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National Symbols of Cape Verde

When Cape Verde's constitution was revised to establish multipartyism in 1992, new national symbols were created.

Article 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde establishes the symbols of national sovereignty: 

  •  The Flag;
  • The Anthem;
  • The National Weapons. 


As symbols of the Republic of Cape Verde, they represent the independence, unity and integrity of the country. 

 

1. The National Flag of Cape Verde

The current flag of Cape Verde was officially adopted in 1992 after the constitutional revision. From independence in 1975 until 1992, the flag of Cape Verde shared the same features as that of Guinea-Bissau, differing only in a few symbols.

National Flag of Cape Verde
National Flag of Cape Verde
Official description of the National Flag of Cape Verde

The flag is made up of five rectangles arranged lengthways and overlapping:

a) The upper and lower rectangles are blue, with the upper rectangle occupying an area equal to half of the flag and the lower rectangle occupying a quarter;

b) Separating the two blue rectangles, there are three stripes, each with an area equal to one-twelfth of the area of the flag;

c) The stripes adjacent to the blue rectangles are white and the one between them is red;

d) Above the five rectangles, ten five-pointed yellow stars, with the upper vertex at ninety degrees, define a circle whose center is at the intersection of the median of the second vertical quarter from the left and the median of the second horizontal quarter from the lower edge. The star closest to this edge is inscribed in an invisible circle whose center is on the median of the lower blue band.

 

Symbolism of the Cape Verde National Flag
  • Blue stripes: predominant in the flag, they represent the sea and the sky.
  • Yellow stars: symbolize the ten islands of the archipelago, arranged in a circle, a sign of unity.
  • Two white stripes and one red: they refer to the country's history of construction. The white symbolizes the peace we want, and the red the effort and struggle of the people.
  • Blue, white, red and yellow are considered the national colors of Cape Verde.

 

2. Cape Verde National Anthem

Cape Verde National Anthem
       Score of the Cape Verde National Anthem

O Song of Freedom is the National Anthem of Cape Verde, and was officially adopted in 1996.

The anthem is divided into three stanzas, two quatrains and a ninth.

Cape Verde national anthem
Cape Verde's national anthem

 

3. The Coat of Arms of Cape Verde

 

Coat of Arms of Cape Verde

 

Official description of the Coat of Arms of Cape Verde

The National Arms reflect a radial composition that presents, from the center to the periphery, the following elements:

a) A blue equilateral triangle on which a white torch is inscribed;

b) A circle bounding a space in which the words "REPUBLICA DE CABO VERDE" are inscribed from the left angle to the right of the triangle;

c) Three blue line segments parallel to the base of the triangle, bounded by the first circle;

d) A second circle;

e) A yellow plumb line, aligned with the vertex of the equilateral triangle, superimposed on the two circles at the top;

f) Three yellow links at the base of the composition, followed by two green palms and ten yellow five-pointed stars arranged symmetrically in two groups of five.

 
Symbolism of the Coat of Arms of Cape Verde
  • The plumb bob: symbolizes verticality and uprightness, which constitute the "key vault" of the Cape Verdean Constitution.
  • The equilateral triangle: represents unity, equality of civil rights recognized to the People by the democratic system.
  • The torchfreedom won after many years of sacrifice, torture and struggle against oppressors.
  • The seaThe "island": symbolizes nostalgia; the arm of water that surrounds the islands; the inspiration of poets; the sustenance of the people; the territory of the country.
  • ClappingThey represent the victory won in the struggle for national independence, a goal that animated the people and was their moral support during the difficult times of drought.
  • The stars: symbolize the ten islands that make up the archipelago of Cape Verde.

 

 

Sources:

Government of Cape Verde, Symbols of the Republic of Cape Verde

National Assembly, Symbols of the Republic of Cape Verde

Official Bulletin Nº16, Series I, April 21, 2008

Constitution of the Republic of Cape Verde