For Puerto Ricans it is a wonderful sight, a place to sit down and appreciate the privilege of being born on such a beautiful place. This is the case of the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico, flags that at first glance are exactly the same, with the exception that one uses the color red and the other blue, as if it were a photo with inverted colors. In the late 19th century, as pro-independence sentiment grew in the Caribbean islands under Spanish dominion, many activists in Cuba and Puerto Rico were exiled to the United States or elsewhere. During the transition, the United States made attempts to Americanize the people of Puerto Rico. History is much more than colors and stripes. New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London: American Literatures Initiative. Save. [3] (Eisenmann had assigned his patent, which had a term of three and a half years, to the State of Ohio on April 24. Passports, if they live within the 50 states they may vote for President but if they reside on the island, the privilege is lost. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. What is the point of Thrower's Bandolier? Puerto Ricans have U.S. The triangle contains a white five-pointed star to signify the Puerto Rican territory and hence represent "The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico." When Puerto Rico became an American territory, the Puerto Rican flag was outlawed from 1898 -1952. Meaning of Puerto Rico Flag The red stripes of the Puerto Rico flag symbolize the blood sacrifices of the people who fought for Puerto Rican independence from the Spanish. People hold the flag, wear the flag, and march with fellow Puerto Ricans that come from all different states songs. From 1895, provincial peso coins were issued as per order by the Royal Decree. There is a special feeling of patriotism in this small town up in the verdant mountains on the northwest of the island. Although these flags are similar and have a revolutionary essence in common, there is one more difference in addition to the aforementioned reverse colors, which lies in the official size format: the flag of Cuba is longer than that of Puerto Rico, having a ratio of 1:2 while the Puerto Rican a ratio of 2:3 Finally, an important detail is that Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, therefore its flag usually flies next to that of that country while that of Cuba, being an independent nation, usually flies alone. The bill was signed into law on June 10, 1948, by Jess T. Piero, the newly appointed governor by the United States. From 1819 to 1831 Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and other close territories formed one country known as Gran Colombia or Great Colombia (originally Repblica de Colombia). Puerto Rico's flag ( Bandera de Puerto Rico) is full of history, meaning, and national-cultural pride. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The flag of the United States was raised in Puerto Rico on October 18, 1898, when the U.S officially took control of the island during the Spanish-American War. When you think of all the Puerto Rican American citizens living stateside, the connection to the mainland is very clear. Here's a picture a the Puerto Rican flag: Is there a historical reason why it looks pretty much like the flag of the U.S.A.? Answer: The Cuban flag came first when it was designed in 1849 by Narciso Lpez. 6. ensea: flag, insignia They had ships that carried their cargo along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and in order to give their captain an advantage when encountering pirates or other hostile vessels, they used a maritime flag similar to what Samuel had seen the Chilean Navy use in South America.. Como el cario que aun guardas El Presidente dio un emotivo discurso con la bandera ondeando a sus espaldas. Cuba and Puerto Rico"Two Wings of the Same Bird", Industrialization and Expansion (1877-1913), Cuban Immigration, Puerto Rican Migration, "To Increase Common Labor Supply with Porto Ricans", Interview with a Puerto Rican Cigarworker in New York, https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/2501. The fact is, the majority of Puerto Ricans want Puerto Rico to cease being a territory and have the beloved star of the Puerto Rican flag become part of the great American flag. When the U.S. flag is flown with other flags on separate flagpoles that are all the same height, the U.S. flag should always be placed on the pole furthest to the left as it is most commonly observed (such as from the street or when facing a podium). A flag vendor in Arkansas has described the procedure as "quite a challenge".