Flag of Philippines
countryThe flag of Philippines was adopted on June 12, 1898 to a design by Emilio Aguinaldo. Horizontal bicolour with a white hoist triangle, sun and three stars. It uses 4 colours: blue, red, white and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Philippines |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Official Country Name | Republic of the Philippines |
| Capital | Manila |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | South-Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | PH / PHL |
| Internet Domain | .ph |
| Calling Code | +63 |
| Currency | Philippine peso (PHP) |
| National Language(s) | English, Filipino |
| Demonym | Filipino |
| Area | 342,353 km² |
| Population | 116 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Philippines |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 12, 1898 |
| First Used | 1898 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 12, 1898 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, Red, White, Gold |
| Designer | Emilio Aguinaldo |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour with a white hoist triangle, sun and three stars |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Philippines |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #0038A8 | 0, 56, 168 | 100, 67, 0, 34 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Gold | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents peace, truth and justice |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents patriotism and valour |
| White colour | Represents equality and fraternity |
| Gold colour | Represents the sun and stars |
| Eight-rayed sun | The eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish rule |
| Three stars | Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao |
| Flag of war | Uniquely, the flag is flown upside down — red uppermost — when the country is at war |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1898 | The design was first used |
| 1898-06-12 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Philippines 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 Philippines
| 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 | 128 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 12, 1898 |
| Oldest Version | 1898 |
| Flag Nickname | Tatlong Bituin at Isang Araw |
| Designer | Emilio Aguinaldo |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Czech Republic, Djibouti, Sint Maarten |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour with a white hoist triangle, sun and three stars |
Other horizontal bicolour with a hoist triangle flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Philippines
- The Philippines is the only country that flies its flag differently in wartime: the blue band is uppermost in peace, and the flag is inverted so red is uppermost in a declared state of war.
- The eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces that first rose against Spanish rule, and each ray is made of three smaller rays.
- The three stars stand for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
- The flag of Philippines was officially adopted on June 12, 1898. It was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo.
- The flag in its present form is 128 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour with a white hoist triangle, sun and three stars.
- The flag is known as Tatlong Bituin at Isang Araw, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Philippines".
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, red, white and gold.
- The blue on the flag stands for peace, truth and justice.
- The red on the flag stands for patriotism and valour.
- The white on the flag stands for equality and fraternity.
- Eight-rayed sun: The eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish rule.
- Three stars: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
- Flag of war: Uniquely, the flag is flown upside down — red uppermost — when the country is at war.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour with a hoist triangle" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Czech Republic, Djibouti and Sint Maarten.
- Philippines became independent on 4 July 1946 from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Philippines
When was the flag of Philippines adopted?
The flag of Philippines was officially adopted on June 12, 1898.
What do the colours of the flag of Philippines mean?
Blue for peace, truth and justice, red for patriotism and valour, white for equality and fraternity and gold for the sun and stars.
When did Philippines gain independence?
Philippines became independent on 4 July 1946 from the United States. Independence from Spain was proclaimed on 12 June 1898, the date the Philippines now celebrates; sovereignty from the United States followed in 1946.
What is the national sport of Philippines?
Arnis, the Filipino stick-fighting art, is the official national sport; basketball is by far the most popular.
What do the symbols on the flag of Philippines represent?
Eight-rayed sun — The eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish rule. Three stars — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Flag of war — Uniquely, the flag is flown upside down — red uppermost — when the country is at war.
Who designed the flag of Philippines?
The flag was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo.
What are the proportions of the flag of Philippines?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Philippines?
The national anthem is "Lupang Hinirang".
When is the national day of Philippines?
It falls on 12 June, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Philippines?
The national animal is the carabao, with the Philippine eagle as national bird.