Monumento a Los Símbolos, Caracas

The popularly named Paseo Los Próceres has three consecutive avenues; Los Ilustres, Los Símbolos and Los Próceres. Where the first two join, one finds the Monumento a Los Símbolos with its marble pedestal, upon which three figures congregate to represent the shield, the flag and the national anthem of Venezuela. The shield dates from 1836, and was last modified in 1953. At present, a new design for the shield is being proposed. The flag was flown for the first time in 1806 by Francisco de Miranda, before the Independence. The flag's composition of three horizontal strips of yellow, blue and red, with seven stars forming an arch at its center, was first adopted in 1954. The national anthem "Glory to the Brave People," composed immediately after the Independence in the 1820s, was declared the official national anthem in 1881. Lyrics were written by Vicente Salias and the music was attributed to either Juan Jose Landaeta or Lino Gallardo.