de grana y de oro
te adormeces del bello quetzal.
Ave indiana que vive en tu escudo
paladión que protege tu suelo
ojalá que remonte su vuelo
más que el cóndor y el Aguila Real.

CORO

¡Ojala que remonte su vuelo
más que el cóndor y el águila real
y en sus alas levante hasta el cielo
Guatemala, tu nombre inmortal!

CHORUS
Your fair flag, flying freely in the wind,
Will call to you: Conquer or die;
For your people, with heart and soul,
Would prefer death to slavery.

The Ceiba

Guatemala's national tree, the Ceiba, Ceiba Pentandra Gaertin, is one of the greatest trees of tropical America and is common in almost all tropical regions of America.

FYI: "Guatemala" is derived from the Aztec name Quauhtlemallan, meaning "Land of many trees."

Tecún Umán (1499? - 1524)

Quiché Tecún Umán, Guatemala's national hero faced an army of Spanish conquistadors in the battle of Pinal in 1534. According to the legend, although he didn't have armor Tecun Uman fought for his land and his people when they were about to lose their sovereignty. The brave prince gave his life in defense of his beliefs and principles when he was mortally wounded on the battlefield by Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Alvarado.