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Bulgaria

Europe

Quick Facts

Capital

Sofia

Population

6.5M

Area

110,879 km²

Density

59 /km²

Median age

46 yrs

Description

Adoption

16 April 1879 (Tarnovo Constitution, adoption of the tricolour, 147 years)
1947-1990 (communist emblem added on the white stripe)
27 November 1990 (return to the plain tricolour).

Designed byOriginal version attributed to Stiliana Parashkevova.

Design & Symbolism

Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.

Proportions

3:5

Shape

Rectangular

Colors

White#FFFFFF

White evokes peace, freedom and love.

Green#00966E · Pantone 347 C

Green represents the country's agricultural wealth, forests and nature.

Red#D62612 · Pantone 185 C

Red recalls the struggle for independence, courage and blood shed.

Symbols & elements

Lion

Construction details

Proportions 3:5. Three equal horizontal bands: white on top, green in the middle, red at the bottom. The state version adds the coat of arms (a golden lion) in the upper hoist corner.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — Bulgaria

Liberation Day, on 3 March, puts the flag in the spotlight.
Raised from sunrise to sunset, it is flown at half-mast during mourning.

Common conventions

Keep the flag clean and never let it touch the ground.
Never fly a torn or faded flag — repair or replace it.
Illuminate the flag if it stays up at night.
Never use the flag as clothing, packaging or advertising.
Dispose of a worn flag respectfully, not in the trash.

Did you know?

Its tricolour derives from the Slavic white-blue-red flag, with the blue replaced by green.

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