National Flag of El Salvador (1972)

After nearly 300 years of Spanish colonisation the territory covering modern day El Salvador, together with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua achieved independence from Spain on the 15th of September 1821. 

After independence from Spain the Mexican empire briefly annexed El Salvador.

When the Mexican empire dissolved in 1823, El Salvador became a founding member in a federation of states called the United Provinces of Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). 

The blue and white of the current flag are an historical link to this union and also remain in the flags of the other former members.

The current El Salvador flag dates from September 1972, but the country has used a basic blue-white-blue horizontal striped design from 1823 until 1865 and again from September 1912 until the present.

The Symbolic Meaning

The blue stripes represent the water of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which lap the shores of the countries of the former federation of United Provinces of Central America and white symbolises peace.

The state coat of arms centrally placed on the flag is based on the coat of arms of the former United Provinces of Central America.

The main features of the arms show an equilateral triangle, which represents equality and the three branches of El Salvador's government: Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

Within the triangle are five volcanoes, which symbolise the five former members of the federation, flanked by the blue of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. 

The triangle contains symbols of liberty, ideals of the people and peace. These are represented by a red Phrygian cap, golden rays and the rainbow. Also included in the triangle is the date of El Salvador's independence from Spain, the 15th of September 1821. 

Underneath the triangle is written the national motto DIOS UNION LIBERTAD, which translates to 'God, Union and Liberty'.

The fourteen clusters of leaves represent the 14 departments or states of El Salvador and around the outside is REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA, which translates to the Republic of El Salvador in Central America.