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 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 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 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.
See more
What does the quetzal symbolize in Guatemala?
These cultures revered the quetzal as the “god of the air,” and as symbols of light, freedom, and wealth. The Quetzal is highly emblematic in Guatemala. The coat of arms, flag, postage stamps, currency, and countless souvenirs all carry the image of the quetzal.
Why is quetzal important in Mayan culture?
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 quetzalsResplendent 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." Unfortunately, these striking birds are threatened in Guatemala and elsewhere throughout their range.
Why is the Resplendent Quetzal important?
Sacred Symbol The Resplendent Quetzal likely inspired Quetzalcoatl, the “plumed serpent” god of Mesoamerica. Legend has it that Quetzalcoatl helped create Earth. Rulers and nobility wore headdresses made from this trogon's shining green feathers, which symbolically connected them to the god.
Why did Mayans believe 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 celebration of Antigua Guatemala is the most important in the hemisphere for many people?
Semana Santa (Holy Week) The most famous celebration in all of Guatemala is Semana Santa—the weeklong observance of Christian Holy Week. The festivities in Antigua are arguably the most impressive in Latin America.
Is the quetzal a bird of paradise?
Bird of paradise (quetzal) (one of a pair) 1733 Porcelain birds have their origins in the princely tradition of maintaining collections of living animals and birds in menageries and aviaries, which were viewed as microcosms of the universe, and emblems of royal power and enlightenment.
Where is the quetzal 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.
How do quetzals help the environment?
So we really admire the Quetzal for its sheer beauty as well as for its role – obviously not consciously – but for its role in conservation. The Quetzal is also important in these forests for dispersing fruits of trees, so the Quetzal actually helps keep the forest healthy.
Why was the quetzal called the quetzal?
The legendary status of the Resplendent Quetzal survives in various forms today. The name quetzal comes from the Aztec quetzalli, originally meaning tail-feather, and by transference “precious” or “beautiful”. Thus it is that the unit of monetary currency in Guatemala is the quetzal.
Why is the quetzal in danger of extinction?
The resplendent quetzal, an emblematic bird of southern Mexico and Central America, is on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching, among other reasons, according to a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM.
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.
