Introduction
The flag of Panama is a distinctive quartered design featuring four rectangles of white, red, and blue. The flag's layout is unique, with the first quarter (hoist side, top) being a white field with a blue five-pointed star, and the second quarter (fly side, top) a red field. The third quarter (hoist side, bottom) is a blue field, and the fourth quarter (fly side, bottom) is a white field with a red five-pointed star.
This arrangement creates a striking visual contrast and a clear geometric pattern. The flag's proportions are typically 2:3, making it a common rectangular shape for national flags. Its simple yet bold color blocks and two solitary stars make it highly recognizable from a distance.
The design is celebrated for its symbolic representation of the country's political landscape and its aspirations. It stands out in the world of vexillology for its non-traditional quartering and the specific placement of its symbolic elements, avoiding common patterns like stripes, crosses, or cantons.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors and symbols of the Panamanian flag carry deep political and aspirational meaning. The white represents peace and purity, while the blue symbolizes the conservative party and the Pacific and Caribbean oceans that border the nation. The red stands for the liberal party and the blood shed for the country's independence.
The blue star in the first quarter signifies the civic virtues of purity and honesty, and the red star in the fourth quarter represents the authority and law of the country. Together, the stars symbolize the new republic. A common interpretation is that the design illustrates the political truce between the dominant Conservative (blue) and Liberal (red) parties, with the white fields representing the peace between them.
History of the Panama Flag
The flag was designed by Manuel Encarnación Amador Terreros, son of the first President of Panama, and sewn by MarÃa Ossa de Amador. It was officially adopted by law on December 15, 1904, and first hoisted on December 20, 1904. The design was created in the context of Panama's recent separation from Colombia in 1903 and the establishment of the new republic.
The flag's design was formally described and its symbolism defined in Law 4 of 1904. It has remained unchanged since its adoption, serving as a stable national symbol through the country's history, including the period of the Panama Canal construction and its eventual transfer to Panamanian control.
Curiosities
- The Panamanian flag is one of the few national flags in the world that uses a quartered design without a central cross or a canton, making its layout highly distinctive.
- It is one of only two national flags (the other being the Dominican Republic's) that features the color purple in some official representations, though this is a specific shade of blue ("Panama Blue") that can appear purplish in certain fabrics.
- Maria Ossa de Amador, who sewed the first flag, is often referred to as the 'Mother of the Nation' for this and other foundational roles.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Panama 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 follows a 2:3 proportion. The field is divided into four equal rectangular quarters. The first quarter (top hoist) is white with a blue five-pointed star centered within it. The second quarter (top fly) is solid red. The third quarter (bottom hoist) is solid blue. The fourth quarter (bottom fly) is white with a red five-pointed star centered within it. The stars are typically drawn with one point facing upward.
Flags Similar to Panama Flag
Dominican Republic
quartered cross
Cuba
blue/white/red, but in stripes
Puerto Rico
red/white/blue, but inverted and with a triangle
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique quartered layout, but its colors are similar to many other flags.