Flag of Guatemala
| Use | State and war flag, state and naval ensign |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 5:8 |
| Adopted | 17 August 1871 |
| Design | A vertical triband of Maya blue (hoist-side and fly-side) and white with the National Emblem centered on the white band. |
| Civil ensign | |
| Use | Civil flag and ensign |
| Proportion | 5:8 |
| Adopted | 17 August 1871 |
| Design | A vertical triband of Maya blue (hoist-side and fly-side) and white. |
The flag of Guatemala, often referred to as the National Pavilion (Pabellón nacional) or the Blue-and-White (Azul y Blanco), features two colors: sky blue and white. According to decree, the two sky blue stripes represents strength, justice, truth and loyalty. The white color signifies purity, integrity, firmness and light. The blue and white colors, like those of several other countries in the region, are based on the flag of the former Federal Republic of Central America.
In the center of the flag is the Guatemalan coat of arms. It includes the resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala that symbolizes liberty; a parchment scroll bearing the date of Central America's independence from Spain, 15 September 1821; crossed Remington Rolling Block rifles, indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by force if need be; a bay laurel crown, the symbol for victory; and crossed swords, representing honor. It is one of four national flags among UN member states that features a firearm, along with those of Mozambique, Haiti, and Bolivia.
It is one of five national flags that use the ratio 5:8, with the others being Argentina, Palau, Poland, and Sweden.