South American Flags
Discover the flags of all 12 South American nations. From Brazil's celestial sphere to Argentina's sun, the Bolivarian colors of liberation to the unique designs of Guyana and Suriname, explore the independence movements, indigenous heritage, and shared revolutionary history that shaped this continent's flags.
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Argentina
Adopted 1812
Three horizontal stripes of light blue, white, and light blue with a golden sun (Sol de Mayo) in the center, created by Manuel Belgrano during the independence wars and representing the clear skies after the storm of Spanish rule, the snow-capped Andes mountains, and the May Revolution that began Argentina's path to freedom.
Bolivia
Adopted 1851
Three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and blue, with the national coat of arms centered on the yellow stripe in the state flag, representing the valor of the army, the mineral wealth of the nation, and the sky and sea that Bolivia once possessed before losing its coastline to Chile.
Brazil
Adopted 1992
Green field with yellow diamond containing a blue celestial globe with the motto 'Ordem e Progresso'.
Chile
Adopted 1817
Two horizontal stripes of white over red with a blue square in the upper hoist containing a white five-pointed star, representing the sky and Pacific Ocean, the snow-capped Andes Mountains, the blood of patriots, and the guiding star of progress.
Colombia
Adopted 1861
Three horizontal stripes with yellow taking the top half and blue and red each taking a quarter, representing the golden wealth of the land, the seas and rivers, and the blood shed for independence from Spanish rule.
Ecuador
Adopted 1860
Three horizontal stripes with yellow taking the top half and blue and red each taking a quarter, featuring the national coat of arms in the center, representing the abundance of the land, the sky and ocean, and the blood shed for independence.
Guyana
Adopted 1966
A green field with a yellow arrowhead bordered in white pointing toward the fly, and a red triangle bordered in black at the hoist, known as 'The Golden Arrowhead,' representing the country's natural resources, diversity, and forward progress.
Paraguay
Adopted 1842
A horizontal tricolor of red, white, and blue. Unique among national flags, Paraguay’s flag has different emblems on the obverse and reverse sides: the national coat of arms on the front, and the treasury seal on the back.
Peru
Adopted 1825
A vertical triband of red, white, and red. The civil flag is a simple triband, while the state flag includes the national coat of arms in the center white band. The design reflects Peru’s struggle for independence and its natural richness.
Suriname
Adopted 1975
Five horizontal stripes of green, white, red, white, and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center of the red stripe, representing the country's forests and agriculture, peace and justice, unity and progress of the people, hope and golden future, designed for independence in 1975.
Uruguay
Adopted 1828
Nine alternating horizontal stripes of blue and white with a golden sun (Sol de Mayo) in the upper left canton, representing the nine original departments of Uruguay, the clear skies and peace, and the May Revolution that inspired South American independence movements.
Venezuela
Adopted 2006
Three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue, and red with eight white stars in an arc on the blue stripe and the coat of arms on the upper hoist corner, representing the wealth of the land, the seas separating Venezuela from Spain, the blood shed for independence, and the eight original provinces that declared independence.
About South American Flags
Bolivarian Liberation
Many South American flags share yellow, blue, and red, the colors of Simón Bolívar's liberation movement. These represent the gold of the Americas, blue skies and seas, and the blood shed for independence.
Indigenous Heritage
Several flags incorporate indigenous symbols, Inca suns, Andean colors, and pre-Columbian designs, celebrating the rich native cultures that existed long before European colonization.
Natural Symbols
From Brazil's celestial sphere to Ecuador's condor, many flags feature natural elements representing the continent's incredible biodiversity, vast landscapes, and connection to the environment.
Explore Popular South American Flags
South American Flag Patterns
Gran Colombia Colors
Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador share similar flag designs stemming from Gran Colombia, the union created by Simón Bolívar. Yellow, blue, and red stripes represent shared liberation heritage and Bolivarian ideals.
Examples: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador
Sun Symbolism
Several South American flags feature sun symbols, often representing the Inca Sun God Inti, new beginnings, or the dawn of independence. These golden suns connect modern nations to pre-Columbian heritage.
Examples: Argentina, Uruguay, Peru (historical)
Independence Movement Legacy
Simón Bolívar's Influence
"El Libertador" Simón Bolívar's military campaigns across northern South America established flag designs that persist today. His vision of continental unity is reflected in shared color schemes.
José de San Martín's Legacy
The southern liberation movement led by San Martín influenced Argentine and Chilean flag designs, emphasizing different colors and symbols while maintaining the spirit of independence.
Unique Paths to Independence
Brazil's peaceful independence and the distinct colonial histories of Guyana and Suriname created unique flag designs that stand apart from the broader Bolivarian tradition.
Geographic and Cultural Diversity
Andean Nations
Countries along the Andes Mountains often incorporate mountain symbolism, condors, and indigenous colors reflecting the high-altitude cultures and dramatic landscapes of the world's longest mountain range.
Examples: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia
Atlantic Coast Nations
Countries with Atlantic coastlines often feature blue for the ocean, stars for navigation, and symbols reflecting their maritime connections and trade relationships with Europe and Africa.
Examples: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela