National symbols of Cuba

This is a list of the national symbols of Cuba.

National symbols
Title Symbol Image Notes
National flag Flag of Cuba A 1:2 rectangular flag, consisting of five blue and white alternating horizontal stripes, with a red equilateral triangle at the hoist, bearing a white, five-pointed star in its center. It was designed by Narciso López and Miguel Teurbe Tolón, and adopted on May 20, 1849.
National emblem Coat of arms of Cuba Crest: In place of a crest, atop a fasces, a red phrygian cap charged with a Mullet of five points Argent.
Escutcheon: Per pale, the first bendy sinister of five Azure and Argent; the second a landscape with a palmtree and two mountains in the distance, all proper; and on a chief under a rising sun a strait closed by a golden key, all proper.
Supporters: Oak branch and laurel wreath
National anthem La Bayamesa[1]
Adopted as the national anthem in 1902, La Bayamesa was written and composed by Perucho Figueredo during the Battle of Bayamo.
National motto "Patria o Muerte"
Translated in English as "Homeland or Death"
National currency Cuban peso The Cuban peso is the only currency used in Cuba effective November 2020. Previously there were two currencies, the other being convertible peso. State workers generally receive their wages in Cuban pesos (CUP). Most non-essential goods are bought and sold using CUP, and luxury items, and those aimed at tourists, were usually bought using CUC (convertible pesos). National hero José Martí José Julián Martí Pérez (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895) was a Cuban poet, essayist, revolutionairy philosopher, translator, professor, publisher, and political theorist, as well as a noted Freemason and Georgist.[2] Through his writing and political works, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence from Spain in the 19th century. He promoted the ideas of liberty, political independence for Cuba, and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans. Sometimes referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence,"[3] he died in military action at the Battle of Dos Rios on May 19, 1895. His legacy continues, through UNESCO's International José Martí Prize, and he has been adopted as a symbol of both the Communist Party of Cuba,[4] as well as the Cuban exiles.[5]
Patron Saint La Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre La Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre, or Our Lady of Charity, is a popular Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was declared Patroness of Cuba by Pope Benedict XV on May 10, 1916.[6] In Cuba, she is often syncretized with Oshun, the orisha of beauty, love, fertility, sexuality, fresh water, and luxury.
National flower White Mariposa The White Mariposa, or Jasmine Butterfly, is a subspecies of Hedychium coronarium, native to the Himalayas, which grows plentifully in the mountains of Cuba. During the Spanish Colonial era, women would use the flowers to adorn their hair, and later during the Cuban War of Independence, women would use the plant's intricate inflorescence to carry secret messages.[7]
National tree Royal Palm The Royal Palm is a large, ornamental species of palm tree, native to the Caribbean, and the mainland surrounding it. The tree has great significance in Santería, in which it is associated with the orisha Changó and his father, Aganyú. In Roman Catholicism, the Royal Palm's leaves are commonly used in Palm Sunday observances.[8]
National bird Tocororo The Tocororo, or Cuban Trogon, is a forest-dwelling bird species endemic to Cuba, with a colorful plumage featuring a green back, a blue crest, a red belly and beak, and a white throat and chest.[9] When seen from the front, these colors mimic those found on the Cuban flag, which is why it was chosen as the national bird of the country. Its Spanish name (Tocororo) is derived from its most common call.
National instrument Cuban Tres[10] Originating in Cuba, the tres is a guitar-like three-course chordophone, popular in Afro-Cuban music genres. Each course in the Cuban version features two strings, as opposed to the later Puerto Rican version, where each course features three strings.
National dance Danzón Both the official music and dance of Cuba, the danzón is a slow, formal partner dance requiring set footwork, and incorporates pauses, as the couples listen to instrumental passages.[11] The danzón evolved from Cuban contradanza, which itself evolved from European dances, introduced to Cuba by the Spanish, and influenced by African rhythm and dance. The creation of Danzón as a distinct music genre is generally credited to Miguel Failde, with his Las laturas de Simpson, composed in 1879.
National sport Baseball[12][13][14] Baseball was introduced to Cuba during the Cuban War of Independence against Spain, after the United States intervention and the formation of the US Protectorate over Cuba. Since then, it has continued to remain a popular sport in the country.
National dish Ropa vieja Spanish for old clothes, ropa vieja is a dish made of shredded flank steak, stewed with some onions and garlic in a tomato base.[15]
National fruit Mamey sapote[16] The Mamey sapote, or mamey colorado, is a berry cultivated and consumed in multiple South American and Caribbean countries. The skin is brown, with texture ranging from that of sandpaper to that of a ripe peach, and the meat is salmon-colored and soft. The fruit is commonly used to make milkshakes, smoothies, icecream, and baked goods.

References
  1. "National symbols". Government of Cuba. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  2. Mace, Elisabeth. "The economic thinking of Jose Marti: Legacy foundation for the integration of America". Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  3. "Jose Marti, apostle of Cuban Independence". historyofcuba.com. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  4. "The José Martí Pioneer Organization of Cuba, One of 18 individuals and organizations, to receive United Nations Environment Award". United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  5. Ripoll 1984, p. 40
  6. "Our Lady of Charity", Knights of Columbus, September 1, 2007
  7. "National Flower: White Butterfly". cubadiplomatica.cu. Embassy of Cuba in Uganda. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  8. "Cuban Royal Palm (Roystonea regia), national tree of Cuba". Cuba Naturaleza. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  9. Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus), the national bird of Cuba. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Cuba Naturaleza website: http://www.cubanaturaleza.org/en/fauna-animal-life/-birds/-cuban-trogon-tocororo-priotelus-temnurus.html
  10. McSweeney, Jim. "Nelson Gonzalez". Congahead. Based on an interview with Nelson Gonzalez by Martin Cohen. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2017. The tres is the national instrument of Cuba, and at first glance you'd probably call it a guitar.
  11. Urfé, Odilio 1965. El danzón. La Habana.
  12. Gonzalez Echevarria, Roberto (1999). "A Cuban Belle Époque". The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball. Oxford University Press. pp. 76. ISBN 0-19-514605-0. Baseball is so ingrained in Cuba that it has thrived as the "national sport" through forty years of a bitterly anti-American revolution.
  13. Mckinley, James C., Jr (March 26, 1999). "Baseball; Clash of Cultures, Pride and Passion". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2017. Most Cubans, after all, consider baseball to be their national sport, a game entwined in history with their struggle for independence from Spain and the birth of their nation.
  14. Castro, Fidel (August 13, 1999). "Speech at a meeting with Pan American Games delegation members". cuba.cu. Retrieved January 6, 2017. the game that […] is […] our national sport […] I am talking of baseball
  15. Elena Romero Castelló, (2010), Canciones y coplas sefardíes de contenido gastronómico, La mesa puesta: leyes, costumbres y recetas judías : XVI curso de cultura hispanojudía y sefardí de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha : en memoria de Iacob M. Hassán / coord. by Uriel Macías, Ricardo Izquierdo Benito, ISBN 978-84-8427-746-0, pages 171–214 (in Spanish)
  16. Bader, Myles (February 2010). The Wizard of Food's Encyclopedia of Kitchen & Cooking Secrets. Strategic Book Publishing. p. 430. ISBN 978-1-60911-017-8.
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