Flag of Argentina
countryThe flag of Argentina was adopted on February 12, 1861 to a design by Manuel Belgrano. Horizontal triband with the Sun of May. It uses 3 colours: light blue, white and gold. The official proportions are 9:14.
Hoist
Ratio 9:14
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Argentina |
|---|---|
| Country | Argentina |
| Official Country Name | Argentine Republic |
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | South America |
| ISO Country Code | AR / ARG |
| Internet Domain | .ar |
| Calling Code | +54 |
| Currency | Argentine peso (ARS) |
| National Language(s) | Guaraní, Spanish |
| Demonym | Argentine |
| Area | 2,780,400 km² |
| Population | 46 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Argentina |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 12, 1861 |
| First Used | 1812 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 12, 1861 |
| Flag Proportion | 9:14 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Light Blue, White, Gold |
| Designer | Manuel Belgrano |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with the Sun of May |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Argentina |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | #74ACDF | 116, 172, 223 | 48, 23, 0, 13 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Gold | #F6B40E | 246, 180, 14 | 0, 27, 94, 4 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Light Blue colour | Represents the sky and the Rio de la Plata |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace and honesty |
| Gold colour | Represents the Sun of May |
| Sun of May | Inti, the Inca sun god, and the May Revolution of 1810 — it has 32 rays, alternately straight and wavy |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1812 | The design was first used |
| 1861-02-12 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 9:14 |
|---|---|
| Width | 9 units (hoist) |
| Length | 14 units (fly) |
Argentina Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Argentina
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 165 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 12, 1861 |
| Oldest Version | 1812 |
| Flag Nickname | La Bandera del Sol |
| Designer | Manuel Belgrano |
| Most Common Color | Light Blue |
| Similar Flags | Cambodia, Colorado, Croatia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with the Sun of May |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Argentina
- The Sun of May was added to the plain blue and white bicolour in 1818; the sun has a face, and thirty-two rays alternating straight and wavy.
- The light blue is officially celeste, and its exact shade has been the subject of decrees more than once — the modern specification dates from 2010.
- The colours are traditionally traced to the cockades worn during the 1810 revolution in Buenos Aires, though the reason for choosing them is not documented with certainty.
- The flag of Argentina was officially adopted on February 12, 1861. It was designed by Manuel Belgrano.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1812, 49 years before it was formally made the flag of Argentina.
- The flag in its present form is 165 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with the Sun of May.
- The flag is known as La Bandera del Sol, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Argentina".
- The official proportions are 9:14. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 3 colours: light blue, white and gold.
- The light blue on the flag stands for the sky and the Rio de la Plata.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and honesty.
- The gold on the flag stands for the Sun of May.
- Sun of May: Inti, the Inca sun god, and the May Revolution of 1810 — it has 32 rays, alternately straight and wavy.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem" family, shared with 19 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Cambodia, Colorado and Croatia.
- Argentina became independent on 9 July 1816 from Spain.
- Pato, played on horseback, is the official national sport; football is overwhelmingly the most popular.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Argentina
When was the flag of Argentina adopted?
The flag of Argentina was officially adopted on February 12, 1861, though the design had already been in use since 1812.
What do the colours of the flag of Argentina mean?
Light blue for the sky and the Rio de la Plata, white for peace and honesty and gold for the Sun of May.
When did Argentina gain independence?
Argentina became independent on 9 July 1816 from Spain.
What is the national sport of Argentina?
Pato, played on horseback, is the official national sport; football is overwhelmingly the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Argentina represent?
Sun of May — Inti, the Inca sun god, and the May Revolution of 1810 — it has 32 rays, alternately straight and wavy.
Who designed the flag of Argentina?
The flag was designed by Manuel Belgrano.
What are the proportions of the flag of Argentina?
The official ratio is 9:14, which makes the flag rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Argentina?
The national anthem is "Himno Nacional Argentino".
When is the national day of Argentina?
It falls on 9 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Argentina?
The national animal is the rufous hornero.