Flag of Colombia
countryThe flag of Colombia was adopted on November 26, 1861 to a design by Francisco de Miranda (original design). Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band. It uses 3 colours: yellow, blue and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Colombia |
|---|---|
| Country | Colombia |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Colombia |
| Capital | Bogotá |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | South America |
| ISO Country Code | CO / COL |
| Internet Domain | .co |
| Calling Code | +57 |
| Currency | Colombian peso (COP) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Colombian |
| Area | 1,141,748 km² |
| Population | 53 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Colombia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | November 26, 1861 |
| First Used | 1810 |
| Current Version Adopted | November 26, 1861 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Yellow, Blue, Red |
| Designer | Francisco de Miranda (original design) |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Colombia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 | |
| Blue | #003893 | 0, 56, 147 | 100, 62, 0, 42 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Yellow colour | Represents the gold of the land, sovereignty and justice |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the sea and the rivers |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed for independence |
| Double-width yellow | The gold of the New World, separated by the blue sea from the red blood of Spain |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1810 | The design was first used |
| 1861-11-26 | 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) |
Colombia 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 Colombia
| 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 | November 26, 1861 |
| Oldest Version | 1810 |
| Designer | Francisco de Miranda (original design) |
| Most Common Color | Yellow |
| Similar Flags | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Colombia
- The wide yellow band takes up half the flag's height, with blue and red each occupying a quarter — a proportion inherited from the flag of Gran Colombia.
- Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador all fly yellow-blue-red horizontal bands for the same reason: all three were part of Gran Colombia until 1831.
- The naval ensign adds a coat of arms to the plain civil flag; the version most people picture has no emblem at all.
- The flag of Colombia was officially adopted on November 26, 1861. It was designed by Francisco de Miranda (original design).
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1810, 51 years before it was formally made the flag of Colombia.
- The flag in its present form is 165 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: yellow, blue and red.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the gold of the land, sovereignty and justice.
- The blue on the flag stands for the sea and the rivers.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed for independence.
- Double-width yellow: The gold of the New World, separated by the blue sea from the red blood of Spain.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Bolivia.
- Colombia became independent on 20 July 1810 from Spain.
- Independence was declared in 1810 and secured at the Battle of Boyacá on 7 August 1819.
- Tejo is the official national sport; football and road cycling are the most popular.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Colombia
When was the flag of Colombia adopted?
The flag of Colombia was officially adopted on November 26, 1861, though the design had already been in use since 1810.
What do the colours of the flag of Colombia mean?
Yellow for the gold of the land, sovereignty and justice, blue for the sea and the rivers and red for the blood shed for independence.
When did Colombia gain independence?
Colombia became independent on 20 July 1810 from Spain. Independence was declared in 1810 and secured at the Battle of Boyacá on 7 August 1819.
What is the national sport of Colombia?
Tejo is the official national sport; football and road cycling are the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Colombia represent?
Double-width yellow — The gold of the New World, separated by the blue sea from the red blood of Spain.
Who designed the flag of Colombia?
The flag was designed by Francisco de Miranda (original design).
What are the proportions of the flag of Colombia?
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 Colombia?
The national anthem is "Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia".
When is the national day of Colombia?
It falls on 20 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Colombia?
The national animal is the Andean condor.