Uruguay Flag

Meaning of the Flag

Uruguay’s national flag features nine horizontal stripes that alternate between white and blue. The design starts and ends with a white stripe. These stripes are meant to represent the original nine departments of Uruguay.

The top left corner – also known as the canton – is white and features the Sun of May with 16 rays. The Sun of May is a national emblem for Uruguay. It is also the national emblem of the nation of Argentina. This sun symbolizes the Incan sun god Inti, who was worshipped by the Inca Empire.

Colors of the Flag

Urugay’s national flag is primarily blue and white. These two colors make up the nine stripes that adorn the surface of the flag. The canton is also white, and the Sun of May symbol is yellow and brown.

History of the Flag

The national flag of Uruguay was first adopted on December 16, 1828. The national flag had a different design with a total of 19 stripes. This original design featured nine blue stripes. However, this design was changed on July 11, 1830. This new design featured just four stripes and is the same design that is used today.

This flag isn’t the only national flag of Uruguay. In fact, there are two other official flags. The first is the flag of the Treinta y Tres. This flag is used in remembrance of the expedition of the Treinta y Tres Orientales. One of the standout features of this flag is that it features the national motto, Libertad o Muerte – or Freedom or Death.

The other official flag of this nation is known as the flag of Artigas. This flag is used to pay homage to Uruguay’s national hero, Jose Gervasio Artigas. It is flown with the flag of the Treinta y Tres and the national flag on government buildings.