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Pico Rivera, California

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 3 July 2005

Flag Description

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Flag Description

The website at www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us does not seem to show an actual municipal seal per se, but the city logo looks like it might be the upper half of one. It consists of a semicircle bordered both externally and internally by a jagged gold border, the difference being that in the external border the teeth point outwards while in the internal one they point inwards. The outer circle is dark blue, with the words 'PICO RIVERA' in large white block lettering. The central image appears to be either a ceramic plate or a piece of embroidery in a folk art motif, with a large multi-pointed star in violet outlined in gold surmounted by interleaved stylized flowers and buds, the flowers in purple and the buds in green.
Ron Lahav, 10 April 2005

I received a document from the Pico Rivera, California, Public Information Department regarding the municipal seal of that city. In a separate document, an unnamed member of the Department has informed me that there are two unofficial versions of a municipal flag, one with the seal on an orange background and one on a vermillion background. The unnamed individual further said that he/she didn't know which was older or indeed anything about them, other than that there appeared to be equal numbers of both.

The second document records:

Steeped in tradition, the City Seal was designed at the time of Pico Rivera's incorporation in 1958. The seal is recognized as the official mark and endorsement of the City of Pico Rivera and is used both for "official" proceedings and ceremonial purposes. While the symbols featured on the seal may at first appear to be random, each was carefully selected for inclusion to represent the many aspects of the community, its people, its heritage and its future.
The overall design emblematically portrays the city's place in the sun with the golden corona of a sunburst enclosing and highlighting the interior symbols. In the center of the seal, reflecting the gold of the sun stands the family. The family dominates the seal as it does the City. Our city exists for the people, and the people in turn add life and meaning to other symbols of the community. Surrounding the family and superimposed on a sky blue background, are the symbols that connect the past with the present and project the family into the future. At the top is the crossed sword, pike and helmet of the Conquistador, representing the city's proud Latino heritage and the community's first residents. To the right of the seal are the avocado, orange and walnut, reminders of the sprawling acres of citrus, avocado and walnut groves on which the separate communities of Pico and Rivera were born. As the city prospered and grew, the people built houses and places of worship, and agriculture gave way to new industries.

Ron Lahav, 28 June 2005