Bolivia Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Bolivia’s traditional national flag has three equal horizontal bands of red, yellow and green. Its colors have official meanings, and the modern order dates to 1851.
What does the Bolivia flag look like?
The tricolour has three equal horizontal bands: red at the top, yellow in the centre and green at the bottom. Supreme Decree No. 241 sets an official construction of 7.5 units high by 11 units wide, equivalent to a 15:22 proportion.
What do the Bolivia flag colors mean?
Bolivia assigns formal symbolism to the three colors. Red represents blood shed by heroes in the birth, preservation and consolidation of the state. Yellow represents mineral and subsoil wealth. Green represents the richness of nature and hope as a social value.
How did the flag develop?
Bolivia’s first national flag was created on August 17, 1825 and used red and green. Yellow was introduced in 1826. The modern red-yellow-green order was established in 1851 during the government of Manuel Isidoro Belzu.
Read the full Bolivia flag history →
What is the Wiphala?
The Wiphala is a square, seven-color grid associated with Indigenous Andean identity and community traditions. Bolivia’s 2009 Constitution lists both the red-yellow-green tricolour and the Wiphala among the symbols of the Plurinational State.
Why Bolivia recognizes both the tricolour and Wiphala →
Does the Wiphala replace the Bolivian tricolour?
No. Both are recognized within the modern state-symbol system. The tricolour continues as a state flag, while the Wiphala is also constitutionally recognized and regulated for official use.
When is Bolivia Flag Day?
August 17 is Bolivia’s Día de la Bandera, commemorating the creation of the first national flag in 1825.
Bolivia flag facts
| Colors | Red, yellow and green |
|---|---|
| Bands | Three equal horizontal stripes |
| Official construction | 7.5:11 (15:22) |
| First national flag | August 17, 1825 |
| Yellow introduced | 1826 |
| Modern order | 1851 |
| Flag Day | August 17 |
Bolivia flag FAQ
What does the red stripe mean?
The blood shed by heroes in the creation and preservation of Bolivia.
Why is yellow in the middle?
The modern red-yellow-green order was established in 1851; yellow represents mineral and subsoil wealth.
Does Bolivia officially recognize the Wiphala?
Yes. It is listed as a state symbol in the Constitution.
