Colombia’s tricolour—yellow (half‑height), blue, red—derives from the 19th‑century Gran Colombia banner and was adopted nationally in 1861. Yellow signifies sovereignty and abundance; blue the seas and loyalty; red the blood shed for independence. Proportion is 2:3 with a 2:1:1 band division; civil flags lack arms, while state and war flags may bear the coat of arms. Law codifies dimensions, shades, and protocol for display and half‑masting.
Colombia’s flag descends from the tricolour popularised by Francisco de Miranda and used by Gran Colombia after the independence wars. Following the federation’s dissolution, the Republic of New Granada and later Colombia retained the yellow‑blue‑red scheme, standardised in 1861 with yellow occupying half the field.
Symbolism
is commonly taught as yellow for sovereignty, justice, and wealth; blue for the seas and fidelity; red for courage and the blood of patriots. The proportion is 2:3, with the bands divided 2:1:1 in height. The civil flag omits arms; state and military flags add the national coat of arms centred in the yellow band.
Legal norms define colour references, ratios, and respectful handling, including precedence, half‑masting by order, nocturnal illumination, and dignified retirement. The flag’s continuity from Gran Colombia preserves a pan‑regional heritage while marking Colombia’s distinct republican identity.