Argentina Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Argentina’s national flag has two light-blue bands, a white centre and the golden Sun of May. Its origins trace to Manuel Belgrano and the independence era of 1812–1818.
What does the Argentina flag look like?
The flag has three equal horizontal bands: light blue, white and light blue. A golden Sun of May with a human face appears in the centre of the white band.
What is the Sun of May?
The Sun of May is a golden sun with 32 alternating straight and wavy rays. It is associated with the May Revolution of 1810 and also draws on imagery linked with Inti, the Inca sun deity.
Who created the Argentina flag?
Manuel Belgrano created the light-blue-and-white flag on February 27, 1812 near Rosario. The colors were formally recognized by the Congress of Tucumán in 1816.
When was the sun added?
The Sun of May was incorporated into the national flag in 1818, creating the form that became the basis of the modern official flag.
Read the full Argentina flag history →
What do light blue and white mean?
The official legal standards define the national colors as celeste and white but do not reduce them to one legally binding symbolic phrase. Their strongest documented importance is historical: they became the colors of the Argentine independence movement and national state.
Why does Uruguay have a similar flag?
Argentina and Uruguay share roots in the Río de la Plata independence era. Both use blue-white colors and the Sun of May, but Argentina uses three broad bands while Uruguay uses nine stripes.
Compare Argentina and Uruguay’s flags →
Argentina flag facts
| Colors | Light blue, white and gold |
|---|---|
| Creator | Manuel Belgrano |
| Created | February 27, 1812 |
| Colors recognized | 1816 |
| Sun added | 1818 |
| Flag Day | June 20 |
What does the Sun of May look like?
The official sun is gold and has 32 alternating rays: straight and flame-like rays arranged around a human face. Its design reproduces the sun used on Argentina’s early national coinage.
How is the modern flag standardized?
Decree 1650/2010 formalized technical characteristics for official Argentine flags, including dimensions, fabric, colors and accessories. This matters because “celeste” can vary significantly on screens and unofficial reproductions.
When is Argentina Flag Day?
June 20 is Día de la Bandera, commemorating Manuel Belgrano, who died on June 20, 1820. The holiday celebrates both the creator of the flag and the national symbol itself.
Argentina flag FAQ
Who created Argentina’s flag?
Manuel Belgrano in 1812.
How many rays does the Sun of May have?
Thirty-two.
Why are Argentina and Uruguay flags similar?
Both developed from the shared independence history and symbolism of the Río de la Plata.
