Costa Rica Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Explore Costa Rica’s blue-white-red flag, its 1848 French-inspired origins, Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, exact legal proportions, official colors, the national coat of arms and the difference between the flag and Pabellón Nacional.
What does the Costa Rica flag look like?
The national flag has five horizontal stripes in the order blue, white, red, white, blue. The central red band is twice the height of each of the four outer bands, producing a 1:1:2:1:1 pattern.
What do the Costa Rica flag colors mean?
The Presidency also describes blue as the sky that covers and protects Costa Rica, white as peace and purity of ideals, and red as energy, courage and willingness to defend the country’s democratic system.
History of the Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica used several national and Central American flags in the decades after independence from Spain in 1821. The modern five-band tricolour emerged after Costa Rica became a republic in 1848 under President José María Castro Madriz.
Who designed the Costa Rica flag?
Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, wife of President José María Castro Madriz, is traditionally credited with drawing the 1848 tricolour. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that she was inspired by the French flag.
The design kept blue and white, colors already familiar in Central American flag traditions, and introduced a broad red central stripe, creating a distinct national identity.
What is the difference between the Costa Rica flag and Pabellón Nacional?
| Bandera Nacional | Pabellón Nacional |
|---|---|
| Plain five-band blue-white-red-white-blue flag | Same stripe pattern plus the national coat of arms |
| May be used by citizens with respect under Law 10178 | Use is restricted to official state contexts |
| No coat of arms | Coat of arms appears on a white ellipse in the red stripe |
| General national symbol | Principal ceremonial symbol of the Costa Rican state |
Costa Rica flag ratio, dimensions and official colors
Law 10178 specifies a flag measuring 2 meters long by 1.20 meters high, which reduces to a 3:5 height-to-length ratio. Enlargements and reductions must keep the same proportions.
| Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Stripe pattern | 1:1:2:1:1 |
| Blue | Pantone Reflex Blue |
| White | White |
| Red | Pantone 485 C |
| Legal dimensions | 1.20 m × 2.00 m |
How should the Costa Rica flag be displayed?
Law 10178 permits Costa Ricans to use the national flag provided it is treated respectfully. It must not be stepped on, dragged on the ground, marked with text or displayed in a dishonourable condition.
Costa Rica flag FAQ
Who designed the Costa Rica flag?
Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno is traditionally credited with designing the 1848 tricolour.
Why does Costa Rica’s flag resemble France’s flag?
The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Pacífica Fernández was inspired by the French flag.
What is the Costa Rica flag ratio?
3:5 under Law 10178.
Why is the red stripe twice as wide?
The law defines the central red stripe as twice the width of each of the four outer bands.
Does the Costa Rica flag have a coat of arms?
The ordinary national flag does not. The coat of arms appears on the legally distinct Pabellón Nacional.
Can private citizens fly the Costa Rica flag?
Yes, provided it is displayed respectfully and in accordance with Law 10178.
