Argentina

About the flag

Argentina. The flag’s iconic “Sun of May” at the center is a symbol of the 1810 May Revolution, a key step toward independence. The light blue and white bands trace back to the cockade chosen by revolutionary leader Manuel Belgrano in 1812 and are often said to evoke the clear Río de la Plata sky and clouds. Fun tip to remember: think “Albiceleste” (white-and-sky-blue), the nickname of Argentina’s famed football team—same colors as the flag. The Sun of May represents Inti, the Inca sun god, merging indigenous heritage with the birth of a new nation. Adopted officially with the sun in 1818, the flag has become a potent emblem of Argentine identity, from Buenos Aires to Patagonia.