The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a beautiful and iconic bird that is the national symbol of Guatemala. It has long tail coverts that form an elongated green train behind it when in flight, giving rise to its Mesoamerican folk name that means “long green tail”. There are several reasons why this majestic bird was chosen to represent Guatemala.
The quetzal’s cultural significance to the ancient Maya
The quetzal held deep cultural and religious significance for the ancient Maya civilization that flourished in Mesoamerica over 3000 years ago. The Maya domain covered parts of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras during the Pre-Columbian era. The quetzal was considered sacred to the Maya and was associated with their snake god Quetzalcoatl. Its emerald green tail feathers were treasured by Maya royalty and priests.
The resplendent quetzal played an important role in Maya religious rituals and ceremonies. Its feathers were used to adorn royal headdresses and ceremonial costumes. The bird’s image frequently appeared in Maya art, architecture and murals. Several Maya deities were associated with the quetzal, including the creator god Itzamna. Killing a quetzal was punishable by death in the Maya society.
The Maya revered the quetzal for its beauty and saw it as a symbol of goodness, light and the sky. Its red chest was associated with the rising sun. The Maya also observed the quetzal’s monogamous breeding behavior, associating it with constancy. Due to its important cultural relevance, the quetzal was the sacred bird representing the air and the sky in the Maya civilization.
The quetzal’s association with independence
After Guatemala gained independence from Spain in the early 19th century, the quetzal became a prominent symbol of liberty and autonomy. This was inspired by the ancient Maya veneration of the quetzal as a free bird that died in captivity. According to Mesoamerican legend, the quetzal was ready to sacrifice its beautiful green tail feathers just to maintain freedom.
During the 1944 Guatemalan revolution that overthrew dictator Jorge Ubico, pro-democracy forces used the image of the quetzal on their publicity materials. After the establishment of a democratic government, the quetzal’s status as a symbol of Guatemalan independence and freedom was cemented by making it the national bird.
The quetzal resonated with the revolutionary sentiment of newly liberated Guatemalans seeking self-determination. Both as the sacred bird of the indigenous Maya people and as an embodiment of the human desire for freedom, the quetzal was the natural choice for representing the independent spirit of Guatemala.
The quetzal’s special connection to Guatemala
The resplendent quetzal is native and nearly endemic to the cloud forests of Central America. But unlike other regions, Guatemala is home to both subspecies of the quetzal – the northern subspecies Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno and the southern subspecies Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis.
Within Guatemala, the quetzal is most abundant in the mountainous cloud forests of the central and western highlands. The biosphere reserves of Sierra de las Minas and Los Cuchumatanes have significant quetzal populations. The native oak and pine forests interspersed with fruiting avocado trees provide an optimal habitat for the bird.
Guatemala is also home to the most accessible and reliable places to view wild quetzals, including Biotopo del Quetzal nature reserve. Due to the abundance and accessibility of quetzals in Guatemala, choosing it as the national symbol made perfect sense.
In addition, the quetzal’s green and red colors matched those of the original 1823 Guatemalan flag. The quetzal’s long tail feathers were also reminiscent of the shape of Guatemala’s geographic boundaries. These factors contributed to the unique affiliation between the quetzal and Guatemalan national identity.
Conservation efforts to protect the quetzal
Once abundant across Mesoamerica, quetzal populations had declined drastically during the 20th century owing to habitat loss. By the 1970s, the species had become threatened with extinction.
The Guatemalan government responded by taking steps to conserve the quetzal and its cloud forest habitat. The most significant effort was the creation of the 32,000-hectare Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve in 1990.
Other measures included prohibits logging in key forests, creating quetzal reserves, environmental education programs, breeding projects and community development initiatives near quetzal habitats. Efforts were also made to grow avocado orchards that mimic the bird’s natural habitat.
These initiatives helped quetzal populations stabilize and recover to some extent. The special conservation focus on Guatemala’s national symbol reiterated the quetzal’s importance as a national emblem representing the country’s ecological heritage.
The quetzal in Guatemalan culture and media
The quetzal permeates various aspects of Guatemalan culture and society. It is incorporated in indigenous art, literature, music, architecture and handicrafts. The bird also appears in the country’s currency, postal stamps, coat of arms and flag.
In the Guatemalan film and entertainment industry, quetzals often feature in movies that connect with the country’s cultural roots. For instance, the acclaimed film El Norte revolves around two indigenous K’iche’ siblings who flee army oppression and make a perilous journey towards the USA, denoted by the quetzal bird.
Guatemalan media channels and programs also have names inspired by the national bird such as Radio Quetzal, Quetzal TV, and various institutions and organizations. As a patriotic symbol, the image of the quetzal evokes pride and recognition among Guatemalans.
Tourism promotion focused on the quetzal
The Guatemalan tourism industry leverages the quetzal’s charisma by promoting birdwatching tours and quetzal trails across the country. Many private reserves with eco-lodges offer guided hikes to observe quetzals in breeding season between February and June.
Areas like Cerro San Gil, Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera, Las Victorias Cloud Forest and San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta are marketed as top quetzal viewing destinations. The vibrant annual Festival of the Quetzal is celebrated in early March in the town of Salcaja near Lake Atitlan.
By highlighting Guatemala’s signature bird, tourism campaigns aim to attract birders, nature lovers and cultural heritage enthusiasts from around the world. The quetzal’s global appeal helps promote Guatemala as an exotic travel destination.
The quetzal on the Guatemalan flag and coat of arms
The national flag of Guatemala features two crossed rifles and a scroll with the date of Central American independence, framed on a white backdrop. A vibrant image of a quetzal is centered on the white band, symbolizing liberation and national pride.
The greater coat of arms of Guatemala depicts the quetzal sitting on top of a parchment scroll and crossed olive and oak branches. On the scroll is the country’s motto “Liberty 15 September 1821”. Again, the quetzal represents the unfettered Guatemalan spirit.
Placing the quetzal front and center on these key national emblems underscores its role as the quintessential patriotic symbol representing freedom and autonomy of the Guatemalan people and nation.
Importance of the quetzal on the Guatemalan currency
The quetzal bird gives Guatemala’s currency its name and face value. The Guatemalan quetzal has been the official currency since 1925. On one side of the coins and bills are the state coat of arms bearing the quetzal.
Before the quetzal, Guatemala used the peso and real as currencies inherited from the Spanish Empire. Adopting the quetzal as legal tender symbolized financial and commercial independence.
The quetzal was chosen for its patriotic significance and because it was intrinsically Guatemalan, unlike the previous colonial currencies. The monetary value imbued upon the quetzal gave it added weight as a Guatemalan cultural icon.
Conclusion
The resplendent quetzal is the perfect national emblem for Guatemala due to its immense cultural resonance for the Maya civilization, its association with liberty, and its strong ecological connection with the country. Long revered by indigenous populations, the quetzal became a patriotic symbol after Guatemala’s independence and democratic revolution.
Conservation efforts to protect the quetzal also reaffirm its national importance. In Guatemalan popular culture, the iconic bird maintains a ubiquitous presence through art, media and traditions. By adopting the quetzal as currency, the nation further elevated its stature as the definitive symbol of Guatemala.