The Secret History Behind Paraguay's Flag
Paraguay's flag looks different from the front than from the back.
The red, white and blue tricolor was adopted in 1842, with colors inspired by the French tricolor and what it meant for independence and liberty. What makes it unusual is that the two sides are not the same. The front shows the national coat of arms, a golden star surrounded by palm and olive branches. The back shows the seal of the treasury, a lion beside a pike topped with a Phrygian cap, and the motto "Paz y Justicia".
Very few national flags have a different design on each side.
Red is read as patriotism and courage, white as unity and peace, and blue as freedom and truth.
The date printed on every Paraguay design in our catalog, May 14, 1811, is the day of Paraguay's independence.
One flag, two faces.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.