Guatemala’s national flag has three vertical bands of light blue, white and light blue with the national coat of arms centred on the white band. Its most recognisable emblem is the resplendent quetzal.

What does the Guatemalan flag look like?

The flag uses vertical bands rather than the horizontal blue-white-blue pattern common elsewhere in Central America. The coat of arms contains a quetzal, a scroll dated September 15, 1821, crossed rifles and swords and a laurel wreath.

Meaning of the symbols

The quetzal represents liberty. The scroll records the date of Central American independence from Spain. The rifles and swords represent readiness to defend sovereignty and honour, while the laurel symbolises victory.

History of the flag

Guatemala inherited blue and white from the nineteenth-century Central American federation. The vertical arrangement and modern coat of arms were introduced in 1871 during liberal reforms.

Guatemala flag facts

• Colors: light blue and white
• National bird: resplendent quetzal
• Independence date on scroll: September 15, 1821
• Modern design: 1871