What Is the Sun of May on the Argentina Flag?
The golden face at the centre of Argentina’s flag is the Sun of May, a national symbol linked with the May Revolution and South American independence.
What is the Sun of May?
The Sun of May is a golden sun with a human face and alternating straight and wavy rays. Argentina’s official flag specification uses a sun with 32 rays.
When was it added to the flag?
Manuel Belgrano created the light-blue-and-white flag in 1812. The Congress of Tucumán recognized those national colors in 1816, and the sun was incorporated into the central white band in 1818.
What does the Sun of May represent?
The symbol is closely connected with the May Revolution of 1810, the political movement that began the process leading to Argentine independence.
Does it have Inca origins?
Argentina’s official government materials also connect the Sun of May with Inti, the Inca sun deity. The symbol therefore combines revolutionary identity with older South American sun imagery.
Why does Uruguay use a similar sun?
Argentina and Uruguay developed within the same Río de la Plata independence environment. Both countries retained related blue-and-white colors and Sun of May imagery, although their modern flag layouts are different.
Quick facts
| Symbol | Sun of May |
|---|---|
| Color | Gold |
| Rays | 32 |
| Added to flag | 1818 |
| Associated event | May Revolution |
