El Salvador Flag Colors & Meaning: Blue, White and the National Motto
Understand the meaning of El Salvador’s blue and white stripes, plus the difference between the coat-of-arms flag and versions carrying “Dios, Unión, Libertad.”
1 What does blue mean?
The Presidency of El Salvador explains the two blue stripes as representations of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans surrounding Central America.
2 What does white mean?
The white middle band symbolizes peace. The simple blue-white-blue structure also preserves the visual legacy of the nineteenth-century Central American federation.
3 What does “Dios, Unión, Libertad” mean?
The national motto means “God, Union, Liberty.” On non-government versions of the flag, the motto may appear in gold letters across the white band instead of the coat of arms.
4 Why are there different versions?
Official Salvadoran guidance distinguishes between flags used by government and military institutions, which carry the coat of arms, and flags used by private individuals, schools, merchant vessels and other non-government organizations, which may carry the gold motto.
| Government version | National coat of arms in the white band |
|---|---|
| Non-government version | “Dios, Unión, Libertad” in gold |
| Main colors | Blue, white, blue |
5 FAQ
What do the blue stripes represent?
The Pacific and Atlantic oceans bordering Central America.
What does white represent?
Peace.
Why do some El Salvador flags have text instead of the coat of arms?
Non-government versions may use the national motto “Dios, Unión, Libertad” in the center.
