Why is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala?
It’s the largest trogon, with tail feathers that can reach up to a metre in length. Not only is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, it also lends its name to the country’s currency and appears on its flag. So why is the bird so important to Guatemalans?
Why was the quetzal important to the Mayans?
First of all, the quetzal was incredibly important to the indigenous Maya of the country. The bird represents liberty, and is said to die of sadness if it is caged. For this reason the Mayans would pluck a few of its highly prized feathers before setting it free.
Why is Guatemala's currency called the quetzal?
The quetzal is named for a bird. Guatemala’s currency takes its name from the resplendent quetzal, a bird with colorful feathers and a central role in Guatemala’s mythos. The quetzal’s brilliant green tail feathers decorated Mayan headdresses, and were so valued in precolonial times, they were sometimes used as currency.
Why go quetzal spotting in Guatemala?
Go quetzal spotting in Guatemala. These legends explain the importance of the bird in Guatemalan history. It also helps that the quetzal is often named among the most beautiful birds in the world, with striking features and vibrant colouring. Sadly the birds are endangered in Guatemala today, due to the destruction of their natural habitat.
What symbolizes the quetzal for the Mayans?
Myth and legend The Maya also viewed the quetzal symbolizing freedom and wealth, due to their view of quetzals dying in captivity and the value of their feathers, respectively. Mesoamerican rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl.
What is the bird symbol for Guatemala?
Resplendent quetzals are also known as Guatemalan quetzals, and the birds are the symbol of that nation. Guatemala also trades in currency known as the "quetzal."
Why does the quetzal symbolize freedom?
Worshipped by Mayas and Aztecs, the Quetzal is the symbol of Guatemala. This symbolism is not accidental: the local tradition considers it a symbol of freedom because it was believed that it preferred to die of hunger rather than to live as a prisoner.
What is special about a quetzal?
The quetzal is a bird that many consider among the world's most beautiful. During mating season, male quetzals grow twin tail feathers that form an amazing train up to one metre long. Females do not have long trains, but they do share the brilliant blue, green, and red coloring of their mates.
Which bird lend its name to the currency of Guatemala?
the quetzalIn ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal feathers were considered so precious that they were even used as a medium of exchange. Thus the name of the Guatemala currency, the quetzal. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred, or king, warrior, prince.
What is Guatemala known for?
Guatemala is best known for its volcanic landscape, fascinating Mayan culture and the colorful colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this small Central American country has a wealth of homegrown produce and talent.
What is the national animal of Guatemala?
Unlike a surprising number of countries, Guatemala does have an Official National Animal in the form of a multicolored bird known as the quetzal. Seen on both the Guatemalan flag and its National Seal, the quetzal takes pride of place over some other equally suitable candidate such as the jaguar.
How many quetzals are left?
50,000 QuetzalsThere are 50,000 Quetzals left in the world.
Where are quetzals found in Guatemala?
For the casual birdwatcher, probably the best place to try and spot a quetzal is the Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera Nature reserve, often simply referred to as the Biotopo del Quetzal. This nature reserve is located roughly midway between Coban & Guatemala City and covers approximately 1000 hectares.
Is the quetzal extinct?
Near Threatened (Population decreasing)Resplendent quetzal / Conservation status
What is Belize's national animal?
Baird's TapirNational Animal – Baird's Tapir The Tapir or “Mountain Cow” (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest land mammal of the American tropics. The tapir is a stoutly built animal with short legs, about the size of a donkey and weighs up to 600 pounds.
What is the national bird of Mexico?
Known as the Mexican eagle, the crested caracara is the national bird of Mexico, but contrary to popular belief, it is not the bird found on that country's flag (a golden eagle). Opportunistic hunters, they are often seen patrolling highways for roadkill.
What is Guatemala's national dish?
Chicken Pepian: Chicken in spicy sauce with pumpkin seeds and sesame. This is the national dish of Guatemala.
Which country has beautiful national bird?
Worldwide eagle symbols include golden eagle (national animal of Austria, national bird of Albania, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Scotland, Serbia, and Germany), African fish eagle (Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe), harpy eagle (Panama), Javan hawk-eagle (Indonesia), Philippine eagle (Philippines), and the white-tailed eagle (Poland).
What is the Quetzal in Guatemala?
The quetzal is also one of the spirit guides, or nahual, of the Maya.
Why is the Quetzal important?
First of all, the quetzal was incredibly important to the indigenous Maya of the country. The bird represents liberty, and is said to die of sadness if it is caged. For this reason the Mayans would pluck a few of its highly prized feathers before setting it free.
Why are Quetzal birds endangered?
Sadly the birds are endangered in Guatemala today, due to the destruction of their natural habitat.
When was the Quetzal declared the national bird of Guatemala?
The striking quetzal was declared the national bird of Guatemala in 1871, and is celebrated each year on September 5. Instagram.
What is the national bird of Guatemala?
A beautiful national symbol. A long-tailed, green and blue member of the trogon family, the quetzal lives in cloud forests in Guatemala and southern Mexico. It’s the largest trogon, with tail feathers that can reach up to a metre in length. Not only is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, it also lends its name to ...
