The Flag of Colombia
The flag of Colombia consists of three horizontal stripes: yellow at the top, blue in the middle, and red at the bottom. The yellow stripe takes up the top half of the flag, while the blue and red stripes each occupy a quarter. This vibrant tricolor represents rich aspects of Colombian culture, geography, and history.
History of The Flag of Colombia
The flag of Colombia was officially adopted on November 26, 1861. Its design was influenced by the flag of the Gran Colombia, a short-lived republic that encompassed much of northern South America and parts of southern Central America from 1819 to 1831. The flag's colors are commonly interpreted as symbolizing the gold found in Colombia (yellow), the country's seas (blue), and the blood shed for its independence (red). However, the original meaning ascribed by Francisco de Miranda, the precursor to Colombian independence who first envisioned this tricolor, was somewhat different. Miranda associated yellow with the New World, blue with the ocean separating the New World from the Old, and red with the blood of heroes. Over time, the flag has become a powerful symbol of national pride and unity.