Flag of Nicaragua
countryThe flag of Nicaragua was adopted on August 27, 1971. Horizontal triband with the coat of arms. It uses 2 colours: blue and white. The official proportions are 3:5.
Hoist
Ratio 3:5
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Nicaragua |
|---|---|
| Country | Nicaragua |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Nicaragua |
| Capital | Managua |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Central America |
| ISO Country Code | NI / NIC |
| Internet Domain | .ni |
| Calling Code | +505 |
| Currency | Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Nicaraguan |
| Area | 130,373 km² |
| Population | 7.0 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Nicaragua |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 27, 1971 |
| First Used | 1908 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 27, 1971 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with the coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Nicaragua |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #0067C6 | 0, 103, 198 | 100, 48, 0, 22 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the two oceans that border the country |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the land between the seas and purity |
| Triangle of equality | The triangle in the arms stands for equality |
| Five volcanoes | The five members of the Central American federation |
| Rainbow and cap of liberty | Peace and freedom — one of only two national flags to use purple |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1908 | The design was first used |
| 1971-08-27 | 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 | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua
| 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 | 55 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 27, 1971 |
| Oldest Version | 1908 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Botswana |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with the coat of arms |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Nicaragua
- Nicaragua is one of only two countries whose flag carries purple, in the small rainbow arching over the volcanoes inside the coat of arms.
- The triangle in the arms stands for equality, the rainbow for peace and the cap of liberty for freedom — a set of French revolutionary symbols transplanted to Central America.
- The design is almost identical to El Salvador's in structure, because both descend from the same federal flag of 1823.
- The flag of Nicaragua was officially adopted on August 27, 1971.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1908, 63 years before it was formally made the flag of Nicaragua.
- The flag in its present form is 55 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with the coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: blue and white.
- The blue on the flag stands for the two oceans that border the country.
- The white on the flag stands for the land between the seas and purity.
- Triangle of equality: The triangle in the arms stands for equality.
- Five volcanoes: The five members of the Central American federation.
- Rainbow and cap of liberty: Peace and freedom — one of only two national flags to use purple.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Azerbaijan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and Botswana.
- Nicaragua became independent on 15 September 1821 from Spain.
- Baseball is the national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Nicaragua
When was the flag of Nicaragua adopted?
The flag of Nicaragua was officially adopted on August 27, 1971, though the design had already been in use since 1908.
What do the colours of the flag of Nicaragua mean?
Blue for the two oceans that border the country and white for the land between the seas and purity.
When did Nicaragua gain independence?
Nicaragua became independent on 15 September 1821 from Spain.
What is the national sport of Nicaragua?
Baseball is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Nicaragua represent?
Triangle of equality — The triangle in the arms stands for equality. Five volcanoes — The five members of the Central American federation. Rainbow and cap of liberty — Peace and freedom — one of only two national flags to use purple.
What are the proportions of the flag of Nicaragua?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Nicaragua?
The national anthem is "Salve a ti, Nicaragua".
When is the national day of Nicaragua?
It falls on 15 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Nicaragua?
The national animal is the turquoise-browed motmot, the guardabarranco.
What is the capital of Nicaragua?
The capital is Managua. The currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO) and the language spoken is Spanish.