Colorful and popular, these two flags are often confused.
The Cusco flag, an emblem that has withstood the test of time and the vicissitudes of history, is often mistaken for the flag of the already popular LGBT community. Both flags, colorful and eye-catching, are very similar as their horizontal stripes of colors represent the splendor of the rainbow.
Similarities
The first thing that may catch our attention is that both standards have almost the same colors in their composition. So, if you ever confused one with the other, you shouldn’t worry because many travelers have also experienced this. Secondly, it is worth mentioning that both flags came to light in the seventies.
Differences
In comparison the Cusco standard has seven colors, the LGBT community standard has six. The Cusco flag has seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue, and purple; and on the other hand, the LGBT community flag has the same, except for light blue.
It is also known that in 2021, the Council of the Provincial Municipality of Cusco made a historic decision to include the Cusco coat of arms in the center of the flag, also known as the Sun of Echenique. Thereby creating a more marked difference between both aforementioned emblems.
A brief history of the origin of the Cusco flag.
In the vibrant history of the Cusco flag, we find a fascinating mixture of color and symbolism that takes us through the intricate paths of its evolution and meaning.
On the one hand, it is said that the Cusco flag emerged when Raul Montesinos Espejo, founder of Radio Tawantinsuyo, introduced the flag in the 1970s as a tribute to Inca culture. However, its association with the Tahuantinsuyo has been controversial, as Peruvian historiography maintains that the Incas never had a flag.
On the other hand, according to former Cusco mayor Julio Gilberto Muñiz Caparó, it was during his municipal administration (1975-1980) that the idea of the Cusco flag was adopted at the suggestion of the Franco-Peruvian Flora Tristan.
A brief history of the origin of the LGBT flag
The famous rainbow flag, created by artist and activist Gilbert Baker in San Francisco in the late 70s, is an iconic symbol of the LGBT movement. It was Harvey Milk, the activist and politician, who commissioned Baker to design a flag for the Gay Freedom Day parade in 1978. Tragically, shortly after the commission, Milk was killed, but his legacy lived on through the flags that began to wave through the streets of San Francisco, rapidly increasing their popularity.
To remember
We can conclude by saying that the flags of Cusco and the LGBT community, despite their striking visual similarity, represent very different histories and meanings. While both standards display a range of colors reflecting the diversity and splendor of the rainbow, their differences are palpable. While the Cusco flag dives into the rich cultural history of the region, its origin is interwoven in the disputed narrative of Inca heritage. On the other hand, the LGBT flag is recognized by many as a symbol of the fight for equality and acceptance. Two emblems, two stories, a rainbow that embraces the uniqueness and identity of each one.
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