Bulgaria Flag

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of Bulgaria has a horizontal triband design in three colors. Though the design seems simple, like other triband designs, the colors represent important features of the nation and its people. We’ll explore the meaning of each color in the next section.

Colors of the Flag

The Bulgarian flag features three different colors in a horizontal triband design. Each band is the same size. The top band is white and represents peace. The middle band is green and is a representation of the soil’s fertility. Finally, the bottom band is red and is a symbol of the courage of the Bulgarians.

History of the Flag

The flag of Bulgaria was originally adopted in 1879 following the Russo-Turkish War. The nation adopted the flag after gaining independence. However, this design has not been in continuous use since that time.

In the 1940s, the flag was changed to include the emblem of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. In 1971, the flag was modified to change the date on the ribbon found on the emblem. The flag was again changed in 1990 following the fall of communism. It was at this time that the original design that was adopted in the 19th century once again went into use.

The constitution of 1991 outlines the description of the national flag. This was later confirmed by a law that was passed in 1998.

Flag Facts

An unofficial flag that features the nation’s coat of arms is also commonly used throughout Bulgaria.