[23]. el que suprime a su pueblo, Patria es un sentimiento despus de muerta abuela An equilateral triangle of blue fills the width of the hoist and extends toward the center. Our favorite flags on the beach are located at Survival Beach in Aguadilla and Playa Pastillo in Isabela. Author of. Ohio is not the only state that has designated a folding procedure for its flag;[22] however, Ohio's procedure takes on special importance due to the flag's irregular shape. After the disintegration of Gran Colombia, the resulting countries continued to use the colors of this extinct nation as a sign of their common heritage. The "O" represents the "O" in "Ohio" and suggests the state's nickname, the buckeye state. Mexico and Italy: Pure coincidence It shall have a white star in each of the four corners on an oblong scarlet background with the official seal of the state of Ohio in the center surrounded by thirteen white stars. It became law on May 9,[16] making it the 20th U.S. state flag or banner. The flag of the governor of Ohio consists of the Great Seal of Ohio encircled with 13 white stars on a scarlet field, with a five-point star in each corner. In the songPatria, Bandera, Bandera, Bandera(flag, flag, flag), is used in a sentimental way to sum all things Patria, the love and memories in the hearts of those that love their homeland, the reason why martyrs fought, sacrificed and ultimately died. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A new updated flag united them as a country. Have you ever wondered why the flags of Puerto Rico and Cuba are so similar? Consider the Cuban flag: The flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is basically the Cuban Flag with the red and blue colours reversed. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In New York City a flag was chosen in exile by the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party on December 22, 1895. Each municipality has their own flag. The design for the Puerto Rican flag was adopted by a committee of exiles living in New York during the mid-1890s. From 1815, the banknotes were no longer printed. The Ohio flag has influenced a number of logos and municipal flags within the state. . (2014). The original flag was flown at the Grito de Lares, Puerto Rico's first major revolt against Spanish rule in 1868.Back then, the flag was blue on top and red on the bottom with a white cross intersecting the middle and a white star in the top left corner. The new trend seems to be going back to celestial blue. The Ohio state flag's design is defined in the Ohio Revised Code, section 5.01: The flag of the state shall be burgee-shaped. Delta Overall score based on 29327 reviews. Copyright 2023 American Social History Productions, Inc. Who Freed the Slaves? He developed a distinctive flag to fly over each corner of the Ohio Building. The navy blue triangle is more widely used, it is used in all official buildings. The American pride is clear in Major League Baseball, Puerto Ricans have historically played a major role in the sport, they happily play for the American team and hold up the flag, and when nostalgia and Patria (homeland) pride kicks in, they will hold up their beloved Puerto Rican flag. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Flag Specifications. descheleschilder 5 mins ago edit, @user100487 It had to do with the movement for independence for the islands from Spain, but by all means ask a new question. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Its red, white, and blue elements symbolize the state's natural features and order of admission into the Union. He introduced several changes on the royal arms and the flag was reduced to white with an off-center crowned . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The National Flag of Puerto Rico features five equal horizontal bands of red (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white. Why is there a voltage on my HDMI and coaxial cables? de dictaduras o encierros This flag was first flown on March 24, 1897, during a revolt in the town of Yauco known as the Intentona de Yauco, the second and last revolt against the colonial rule of Spain, led by the pro-independence movement. [8], For nearly a century after statehood, Ohio had no legally authorized state flag. Crashboat Beach in Aguadilla is the most popular, as the name suggests, many fishermen boats crash on the north end of the beach, a great spot for photographers with the sun setting on the water as a background. It does not store any personal data. Interestingly, from 1898 to 1952 it was a crime to raise the flag of Puerto Rico and doing so could be punished with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The proportional dimensions of the flag and of its various parts shall be according to a design approved by the adjutant general and in accordance with the governor's flag used by the adjutant general's office for over thirty years. They sing in tune songs like Que Bonita Bandera, Preciosa, and La Borinquea. and refers to St. John the Baptist. puerto rico flag vector. The flag tells tales of past dreams, current life on the island, and hopes for the future. The adaptation of the Cuban flag with the colors inverted was suggested by the patriot Francisco Gonzalo Marn in a letter which he . Sol de eterna primavera The Puerto Rico flag was formally adopted on December 22, 1895.Since, Puerto Rico has maintained the same flag for the last 128 years.. La bandera se puede sugetar de un asta o colgar de una driza. Airline reviews. Repeat the folds a total of fourteen times, alternating the folds in a fan-like manner. [31][32] One such flag hangs in the Rutherford B. Hayes Center Library, a memorial to the 32nd Ohio governor and 19th U.S. