Singapore – Costa Rica Cultural Project Exchange
Costa Rica Cultural Icons
Typical Food – SWAN
Casado; gallo pinto (rice & beans), salad, slice of cheese or banana plantians with the choice of chicken, fish or beef. The casado comes with a natural drink.
National Music Instrument -
Marimba; This historic and popular instrument is an emblem that represents and dignified art and culture of the people of Costa Rica, a peaceful country, which has prevailed since the annexation of Guanacaste to Costa Rica.
Labor Symbol – DENNIS
Oxcart; The oxcart, designated National Labor Symbol on March 22, 1988, is a rustic strong vehicle with two compact wheels moved by two oxen. It can easily pass through muddy places, swamps, beaches, hills, curves, rocky mountains, and deep small rivers.
National Tree - KEIVON
The Guanacaste Tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is best known for its massive hemispheric crown – a cascade of greenery wider than the tree is tall. Declared the national tree on August 31, 1959, the Guanacaste is native to Costa Rica and is a member of the legume family.
National Motto – ZELENIA
Pura Vida; Costa Rica does not have a national motto, but most would agree that its unofficial slogan is “pura vida,” meaning pure life. Though the origins of the phrase are not definite, Costa Ricans reportedly began using the expression after watching the 1956 Mexican movie titled "Pura Vida!" By 1970 the phrase was widely used throughout the country. Today, these two words can be used as a greeting, and generally symbolizes the Costa Rican idea of letting things go and simply enjoying life.
National Flag – RONY
In 1848, then-First Lady Pacifica Fernandez Oreamuno designed the first flag of Costa Rica. Inspired by the French Revolution, Oreamuno modeled the Costa Rican Flag after those ideals – freedom, equality and brotherhood – and chose the same colors as the French national flag: red, white and blue.
National Bird - CONRAD
The clay-colored thrush (Turdus grayi), known locally as the yigüirro, was also once known as the clay-colored robin, but scientists later changed its family from robin to thrush. The species is one of Costa Rica’s most common birds and it is found throughout almost every region. The clay-colored thrush was designated Costa Rica’s national bird in January 1977.
National Flower - GRACE
Costa Rica’s national flower, the guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), is an exquisite orchid known for its purple hues and diamond-like shimmer. The plant, which blooms from January through April, was designated as Costa Rica's national flower on June 15, 1939.
Freedom - JOSUE
The Independence Torch was declared a national symbol on September 15th, 2005 under the administration of Dr. Abel Pacheco de la Espriella, as representation of the ideal of freedom and independence that connects Costa Rica with their brother countries of Central America. The decision to declare the Independence Torch as a national symbol seeks to express the intention that the light of that torch always provided a free and sovereign country.
National Wealth – SOLAL
The Crestones Hills of the Chirripo National Park were declared as a national symbol on April 6th, 2011 by the Legislative Commission II in order to raise awareness of the national and economic value that can benefit the country when promoting its natural beauty.
Typical Costumes – CLOE
Typical Costumes represent one of the most important elements of the Costa Rican historical and cultural heritage. The most typical is where the women use a wide dress with a vivid color “gola” (skirt), sandals on her feet and a braid with a flower in the hair. The man uses a simple costume with vivid colors such as blue and yellow; a kerchief around his neck and a red belt, the belt is removed when the dance begins.
National Deer – ARIEL