What is its meaning and what does its colors represent?
The flag of Bolivia is the main national symbol of the country, which is also known by the name “La Tricolor”. National Flag Day is celebrated on August 17 every year.
It is characterized by having three horizontal stripes with the same dimensions with the colors, from top to bottom, red, yellow and green.
The Republic of Bolivia proclaimed its independence on August 6, 1825 and, on August 17, the first two national flags announced by the General Assembly were created under law.
These flags were bicolor green and red punctured, that is, they had two green stripes at the ends and the middle stripe red punctured, in the center of which a green oval was placed that was formed by an olive branch and a laurel branch and in the center a gold star.
Both flags were identified as Bandera Menor (for civil use) and Bandera Mayor (for state use). The Minor Flag had a single oval in the center, on the contrary, the Major Flag had an oval in the center and four more ovals on the sides.
However, in 1826 the president of Bolivia, Antonio José de Sucre changed the design of the first national flag approved by law on August 17, 1825.
In this design, the use of the five stars was replaced by a yellow stripe at the top of the flag and in the central red-punched stripe, the arms of the Republic were placed between two olive and laurel branches, and the lower green stripe.
Years later, on October 31, 1851, during the government of Manuel Isidoro Belzu, the design of the flag by which it is currently known was modified again.
The story goes that President Belzu traveled on horseback from La Paz to Oruro in order to attend the National Congress. On the way we could see a rainbow of which the colors red, yellow and green were clearly detailed.
Consequently, Belzu requested on October 30 to change the flag design. On October 31, the National Convention approved the new flag, and these changes were recorded by law on November 5, 1851.
Two days later, the new Bolivian flag was raised at the Conchupata Lighthouse, Oruro.
In 2004, during the presidency of Carlos Mesa, through a Supreme Decree on July 19, it was established that the civil flag, which is customary to use in civic, public events and national celebrations, will not carry the National Coat of Arms.
However, the state flag displayed at official events must carry the National Shield in the yellow stripe.
However, the Bolivian flag has other variants depending on its use. The flag that is raised in the Government Palace, Legislative Palace, Judicial Palace, ministries, embassies and other international organizations, must have the National Coat of Arms.
There is also the war flag that is delivered to the Bolivian National Police and the Armed Forces, as well as the Naval Flag.
Meaning of the colors of the Bolivian flag
The flag of Bolivia is made up of three stripes of the same dimensions of red, yellow and green.
The color red symbolizes the blood shed by Bolivian soldiers in the fight for the birth and preservation of the Republic. It also represents love and sacrifice.
The color yellow represents the riches and natural resources of Bolivia.
The color green represents the immensity of the Bolivian jungle and hope as one of the values of Bolivian society.
National Coat of Arms of Bolivia
The National Shield of Bolivia is a national symbol, which is characterized by being oval in shape and composed of five parts.
At the top it has a rising Sun that appears behind the Cerro de Potosí. It symbolizes the birth of the country. In the center you can see the Cerro Rico de Potosí and the Cerro Menor, where the Chapel of the Sacred Heart is located. They are a symbol of natural wealth.
At the bottom left is a white alpaca that represents the fauna of Bolivia. In the same lower part, but in the center, there is a sheaf of wheat, a symbol of the food that is in the country.
In the lower right part you can see a palm tree that represents the Bolivian vegetation.