Chile .cl

Meaning of the Flag

The flag of Chile consists of two equal-height horizontal bands of white and red, with a blue square the same height as the white band in the canton, which bears a white five-pointed star in its center. It was adopted on 18 October 1817. According to the epic poem La Araucana, the colors were derived from those from the flag flown by the Mapuche during the Arauco War. "Flag Day" is held each year on the ninth of July to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepción. The first flag, according to tradition, would have been embroidered by the sister of the ruler, Javiera Carrera, and would be presented and raised for the first time on 4 July 1812 at a dinner with the United States consul Joel Roberts Poinsett to celebrate the anniversary of U.S.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Blue, White

Flag History

1. 1569
   The known early mention of the colours of blue, white and red used by Mapuche warriors comes from Canto XXI of the epic poem La Araucana, written by Alonso de Ercilla in 1569.
2. 1812–1814
   

   === Flag of the Patria Vieja (1812–1814) === At the onset of the Chilean War of Independence, the First Government Junta was proclaimed on 18 September 1810, marking Chile's first step toward independence.
3. 1817–1818
   

   The flag of the Patria Vieja would wave again after Carrera's return to power 23 July 1814 until the Battle of Rancagua (1–2 October) where the royalist victory ended the patriot government and began the Reconquista (or Reconquest) from 1814 to 1817, restoring the imperial standard.
4. 1817
   

   The flag of the Patria Vieja would wave again after Carrera's return to power 23 July 1814 until the Battle of Rancagua (1–2 October) where the royalist victory ended the patriot government and began the Reconquista (or Reconquest) from 1814 to 1817, restoring the imperial standard.
5. 1818
   

   === Flag of the Transition (1817–1818) === The victory at the Battle of Chacabuco on 26 May 1817 gave way to a new period known as the Patria Nueva (New Fatherland).
6. 1818–1854
   

   === Flag of the Transition (1817–1818) === The victory at the Battle of Chacabuco on 26 May 1817 gave way to a new period known as the Patria Nueva (New Fatherland).
7. 1818–1912
   

   === Flag of the Transition (1817–1818) === The victory at the Battle of Chacabuco on 26 May 1817 gave way to a new period known as the Patria Nueva (New Fatherland).
8. 1817–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1817.

Location