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The letter F on the right and a bunch of tied arrows point to Ferdinand II. 8. izar la bandera: raise the flag Best Beaches in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Flag (Bandera de Puerto Rico). The two white stripes symbolizing the rights of man and the freedom of the individual, are a perpetual reminder of the need for vigilance of a democratic government is to be preserved. This transition brought a new series of events that propel such national pride demonstrations. Lpez's flag was the model for the flag of Puerto Rico adopted in 1892 by the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee, a pro-independence group that worked under the auspices of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. #Venezuela Te amo y te distingo. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We have included music and photo galleries of images taken around the island. From 1492 onwards, when the entirety of Puerto Rico fell under Spanish control, the Spanish government hoisted their national flag in the territory. A few argue that the original color is indigo blue like the Cuban flag since the design of the Puerto Rican flag was exactly like it with the colors inverted. It is not about ideological or political motives, nor does it have to do with a cultural meaning such as that of the flags of the Nordic countries. The designs of the Italian and Mexican flags are similar: green, white and red vertical stripes in the exact same order. It also represents individual liberty and the rights that keep the government in balance. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. El escudo de la bandera de Mxico ha variado a travs de los aos. Outlawing the flag ignites the creation of one of the biggest cultural pride parades. Both countries were allied under the common cause of political reforms and independence from Spain; the group of Puerto Rican separatists who adopted the flag design as their groups emblem was associated with Cuban separatists who fought with the same ideals under the Cuban Revolutionary Party. The Puerto Rican Parade in New York City is one of the biggest cultural pride demonstrations in the United States and the world. The Puerto Rico flag was voted 6th best out of 51 Flags ranked by the North American Vexillological Association.. The flag was embroidered by MarielaBracetti. Such is the pride of the Puertorriqueo, El Jibarito, Afro-Taino that no matter where they make their residence whether on the Island or abroad you will see them showing their flag. During U.S. administration of Puerto Rico following the Spanish-American War (1898), the flag was frequently treated as a revolutionary provocation. These steps entail three folds. Los colores de las banderas de Cuba y Puerto Rico son rojo, blanco y azul. The only difference is that the flag of Ghana has a black star in the center. Like. Flor de barrio, hermanito Flag flap: Indiana veteran, wife battle homeowners association over Old Glory. If you visit the Island you will find the flag embedded almost everywhere; from a pair of earrings to graffiti on concrete walls. [9], By the early 1850s, Ohio expressed interest in adopting a state flag, as several other states had already done. Following are two known facts about the symbolism of the Puerto Rico flag (Gutterman D., 1998). Puerto Rico Travel & Tourism Guide While it is not known for sure who designed the later flag, the two flag designs reflect the close ties between pro-independence activists from both countries who continued their work from the relative safety of New York City. San Juan Cruise Excursions Just at about every plaza, visitors can find souvenir shops with gifts crafted by local artisans. Omissions? Why did Kabila discard the name and flag of Zaire? La patria no la define No quiero que piensen (cont) http://t.co/cvJIf71T0f, Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) August 7, 2013. The result is a total of seventeen folds symbolizing that Ohio was the seventeenth state admitted to the Union. (3) Poet Francisco Matos Paoli from the town of Lares, faced a prison sentence of 20 years, later reduced to 10 years, the evidence used against him found by police in his home was a Puerto Rican flag and four speeches about Puerto Ricos independence; he shared a jail cell with Pedro Albizu Campos. Similar sentiment hindered the adoption of municipal flags in Cleveland and Cincinnati, to the extent that both were downplayed as mere "banners" for promotional purposes. In 1916, the Puerto Rican dollar was withdrawn from circulation. