Flag of Belize
countryThe flag of Belize was adopted on September 21, 1981. Blue field with red edges and the national coat of arms. It uses 4 colours: blue, red, white and green. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Belize |
|---|---|
| Country | Belize |
| Official Country Name | Belize |
| Capital | Belmopan |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Central America |
| ISO Country Code | BZ / BLZ |
| Internet Domain | .bz |
| Calling Code | +501 |
| Currency | Belize dollar (BZD) |
| National Language(s) | Belizean Creole, English, Spanish |
| Demonym | Belizean |
| Area | 22,966 km² |
| Population | 0.42 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Belize |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 21, 1981 |
| First Used | 1950 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 21, 1981 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, Red, White, Green |
| Design Type | Blue field with red edges and the national coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Belize |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #003F87 | 0, 63, 135 | 100, 53, 0, 47 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Green | #289400 | 40, 148, 0 | 73, 0, 100, 42 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the People’s United Party and the sea |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the United Democratic Party |
| White colour | Represents the disc of the coat of arms |
| Green colour | Represents the mahogany tree |
| Coat of arms | Two woodcutters with an axe and a paddle, beneath a mahogany tree |
| Motto | “Sub Umbra Floreo” — Under the shade I flourish |
| Fifty leaves | The mahogany wreath has fifty leaves, recalling 1950 and the start of the independence movement |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1950 | The design was first used |
| 1981-09-21 | 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 | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Belize 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 Belize
| 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 | 45 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 21, 1981 |
| Oldest Version | 1950 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Antarctica, Arkansas, Aruba |
| Unique Feature | Blue field with red edges and the national coat of arms |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Belize
- This is the only national flag that shows human figures as its central subject rather than as a supporting element of a coat of arms.
- The two red bands at the top and bottom were added at independence in 1981 to balance the blue of the People's United Party with the red of the opposition — a rare case of a flag negotiated between political parties.
- The mahogany tree records the timber trade that the colony of British Honduras was built on, and the motto beneath translates as 'Under the shade I flourish'.
- The flag of Belize was officially adopted on September 21, 1981.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1950, 31 years before it was formally made the flag of Belize.
- The flag in its present form is 45 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Blue field with red edges and the national coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, red, white and green.
- The blue on the flag stands for the People’s United Party and the sea.
- The red on the flag stands for the United Democratic Party.
- The white on the flag stands for the disc of the coat of arms.
- Coat of arms: Two woodcutters with an axe and a paddle, beneath a mahogany tree.
- Motto: “Sub Umbra Floreo” — Under the shade I flourish.
- Fifty leaves: The mahogany wreath has fifty leaves, recalling 1950 and the start of the independence movement.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba.
- Belize became independent on 21 September 1981 from the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Belize
When was the flag of Belize adopted?
The flag of Belize was officially adopted on September 21, 1981, though the design had already been in use since 1950.
What do the colours of the flag of Belize mean?
Blue for the People’s United Party and the sea, red for the United Democratic Party, white for the disc of the coat of arms and green for the mahogany tree.
When did Belize gain independence?
Belize became independent on 21 September 1981 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Belize?
Cycling is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Belize represent?
Coat of arms — Two woodcutters with an axe and a paddle, beneath a mahogany tree. Motto — “Sub Umbra Floreo” — Under the shade I flourish. Fifty leaves — The mahogany wreath has fifty leaves, recalling 1950 and the start of the independence movement.
What are the proportions of the flag of Belize?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Belize?
The national anthem is "Land of the Free".
When is the national day of Belize?
It falls on 21 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Belize?
The national animal is the Baird's tapir.
What is the capital of Belize?
The capital is Belmopan. The currency is the Belize dollar (BZD) and the language spoken is Belizean Creole, English, Spanish.