Flag and emblem of Mava

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Flag of Mava
Flag of Mava
UseNational flag and ensign
Proportion2:3
Adopted10 April 1978
DesignA horizontal bicolour of white and blue with a countersharged wave mirrored horizontally.
Coat of arms of Mava
Coat of Arms of Mava.png
Adopted10 April 1978
BlazonPer fess Azure a representation of a mountain range with moon and stars; and argent a ship Or atop barry wavy of three pieces Azure and Argent; over-all in the dexter chief point Gules charged with the Emblem of Atitlan
MottoMaava alikki

The flag and the coat of arms of Mava are the state symbols of Mava, an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan. The symbols were adopted by Mava Council in 1978 on 10 April 1978 and were formally proclaimed by Administrator Nakulaq Inamuyak on behalf of Governor Antonio Jose Abarquero on 4 September 1978.

The flag is a public symbol and there are few restrictions on its use. The coat of arms is used to represent the government and may not be used in a private or commercial capacity.

Flag

Until 1978, Mava had no distinctive flag or coat of arms of its own. From its annexation in 1836 the Atitlanese flag and emblem had been used to signify its sovereignty over the islands. Although a number of private, unofficial flags had been used, none were recognised and none enjoyed continued use. In 1972, following self-government, plans for a new flag were announced by the government, with a competition held to design it. In April 1978 Mava Council approved the adoption of the Kaamatuulikalat ("Our Blue Flag"), designed by college student Aalanaq Kukiatok.

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural and geographical meanings. The general design, featuring a mirrored wave, symbolises the landscape as seen arriving from the ocean, symbolising the "return home" as well as being a visible reference to the flag's intention to represent the island. The colour scheme also has geographical significance, representing the sea and snow which predominate life in Mava. The design was first described in the Flag Act (Mava) 1978, with more detailed specifications laid out in the National Symbols (Specifications) (Mava) Act 1992.

The aspect ratio of its length to breadth is 3:2, the same as the Atitlanese flag.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Mava concists of a shield divided horizontally. In the top half is a representation of a mountain range at night, with the moon and stars in a blue sky. The bottom half features a golden ship atop some waves. The designs represent both Mava and Atitlan, with the mountains symbolising Mava's geography and the ship symbolising Atitlan's discovery of the islands in the 19th century. In the canton is the national emblem of Atitlan charged on a red background. Below the shield is a scroll featuring the motto Maava alikki ("Mava live")

The coat of arms were designed by the Federal College of Heralds in 1977 in Atitlan and formally adopted alongside the flag.

See also

External links