🇵🇪

Flag of Peru

South America

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Quick Facts

Capital
Lima
Flag adopted
1825
Population
34,350,244
Area
1,285,216 km²
Languages
Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
Currency
Peruvian sol (S/ ) — PEN
Demonym
Peruvian
Government
presidential republic
Subregion
South America
Driving side
Right
Timezones
UTC-05:00
Independence
1821

Religions

  • Roman Catholic 76%
  • Evangelical 15.7%
  • None 5.1%
  • Other 3.2%

About This Flag

The flag of Peru consists of three equal vertical bands of red on the hoist and fly sides with white in the center. The state flag variant includes the national coat of arms centered on the white stripe.

The red represents the blood shed for independence and the courage of Peruvian soldiers, while the white symbolizes peace, purity, and dignity. According to legend, independence hero Jose de San Martin chose the colors after seeing a flock of flamingos with red wings and white chests fly over his army upon arrival in Peru.

The flag was first established on February 25, 1825, and has undergone minor modifications to the coat of arms since.

What the colors & design mean

Red represents the blood shed for independence and the valor of those who fought for freedom. White symbolizes peace, purity, and the dignity of the Peruvian people.

red white

Pattern: Vertical Stripes

Bordering countries (5)

🇧🇴 Bolivia 🇧🇷 Brazil 🇨🇱 Chile 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador

Fun Facts

  • Legend has it that Jose de San Martin chose the red and white colors after seeing a flock of flamingos (parihuanas) take flight upon his arrival in Peru — their red wings and white breasts inspired the flag's design.
  • Peru's coat of arms features three national symbols: the vicuna (animal wealth), the cinchona tree (plant wealth, the source of quinine), and a cornucopia (mineral wealth).
  • Peru was the last stronghold of Spanish power in South America, with Lima serving as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the center of colonial administration for the entire continent.
  • The Peruvian flag is similar in layout to Canada's — both have a white center stripe flanked by solid-color bands — but with red instead of Canada's vertical arrangement.

Similar looking flags

These flags share similar colors and patterns:

🇵🇪 Bahrain 🇵🇪 Malta 🇵🇪 Canada 🇵🇪 Indonesia 🇵🇪 Singapore

More South America Flags

🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇧🇴 Bolivia · 🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇨🇱 Chile · 🇨🇴 Colombia · 🇪🇨 Ecuador · 🇬🇾 Guyana · 🇵🇾 Paraguay

View all South America flags →

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Flags with red Flags with white Vertical Stripes

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