Flag History | This flag was adopted on February 12, 1812, four years after Argentina achieved independence from Spain (1816). The "Sun of May" design was added to the flag in 1818. The blue and white colors were chosen by Manuel Belgrano, the leader of the Argentinian revolution against Spain. |
Flag Date of Adoption | February 12, 1812 |
Flag Symbolism |
Three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May. It's width-to-length ratio varies: proportions of 1 to 2 and of 9 to 14 are commonly used on land, while the ratio 2 to 3 is used at sea. The colors may represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes. However, research indicates that the colors were already in use as ribbons and cockades to denote an individual's political leanings and may have originally come from the House of Bourbon. The sun symbol is a replica from the first Argentine coin. It is said to commemorate the appearance of the sun breaking through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810, at the beginning of the first mass demonstration in favor of independence. The sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun. |