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Symbolism approved by the United States Congress in 1952. The first time a flag was used in Puerto Ricos territory was when Christopher Columbus arrived in the region and hoisted the Spanish Royal Flag. The conflict that is still discussed today about the flag is the color of the triangle. It was discussed that when Puerto Rico became Estado Libre Asociado (Free Associated State), the blue tone of the triangle was not defined. The 3 main colors in the Puerto Rico flag are #ED0000, #FFFFFF, and #0050F0.The Puerto Rico flag width is 1.5 times the height. 7.8 Comfort. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. puerto rico flag icon. The meaning behind the white bars was changed to represent the new republican system of government while the blue was changed to a darker tone to make it similar to the American flag. When Puerto Rico became an American territory, the Puerto Rican flag was outlawed from 1898 -1952. 10 countries with Blue Red and Yellow flags (Colors, Symbols, Facts), 12 countries with blue and white flags (Colors, Symbols, Facts), 3 countries with green and white flags (Colors, Symbols, Facts), The flag of Finland in the style of Brazilian flag. Last week a terrible ruckus was formed when a manipulated video of Venezuelas President Nicols Maduro supposedly confusing the Cuban and Puerto Rican flags circulated on the web. It was not until the 1950s when the political mentality focus on cultural nationalism became the ideology of the Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. (Duany, 2017), Original Symbolism of the Puerto Rican Flag. Fold the flag in half lengthwise a second time to form a long strip with the red disc facing the ground. Corrections? The National Flag is the highest expression of Nationality and pride for the Motherland. [13], In 1901, Cleveland architect John Eisenmann was commissioned to design an exhibition hall for his state at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. The new Malecon in Aguadilla also has some boats, a little further north there are more boats with flags at Rompeolas beach. At the center of the plaza, theres a small monument with the bust of Ramn Emeterio Betances with a flag of Lares painted on the column. Following are other flags flown in Puerto Rico under Spanish imperialism. It was adopted in 1869 and officially in 1902 as the flag of independent Cuba. Unfortunately for the Boston newspaper, it made this discovery only. To fill in the reserve, a shipment of gold, known as Situado Mexicano - was sent by the Viceroyalty of New Spain to Puerto Rico for economic support. Puerto Rico's flag features a navy blue triangle on the left side with a single white star. [19], In the century following its adoption, the guidon gained significant popularity, being flown not only by the state but frequently also by its residents and businesses.[3]. The three red strips symbolize the blood that feeds those parts of the government. (4). [17]), Because Eisenmann's design deviated from the "seal on a bedsheet" design then nearly universal among state flags, the press looked overseas for precedents: the layout was likened to either the flag of Cuba[18] or of the Philippines,[19] while the red and white annulus was derided for its similarity to the sun on the Japanese flag. Like. Get your Spanish classes planned for the entire year with Access hundreds of Spanish lesson plans, scaffolded cultural activities, presentations, song activities, and more. People seem to be especially friendly with a quiet and humbling sense of pride. Published 12/23/2004 Retrieved August 26, 2017 http://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/cualeselazulcorrectodelabanderapuertorriquena-1055126, Cruz, M. A. Our favorite display of the flag is painted on an old pick up truck humbly detailed Jibaro style; the owner is super friendly, ready to help visitors and answer any question, he sells souvenirs, traditional music cds and more with you guessed it, the Puerto Rican and Lares flags as the main theme. The Flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is rectangular in shape and consists of five alternating horizontal stripes, three red and two white, with an isosceles triangle with a five-pointed white star in the center based on the hoist side. Como aquel viejo rbol 1 dollar is divided into 100 cents. The three blue stripes represent the three departments in which Cuba was divided at that time, the white purity of ideals, the light; the red triangle, originating from the French Revolution and the three ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity: red for the blood and the courage; the star was the new state that should be added to the United States. Free for commercial use High Quality Images Traveling back in time, it all commenced with the accelerated tyrannical state in which the people of Puerto Rico were living imposed by the oppressive power of Colonial Spain. What made Puerto Ricans demonstrate such a patriarchal display? Some insist that Antonio Vlez Alvarado conceived the flag and that it was sewn by Micaela Dalmau de Carreras, while others point to Manuel de Besosa as the designer and his daughter Mima as the seamstress. On the other hand, the flag of Ghana was designed in 1957 and it uses the Pan-African colors (red, green, black / red, green, yellow) first used by the Ethiopian Empire in 1897. The thirteen stars grouped around the "O" represent the original states of the United States and the four stars added to the peak of the triangle symbolize that Ohio was the seventeenth state admitted to the union. Early Twentieth Century Mexican Immigration to the U.S. The blue triangle on the flag's hoist side stands for the "Republican Government", where its three sides signify the three branches - executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government. Why did Puerto Rican families send their children to New York? Antonio Rossell Nevares,the current Governor from PartidoNuevoProgresista(PNP) (New Progressive Party) is strongly advocating for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state, ultimately the decision is in the hands of the members of Congress. On July 18, Governor George K. Nash visited the exposition, where he was presented with one of the flags,[3] which is now held in the Ohio History Connection collections. As for the Puerto Rican flag specifically, it was considered a felony to display the flag from 1898, when the island became a U.S. colony, until 1952. Your right to display the United States flag is protected by federal law. starline. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Puerto-Rico, CRW Flags - Flag of Puerto Rico, United States. Those that prefer independence fervently favor celestial blue, those that favor statehood favor the U.S.A. flags navy blue. Upon the blue triangle, a white five-pointed star is charged. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Puerto Rico became a United States territory in 1917. The original flag was celestial blue, locals still prefer the original color; all government offices use the navy blue version which is said was changed to match the American Flag, just as it occurred with the current Puerto Rican flag design. In 2002, the Ohio General Assembly commemorated the 100th anniversary of the state flag's adoption by adopting a salute to the flag, to be recited after the Pledge of Allegiance: I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty. The similarities between the Cuban (top) and Puerto Rican (bottom) flags are not accidental. The Ohio Burgee is the official flag of the U.S. state of Ohio. A blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center. With its five alternating stripes (three blue and two white), red equilateral triangle at the hoist, and white five-pointed star planted . Luis Muoz Marin, then president of the Puerto Rican Senate, passed the bill Law 53 of 1948 (Ley de la Mordaza) in English known as the Gag Law. 7.9. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The efforts to maintain the union came to an end, but this last trio maintains similar flags. The Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee used the flag in their quest to liberate Puerto Rico on March 24, 1897. The procedure is as follows: With the flag unfolded, fold the flag in half lengthwise so that the points of the flag are aligned. This spectacular parade roots from Law 53, Puerto Ricans never take for granted their ability to hold, display, wear, embrace or sing to their beloved Monoestrellada flag. In 1868, independence leader Ramn Emeterio Betances urged Mariana Bracetti to create a revolutionary flag using the Dominican flag as an example. Therefore, the Puerto Rican flag was a symbol of revolution and was even banned by law for 54 years (from 1898-1952) when Puerto Rico became an American territory. Later, the flag of Puerto Rico was designed by Dr. Ramn Emeterio Betances in 1868. The union of the flag shall be seventeen five-pointed stars, white in a blue triangular field that represents the state's hills and valleys, the base of which shall be the staff end or vertical edge of the flag, and the apex of which shall be the center of the middle red stripe. Later on, the union was dissolved but each country kept similar elements like the color combination. Interestingly, from 1898 to 1952 it was a crime to raise the flag of Puerto Rico and doing so could be punished with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A flag with a shield could be used in official acts, but