Bolivia's Flag: The Color That Didn't Make The Cut

The national flag of Bolivia is a horizontal tricolour of red, yellow, and green, with the Bolivian coat of arms in the centre. The flag was originally adopted in 1851, and has a width-to-length ratio of 2:3. The colours of the flag are thought to represent the valour of the army (red), the richness of mineral resources (yellow), and the fertility of the land (green). These colours were widely used by the Aymara and Quechua peoples, who dominated the area before the arrival of Spanish conquerors. Interestingly, Bolivia also has an alternative flag, the Wiphala, which was instated in 2009 and holds equal status with the national flag. The Wiphala is a 7x7 square emblem made up of seven colours arranged diagonally, representing the four regions of the Incan Empire and the natives of the Andes. Notably, the colour blue is not depicted on the flag of Bolivia.

The colour red

The red band on the Bolivian flag symbolises the bravery and valour of the country's soldiers. It is said to represent the blood shed by Bolivia's heroes in the fight for the birth and preservation of the Republic. The colour is a reminder of the nation's struggle for independence, land, and resources.

The red stripe is also a reference to the colour's use by the indigenous Aymara and Quechua peoples, who dominated the area before the arrival of Spanish conquerors. The Aymara and Quechua peoples widely used red in their clothing and accessories.

The Bolivian flag has been redesigned several times, but the red stripe has remained a consistent feature, demonstrating the importance of its symbolism to the nation. The current design was officially adopted on 31 October 1851, and the flag has become an iconic symbol of Bolivia, recognised for its unique combination of colours.

The red stripe on the Bolivian flag is a powerful reminder of the country's history, honouring the sacrifices made by its brave soldiers and the indigenous peoples who once inhabited the land.

The colour yellow

Yellow is said to represent the country's mineral wealth and natural resources. Bolivia is rich in natural resources, particularly minerals, and the colour is a nod to this. The country has deposits of minerals such as silver, and tin, and precious metals including gold. The country also has natural gas and petroleum reserves.

The yellow stripe also has a historical context. The Aymara and Quechua peoples, who dominated the area before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, used the colour widely, including in their clothing and accessories.

The Bolivian flag has been altered several times since its original adoption. The current design was officially adopted on October 31, 1851, during the presidency of Manuel Isidoro Belzu. The order of the stripes was changed to red, yellow, green, perhaps to make the flag more visible from a distance. The coat of arms has also been modified over time, with the addition of a tenth star, which represents the valuable territory lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

The flag of Bolivia has a rich history and the colours chosen are a reflection of the country's past, its natural resources and its people.

The colour green

The green stripe was included in the first Bolivian flag, which was adopted on 17 August 1825, eleven days after the country declared independence from Spain. This original flag featured a single red stripe between two green stripes, with a yellow star on the red stripe, surrounded by a green wreath. Five laurels and five stars also featured in the centre of the red band.

The flag was changed on 25 July 1826, to the modern-day colours of red, green, and yellow. However, the order of the stripes was different from the current design, with the yellow stripe at the top, the red stripe in the middle, and the green band at the bottom. This design lasted for around thirty years.

The current flag was adopted on 31 October 1851, with the stripes appearing in the following order: red, yellow, and green. The flag features the Bolivian coat of arms in the centre. The green stripe in the current design is thought to have been placed at the bottom to increase the flag's distinctiveness when seen from a distance.

The Bolivian coat of arms

Within the oval border, the coat of arms depicts a landscape with a stylised illustration of Mount Potosi in bright sunshine. In the foreground, there is a South American alpaca, a breadfruit or palm tree, and a wheat sheaf, with a forest and a small Andean house in the middle distance. The background of the upper part of the scene is white, while the lower part is green.

Behind the oval, there are two crossed cannon barrels, six Bolivian flags, four rifles, a Phrygian cap of liberty, an Inca battle-axe, and a laurel wreath. Perched on top of the oval is an Andean condor.

The coat of arms has undergone several revisions since its adoption in 1825, mainly concerning the number of stars included. The stars represent the departments of Bolivia, with the addition of a tenth star symbolising the valuable territory and access to the ocean lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

The Wiphala banner

The Wiphala is a square emblem used as a flag to represent the native peoples of the Andes, including those in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, northwestern Argentina, and southern Colombia. The Wiphala is the oldest of Bolivia's flags, dating back to the early days of the Inca Empire. The flag consists of seven colours—red, orange, yellow, white, green, blue, and violet—arranged in a diagonal pattern. The colours reflect those of the rainbow and each colour carries a specific meaning.

The Wiphala was instated as Bolivia's alternative flag in 2009, giving it equal status with the national flag. The 2009 Constitution of Bolivia established the southern Qullasuyu Wiphala as another national symbol of Bolivia, alongside the red-yellow-green tricolour. The Wiphala is now flown on governmental buildings such as the Palacio Quemado and parliament, alongside the tricolour.

The seven colours of the Wiphala have the following meanings, according to the Katarista movement:

• Red: The Earth and the Andean man
• Orange: Society and culture
• Yellow: Energy and strength
• White: Time and change
• Green: Natural resources and wealth
• Violet: Andean government and self-determination

The upper part of the Wiphala represents the sun and the day, while the bottom represents the moon and the night. The Wiphala also symbolises the indigenous wisdom inherited from the Andean peoples, reflecting the principles of Pachakama (universal order) and Pachamama (mother, cosmos).

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