Guatemala Flag: Meaning, Quetzal, Coat of Arms, Ratio & History

The flag has three equal vertical bands of blue, white and blue. Guatemala’s national coat of arms is centered on the white band.

Blue is associated with strength, justice, truth and loyalty and also recalls Guatemala’s sky and surrounding waters. White represents purity, peace, integrity, firmness and light. For a closer look at the official symbolism, see the Guatemala flag colors guide.

The emblem includes a quetzal for liberty, a scroll recording 15 September 1821, rifles for the defense of liberty, swords for justice and sovereignty, and laurel for victory. The text on the scroll is the independence date. See the Guatemala coat of arms guide for each element.

Guatemala became independent from Spain in 1821 and later used blue-and-white symbolism through the Central American federation. The modern vertical blue-white-blue design was established on August 17, 1871. Read the full Guatemala flag history for the earlier designs and 1871 change.

The flag uses a 5:8 ratio with three equal vertical bands—blue, white, blue—and the coat of arms centered on the white band. For proportions and placement, see how to draw the Guatemala flag.

Guatemala observes Día de la Bandera on August 17, marking the establishment of the modern flag in 1871. See our Guatemala Flag Day guide for the date’s background.