Introduction
The national flag of Armenia is a tricolor consisting of three horizontal bands of equal width. From top to bottom, the colors are red, blue, and orange. This simple yet striking design is a powerful symbol of Armenian national identity and heritage.
The flag's current form was officially adopted on August 24, 1990, shortly before the country regained independence from the Soviet Union. Its proportions are defined as 1:2, making it longer than it is tall. The horizontal triband layout is a common design in vexillology, but Armenia's specific color combination is unique.
The flag is flown on all state institutions and is a central feature during national holidays like Independence Day. Its colors are deeply embedded in Armenian culture and history, representing the land, people, and their enduring spirit. The design is mandated by the Law on the State Flag of the Republic of Armenia.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors of the Armenian flag carry profound symbolic meaning. The red band symbolizes the Armenian Highlands, the continued struggle for survival, and the Christian faith of the Armenian people. It is also associated with freedom and independence.
The blue band represents the will of the Armenian people to live under a peaceful sky. The orange (sometimes described as apricot color) band symbolizes the creative talent and hard-working nature of the Armenian people. Together, these colors reflect the nation's past, present, and future aspirations.
History of the Armenia Flag
The modern tricolor was first adopted by the First Republic of Armenia on August 24, 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire. This period of independence was short-lived, and the flag was replaced by various Soviet designs after Armenia was incorporated into the USSR in 1922.
The flag was revived during the national movement of the late 1980s. It was officially reinstated as the national flag by the Armenian Supreme Soviet on August 24, 1990, over a year before the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Law on the State Flag was passed in 2006, providing precise specifications for its use and design.
Curiosities
- The orange (apricot) color is so distinctive that the flag is sometimes colloquially referred to as the 'Apricot, Blue, and Red' flag.
- During the Soviet era, the Armenian SSR had its own flag, which featured a blue horizontal stripe and the Soviet hammer and sickle.
- The 1:2 proportion is less common than the 2:3 ratio used by many other European tricolor flags.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Armenia in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag is a simple horizontal triband of three equal stripes. The official proportions are 1:2 (width to length). Each of the three colored bands—red, blue, and orange—occupies exactly one-third of the flag's total height. No other emblems or symbols are present on the standard state flag.
Flags Similar to Armenia Flag
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique color order, but sometimes confused with other horizontal tricolors from a distance.