Peru+Flag

= Peru Flag = The current Peruvian flag, also natively called El Pendón Bicolor (The Bicolor Banner), was officially adopted by the government of Peru on February 25th, 1825. It displays three vertical stripes - two are red, surrounding a white stripe; this specific design is known as a vertical triband. The prominent red on the flag represents the blood lost during the Peruvian War of Independence. The white symbolizes the bravery of the soldiers and the peace kept afterward in Peru. In the middle of the flag there is a display of the second iteration of the Coat of arms of Peru, the newest being adopted in 1950 is used on the national ensign and state flags. The coat of arms contains a shield that holds a golden cornucopia representing the wealth in natural resources in Peru. On the upper left hand side, a Vicuña, the national animal of Peru, is displayed. On the upper right hand side there is a Cinchona tree, which is an ingredient used to make quinine, an anti-malaria drug. Around the shield, there are two wreath crowns representing the victory and glory of Peru’s independence. There is also a similar more simplistic version of the flag used more commercially, which doesn’t include a crest. From 1836-1839 Peru was known as the Peru-Bolivia Confederation and within that the Republic of South Peru. They both had flags adorning a prominent red in addition to a large sun figure. The coat of arms was changed in 1950 but the flag still retains the former coat of arms.

By: Aidan Soprych