Peru Flag

Flag History

According to legend, General Jose de San Martin saw a great number of flamingos when he arrived in Peru in 1820. Taking this as a good omen, he decided that white and red should be the colors of the Peruvian Legion that he founded to liberate Peru. The white represents peace, dignity, and progress. The red symbolizes war and courage. In the state flag the arms show symbols of the animal kingdom, vegetable kingdom, and mineral kingdom. The laurel wreath above the shield is a symbol of the republic. The palm and laurel wreath around the shield is a symbol of peace and the will to defend the country.

Flag Date of Adoption

25 February 1825

Flag Symbolism

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red. The state flag also has a coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath

Peru National Anthem

Listen to National Anthem
Anthem History "Somos libres, seámoslo siempre" is the national anthem of Perú and was written by José de La Torre Ugarte and composed by José Bernardo Alcedo, who won a contest run by Don José de San Martín, known for being the liberator of Perú , in 1821. It was performed for the first time by Rosa Merino in the Municipal Theater of Lima
Anthem Lyrics

Somos libres, seámoslo siempre



Coro


Somos libres, seámoslo siempre


y antes niegue sus luces el sol,


que faltemos al voto solemne


que la patria al Eterno elevó.

Largo tiempo el peruano oprimido


la ominosa cadena arrastró;


condenado a cruel servidumbre


largo tiempo en silencio gimió.

Mas apenas el grito sagrado


¡Libertad! En sus costas se oyó,


la indolencia de esclavo sacude,


la humillada cerviz levantó.

Ya el estruendo de broncas cadenas


que escuchamos tres siglos de horror,


de los libres al grito sagrado


que oyó atónito el mundo, cesó.

Por doquier San Martín inflamado,


Libertad, libertad, pronunció,


y meciendo su base los Andes


la anunciaron, también a una voz.

Con su influjo los pueblos despiertan


y cual rayo corrió la opinión;


desde el itsmo a las tierras del fuego


desde el fuego a la helada región.

Todos juran romper el enlace


que natura a ambos mundos negó,


y quebrar ese cetro que España,


reclinaba orgullosa en los dos.

Lima, cumple ese voto solemne,


y, severa, su enojo mostró,


al tirano impotente lanzando,


que intentaba alargar su opresión.

A su esfuerzo sellaron los grillos


y los surcos que en sí reparó,


le atizaron el odio y venganza


que heredara de su Inca y Señor.

Compatriotas, no más verla esclava


si humillada tres siglos gimió,


para siempre jurémosla libre


manteniendo su propio esplendor.

Nuestros brazos, hasta hoy desarmados


estén siempre cebando el cañón,


que algú n día las playas de Iberia


sentirán de su estruendo el terror.

En su cima los Andes sostengan


la bandera o pendón bicolor,


que a los siglos anuncie el esfuerzo


que ser libres, por siempre nos dió.

A su sombra vivamos tranquilos,


y al nacer por sus cumbres el sol,


renovemos el gran juramento


que rendimos al Dios de Jacob.

Anthem Lyrics English CHORUS


We are free, let's always be so


and may the sun deny its light


if we fail the solemn vow


that the motherland swore to the Eternal One.

For a long time the oppresed Peruvian


dragged the ominous chain;


condemned to a cruel servitude


for a long time he cried in silence.

But once the sacred cry


Freedom! in its coasts it was heard


the slave's indolence shakes,


the humilliated neck he raised.

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