Flag of El Salvador Facts for Kids

Flag of El Salvador

The flag of El Salvador was created in 1912. It has two horizontal blue stripes at the top and bottom. In the middle, there is a white stripe. The Coat of arms of El Salvador is placed right in the center of the white stripe.

What the Flag Looks Like
- The Colors and Their Meaning
- The Coat of Arms
A Bit of History
- Inspired by Central America
- Changes Over Time
The Flag Today
- Where You Might See It
Images for kids
See also

What the Flag Looks Like

The flag of El Salvador has three stripes. The top and bottom stripes are blue, and the middle stripe is white.

The Colors and Their Meaning

The blue color on the flag represents the two oceans that border Central America: the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It also stands for the sky and the two big oceans that surround El Salvador. The white color in the middle means peace, purity, and honesty.

The Coat of Arms

In the very center of the white stripe, you'll see the Coat of arms of El Salvador. This special symbol tells a story about the country.

It has five volcanoes rising out of the sea, which represent the five countries of Central America. These volcanoes were inspired by the Cordillera de Apaneca volcanic range.
A red cap, called a Phrygian cap, is on top of a staff. This cap is a symbol of freedom.
A rainbow arch is above the cap, meaning peace.
Five flags are behind the coat of arms, showing the flags of the Federal Republic of Central America.
A laurel wreath, which is a circle of leaves, surrounds the shield. It has 14 parts, one for each of El Salvador's 14 departments.
The words "DIOS UNIÓN LIBERTAD" are written below the shield. This means "God, Union, Liberty."
The date "15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821" is also there, which is the date El Salvador gained its independence from Spain.

A Bit of History

The current design of El Salvador's flag was chosen in 1912. However, its colors and symbols have a much older history.

Inspired by Central America

The flag's design is very similar to the flag of the Federal Republic of Central America. This was a country that existed from 1825 to 1838 and included El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The blue and white colors were used by this federation, showing the strong connection El Salvador has to its Central American neighbors.

Changes Over Time

Before 1912, El Salvador used different flags. Some of these earlier flags had different designs, but the idea of using blue and white stripes often appeared. For example, President Gerardo Barrios used a version of the flag in 1861 that helped inspire the modern flag. Leaders like Tomás Regalado (Salvadoran politician) also used previous flags.

The Flag Today

Today, the flag of El Salvador is a very important symbol for the country. You can see it everywhere, from government buildings like the National Palace to schools and homes. It represents the country's history, its values, and its people.

Where You Might See It

At official events, like when the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, wears the presidential sash.
Displayed at international meetings, such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
At important places like Hospital El Salvador or the Legislative Palace.
Even in other countries, like at the El Salvador consulate in Barcelona or at monuments like The Torch of Friendship in Miami.

The flag reminds everyone of El Salvador's journey to independence and its hopes for the future.

Images for kids

Any additional parts on the flag are in golden Amber (color)
The first Flag of the Republica Federal de Centro America, Federal Republic of Central America (1825-1838)
Cigarette box with El Salvador's previous flag, around 1890
The Flags of the World: Their History, Blazonry, and Associations. El Salvador's previous flag second row to the right, around 1896
Tomás Regalado (Salvadoran politician) with an older flag of El Salvador, around 1898-1903
Stamp showing El Salvador's previous flag, around 1909-1911
President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele wearing the presidential sash with the national flag behind him
The five volcanoes in the coat of arms were inspired by the Cordillera de Apaneca volcanic range. This was when El Salvador's Sonsonate City was the second capital of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1834.
The first coat of arms that declared the country's citizens as Salvadorans
Ahuachapán
Cuscatlán
La Paz
San Miguel
Sonsonate
President Gerardo Barrios, El Salvador 1861, with an earlier flag that inspired the modern one
U.S and El Salvador flags stand behind Mike Pompeo and Nayib Bukele, in San Salvador, El Salvador, July 21, 2019.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet children waving U.S and El Salvador flags during their arrival in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Flag of El Salvador displayed alongside former Salvadoran president Francisco Flores Pérez, 2001
Flag of El Salvador (center) displayed at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States meeting
Salvadoran flag stands in front of Hospital El Salvador
El Salvador flag on top of the National Palace in San Salvador
Flag of El Salvador displayed in the Legislative Palace Salon Azul, San Salvador
The Coat of arms of El Salvador displayed at the site where the first cry for Central American independence was made on November 5, 1811.
The Coat of Arms of El Salvador displayed in the Barcelona consulate
The Coat of arms of El Salvador displayed in The Torch of Friendship monument in Downtown Miami, Florida
Coat of arms of El Salvador displayed on the El Zapote Military Museum, San Salvador
The coat of arms of El Salvador displayed on Virgin Our Lady of Peace in Nazaret, Israel
The Coat of Arms of El Salvador displayed on Virgin Our Lady of Peace in the Cathedral Basilica of Queen of Peace, San Miguel
Brazilian stamp featuring the 150 Years of Independence of the Central American Republics, 1944
Flag of El Salvador displayed in the First UN poster, August 1942, a wartime poster for the Allies of World War II.
Flag of El Salvador displayed in a wartime poster for the United Nations, created in 1941.
Flag of El Salvador displayed in a wartime poster for the Allies of World War II, created in 1943.
Flag of El Salvador displayed in "Flags of Maritime Nations" between 1941 and 1945
Flag of El Salvador displayed in "UNITED NATIONS FLAGS" between 1941 and 1945
Flag of El Salvador displayed in "Flags of the United Nations", May 7, 1953