Guatemala Flag Colors & Meaning: Blue, White and National Symbolism
Understand Guatemala’s blue and white national colors, their civic symbolism, geographic associations and place within the official 5:8 vertical tricolor.
What does blue mean on the Guatemala flag?
Official civic explanations associate blue with qualities including strength, justice, truth and loyalty. The blue bands are also commonly connected with Guatemala’s sky and the waters bordering the country.
What does white mean?
White is associated with purity, peace, integrity, firmness and light. It also provides the central field on which Guatemala’s coat of arms is displayed.
Why are there two blue bands?
The two blue sides are often explained as reflecting Guatemala’s geographic position between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white central band represents the land and the civic ideals associated with peace and purity.
How are the colors arranged?
The national flag is divided into three equal vertical bands in the order blue, white and blue. The national coat of arms is centered on the white band.
| Ratio | 5:8 |
|---|---|
| Band 1 | Blue |
| Band 2 | White with coat of arms |
| Band 3 | Blue |
Guatemala flag colors FAQ
What are Guatemala’s flag colors?
Blue and white.
Why is the coat of arms on the white stripe?
The central white band provides the field for the national emblem and visually separates the two blue bands.
What is the official ratio?
5:8.
Congress of Guatemala — Decree 104-97