What is the quetzal in Guatemala?
Banco de Guatemala , December 2010. The quetzal ( locally [keˈtsal]; code: GTQ) is the currency of Guatemala, named after the national bird of Guatemala, the resplendent quetzal. In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird's tail feathers were used as currency. It is divided into 100 centavos, or lenes in Guatemalan slang.
When was the Quetzal introduced?
The quetzal was introduced in 1925 during the term of President José María Orellana, whose image appears on the obverse of the one-quetzal bill. It replaced the peso at the rate of 60 pesos = 1 quetzal.
When were banknotes first issued in Guatemala?
The first banknotes were issued by the Central Bank of Guatemala in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 100 quetzales, with 1⁄2 quetzal notes added in 1933. In 1946, the Bank of Guatemala took over the issuance of paper money, with the first issues being overprints on notes of the Central Bank. Except for the introduction of 50 quetzal notes in 1967, the denominations of banknotes remained unchanged until 1⁄2 and 1 quetzal coins replaced notes at the end of the 1990s.
When did Guatemala start using paper money?
In 1946 , the Bank of Guatemala took over the issuance of paper money, with the first issues being overprints on notes of the Central Bank. Except for the introduction of 50 quetzal notes in 1967, the denominations of banknotes remained unchanged until 1⁄2 and 1 quetzal coins replaced notes at the end of the 1990s.
When did the Quetzal coins come out?
Coins of the quetzal. In 1925, coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10 centavos, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 and 1 quetzal were introduced, although the majority of the 1 quetzal coins were withdrawn from circulation and melted. 1⁄2 and 2 centavo coins were added in 1932.
When did Guatemala introduce the polymer banknote?
The Bank of Guatemala has introduced a polymer banknote of 1 quetzal on August 20, 2007, followed by a 5 quetzal polymer banknote on November 14, 2011.
What is the Mayan numeral on a banknote?
In the top-right corner of the obverse face of each banknote, the value is displayed in Mayan numerals, representing Guatemala's cultural history.
Why were Quetzals important to the people of the world?
Quetzals could not be tamed and often died in captivity, so they were a symbol of liberty as well as wealth.
Why is the Quetzal named Quetzal?
The quetzal is named for a bird. Guatemala’s currency takes its name from the resplendent quetzal, a bird with colorful feathers and a central role in Guatemala’s mythos. The quetzal’s brilliant green tail feathers decorated Mayan headdresses, and were so valued in precolonial times, they were sometimes used as currency.
What is the quetzal coin?
The quetzal memorializes peace. The one-quetzal coin memorializes the peace process that ended Guatemala’s civil war. This war raged from 1960 to 1996, between the Guatemalan government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, a union of different revolutionary groups.
What are some interesting facts about Guatemala?
6 Facts You Might not Know about the Guatemalan Quetzal. Guatemala draws tourists every year to its scenic villages and ancient ruins. It’s also the homeland of many immigrants to the United States, Canada, and Spain. Whether you’re traveling to Guatemala or sending money home, you’ll need to convert your funds to Guatemalan quetzales.
What is the Mayan script on a banknote?
Mayan script appears on the banknotes. Another nod to Guatemala’s Mayan history and people is the number in the top right corner of each banknote, which is written in Mayan script. Mayans may have invented the first writing system in the Americas.
Why is the Temple of the Great Jaguar called the Temple of the Great Jaguar?
Some call it the Temple of the Great Jaguar, because a carving on a lintel in the temple de picts a king sitting on a throne shaped like a jaguar. The temple was built as a tomb for Jasaw Chan K’awiil I, a Mayan ruler of the region. Today the temple complex is a World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination.
Why is it so expensive to send money to Guatemala?
If you live abroad, sending money to Guatemala can be expensive because of exchange rate markups and hidden fees.
What is the quetzal symbol?
Its iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Aztecs and Maya, who viewed the quetzal as the “god of the air” and as a symbol of goodness and light. The Maya also viewed the quetzal symbolizing freedom and wealth, due to their view of quetzals dying in captivity and the value of their feathers, respectively. Mesoamerican rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl. Since it was a crime to kill a quetzal, the bird was simply captured, its long tail feathers plucked, and was set free. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred, or erected.
What is the quetzal?
The quetzal plays an important role in various types of Mesoamerican mythology. It is the national bird of Guatemala, and its image is found on the country’s flag and coat of arms. It also lends its name to the country’s currency, the Guatemalan quetzal.
Quetzalcóatl, the god of the air
In the worldview of the Mayan and Aztec cultures, the quetzal occupied a very important place. This beautifully plumaged bird symbolized the feathered serpent, the great god Quetzalcóatl or Kukulkán, who was in charge of protecting heaven and earth. With its serpent form, but crowned with quetzal feathers, Quetzalcóatl was the god of the air.
The history of the quetzal
Finding specimens of quetzal was not an easy task and remains so to this day. These birds of great beauty reside in the depths of the humid forests, where the abundant undergrowth and cloudiness don't allow visibility to identify them despite their showy plumage.
