Flag of Chile

What the flag means

A popular explanation, not an official one, is that blue is the sky and the Pacific Ocean, white the snow of the Andes and red the blood shed for independence. The star is read as a guide to progress and honour.

History

A decree of 18 October 1817, under Supreme Director Bernardo O'Higgins, created the flag after a blue, white and red tricolour had been used for a few months. It was presented at the ceremony swearing Chile's independence on 12 February 1818. The design is usually credited to José Ignacio Zenteno, O'Higgins's minister of war. Law 2,597 of 11 January 1912 fixed the star's size, and Supreme Decree 1,534 of 1967 set out how the flag is built and displayed.

Because Unicode has no Texas flag emoji, the similar Chilean flag is often used in its place online. In 2017 a Texas Legislature resolution asked people to stop doing this.

Earlier flags of Chile

1. 1812–1814Patria Vieja flag: horizontal blue, white and yellow stripes
2. 1817–1818Transition flag: horizontal blue, white and red stripes

Flags of Chile's neighbours

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Peru