Peru

About the flag

Peru's flag has three vertical bands of red, white and red. The design was adopted in 1825, shortly after independence from Spain. A popular story links the colours to flamingos that General José de San Martín saw on the coast, though the origin is not certain.

There are two common versions. The civil flag, flown by most people, is plain. The state flag adds the coat of arms in the centre: a vicuña, a cinchona tree and a cornucopia spilling coins, set inside a wreath.