Official Colors
Design Breakdown
Argentina's flag has three equal horizontal stripes of light blue, white, and light blue. The "official flag" (Bandera oficial de ceremonias) includes the Sol de Mayo — a golden sun with a human face — centred on the white stripe. The civil flag omits the sun.
The sky blue (celeste) is a distinctive light blue, lighter than most national flags' blues. The sun has 16 straight and 16 wavy rays alternating, totalling 32, representing the Inca sun deity Inti.
History & Symbolism
General Manuel Belgrano first raised the blue-and-white flag on 27 February 1812 at Rosario, using the cockade colours of the Buenos Aires revolution. Argentina officially adopted it in 1818 after independence from Spain.
The Sun of May was added to the state flag in 1818. Its name references the May Revolution of 1810, the first step toward Argentine independence. 27 February is celebrated as Flag Day in Argentina.