Flag of El SalvadorRepública de El Salvador

What the flag looks like

The Salvadoran flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white (middle) and blue (bottom). The national flag (bandera nacional) is the plain version used by citizens, while the state flag (bandera de estado) adds the Salvadoran coat of arms in the center of the white band. The proportion is 3:5. It was adopted on 17 May 1912, and the current proportions and design were standardized on 25 November 1972.

Colors and meaning

Blue represents the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the sky, loyalty, justice and brotherhood of the Salvadoran people, and white represents peace, purity and the land between the two oceans. The colors derive from the flag of the United Provinces of Central America, which El Salvador was part of from 1823 to 1841.

Blue

Represents the two oceans that border Central America — the Pacific and the Caribbean — and the sky, loyalty, justice and brotherhood of the Salvadoran people.

White

Represents peace, purity and the land between the two oceans. White also represents the desire for peace and unity in Central America.

Coat of arms (state flag)

The Salvadoran coat of arms features a triangle containing five volcanoes rising from the sea, a rising sun, a rainbow and a Phrygian cap of liberty. Around the triangle is a wreath of laurel and 14 stars representing the 14 departments of El Salvador.

Five volcanoes

Represent the five original provinces of the United Provinces of Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

History and adoption

El Salvador declared independence from Spain in 1821 and joined the United Provinces of Central America in 1823, adopting the blue-white-blue tricolor of the federation. When the federation dissolved in 1841, El Salvador continued to use the tricolor with various emblems. Between 1865 and 1912, the flag briefly featured red and white stripes, inspired by the United States flag, before the blue-white-blue tricolor was restored. The current design was formally adopted on 17 May 1912 and standardized on 25 November 1972 with updated proportions and a revised coat of arms. The design has remained unchanged since.

Key facts

Adopted

17 May 1912

Proportion

3:5

Designer

Based on the flag of the United Provinces of Central America

Capital

San Salvador

Country code

SV

Similar flags

Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala

Historical and related flags

El Salvador has used several flags across its colonial, federal and independent periods, including a brief red-and-white period in the 19th century.

• Spanish colonial (pre-1821): Spanish flag used during colonial rule.
• United Provinces of Central America (1823–1841): Blue-white-blue tricolor of the federation.
• Independent El Salvador (1841–1865): Blue-white-blue tricolor with early coat of arms.
• Red and white flag (1865–1912): Briefly used red and white stripes inspired by the United States.
• Current design (1912–present): Blue-white-blue tricolor restored.
• State flag: With coat of arms, used by the government.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of El Salvador look like?

The flag of El Salvador has three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white (middle) and blue (bottom). The state flag adds the Salvadoran coat of arms in the center of the white band. The proportion is 3:5.

When was the flag of El Salvador adopted?

The current flag of El Salvador was officially adopted on 17 May 1912.

What do the colors mean?

Blue represents the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the sky, loyalty, justice and brotherhood of the Salvadoran people, and white represents peace, purity and the land between the two oceans. The colors derive from the flag of the United Provinces of Central America, which El Salvador was part of from 1823 to 1841.

Which flags look similar to the El Salvador flag?

Nicaragua and Honduras use the same blue-white-blue tricolor with different emblems in the center. Guatemala uses vertical blue-white-blue bands. El Salvador's coat of arms with 14 stars and the triangle design is unique to El Salvador.