ships should carry a flag without a shield (according to maritime rule). In 1873, a new colonial flag was introduced by the Spanish government, a design that resembled the flag of Spain, with a coat of arms in the center. What was the nature and extent of forced or coerced sterilization in Puerto Rico from the 1940s-1970s? The original meaning of the flag was described in a letter written by Maria Manuela who was the daughter of Manuel Besosa, a revolutionary committee member. [3][20] In 1903, it was reported that, among state politicians, only Nash displayed the guidon. One unsuccessful proposal had called for a design based on the state seal. As United States citizens, Puerto Ricans are offended when most mainland citizens are unaware of the fact that Puerto Ricans are citizens as well. Did any DOS compatibility layers exist for any UNIX-like systems before DOS started to become outmoded? So, is this just coincidence, is it a form that is just popular or is there a historical reason for it? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. [3][4] The flag has been officially defined as a "burgee" since 2002,[5][6] even though burgees are typically used as maritime flags. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Our Polyester American Flags are 100% made in the USA and has an open weave made with two-ply material. Patria son tantas cosas bellas, Son las paredes de un barrio Back in 1511, Spain issues an official flag for Puerto Rico, based in the Coat of Arms authorized by the Spanish monarchs. The original flag is exhibited a the Museum of the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. As a bonus, here are some flag related Spanish vocabulary words and phrases: 1. asta: flag pole It shall have three red and two white horizontal stripes that represent the roads and waterways of the state. The dining table often ended up turning into a Dominos table, each piece engraved with the Puerto Rican flag. Although the history of our flag clearly focuses on nationalists desire for independence, if you were to visit Puerto Rico youll see that many residents are quite Americanized in many aspects of everyday life, most of the private schools are bilingual, and there are more Puerto Ricans living in the United States than on the island. Maybe you can even confuse them. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. If you explore the beaches around the island you may find a pole with the flag on a rock rising from the water in unexpected spots. ISBN 978-0-8135-6548-4 (e-book), Duany, J. Ask any islander and with lavished patriotic pride they will share their nostalgic conviction in regards to the Puerto Rican flag. 98,000+ Vectors, Stock Photos & PSD files. 2. bandera: flag Thanks for contributing an answer to History Stack Exchange! Next, fold the pointed end back onto itself to form a rectangle. The adjutant general's office adopted this design in 1905 to represent the governor on official occasions. Expansion at the Turn of the Twentieth Century, Why They Fought: Ordinary Soldiers in the Civil War, Two Wings of the Same Bird: Cuban Immigration and Puerto Rican Migration to the United States, Military History and the LGBTQ+ Community, Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), Comparing the Cuban and Puerto Rican Flags, Graphs of Cuban and Puerto Rican Immigration to the United States, An Ybor City Resident Describes Work in the Cigar Factories, A Spanish-language Newspaper in Tampa, Florida, Background Essay on Cuban Immigration and Puerto Rican Migration to the United States. In addition to traditional flag poles, youll find fishermen boats painted with flags, the best towns for observing boats are on the west coast of Puerto Rico. The White part represents liberty, victory, and peace. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? There are 5 National flags that feature a building on them. While in a foreign land or the mainland of the United States, the flag is proudly placed in the homes, as they go in their daily life, the flag brings on memories of great times mixed with nostalgia and melancholy of what life could have been if only they could have stayed in their beloved Borinquen. The current official meaning behind the Puerto Rican flag is the following: the triangle symbolizes the government's three branches: the executive, legislative and judicial branches . Son los mrtires que gritan This resulted in the design of a third flag similar to the one we know today where the star is incorporated. Puerto Rico used its gold as its currency, but by the 16th century, the gold reserves were diminished. According to one tourist site, the symbolism is as follows: The white star stands for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico while the three sides of the equilateral triangle together represent the three branches of the Republican government (executive, legislative and judicial branches).