Flag Overview
What does the flag of Ecuador look like? The Ecuadorian flag is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red, and there is the National Coat of Arms in the middle. The yellow band is the size of both the blue and red band combined. This flag was adopted on November 7, 1900.
Meaning of the Flag
The colors of the Ecuadorian flag hold significant symbolism. The colors are designed to represent the crops and the soil of the nation, the ocean and the blue skies, and the bloodshed that occurred in the nation’s fight for its independence.
The national flag also features the nation’s coat of arms. The mountain of Chimborazo and the Guayas River are represented in this design. There is a condor located atop the coat of arms, which represents the power and strength of the nation. The palm leaf in the design represents the martyrs that fought for the nation’s freedom and liberty, and the laurel represents the victories of the republic.
Colors of the Flag
The national flag of Ecuador features three main colors. The tricolor bands are (from top to bottom) yellow, blue and red. The yellow is a representation of the crops and soil, the blue represents the seas and skies, and the red is a representation of the lives lost in the nation’s fight for independence. There also multiple colors also found in the nation’s coat of arms, including green, white and brown.
History of the Flag
Beginning in the 16th century, Ecuador was under the rule of the Spanish colonial empire and therefore flew the Cross of Burgundy. This flag was used through 1820. The first national flag was adopted in 1820 and was used for just two years. This flag featured blue and white stripes with three stars. The flag was changed in 1822 but the second design was not used beyond that year. This flag featured a blue and white design with a star centered in the middle.
The third national flag, which is most similar to the one used today, was used when Ecuador, along with Colombia and Venezuela, were united as the nation of Gran Colombia. This featured the tri-color design with a coat of arms in the center and was used through 1830. In 1830, a new flag was used to represent the state of Ecuador. It continued to use the tri-color design with a different symbol centered on the flag. This flag was used through 1835, when the nation separated from Gran Columbia. At that time, a new flag was adopted, featuring simply the tri-color design and no emblems. This flag was in use until 1845.
eighth national flag featuring a tri-band design was adopted in 1860 and was officially adopted by the nation. It was in 1900 when the flag most like the one in use today was made the national standard. This flag was used until 2009, when it was modified to its current design.
Flag Facts
Students and military cadets recite the nation’s flag, known as “Juramento a la Bandera.”
The nation also has a song called “Himno a la Bandera” – or “Hymn to the Flag.”
The flag is very similar to the design used by Gran Columbia and the modern flags used today by Venezuela and Colombia.
