Costa Rica

Adoption

Colors

Symbols & elements

Coat of arms

Borne on the state flag. Three volcanoes rise between two oceans, each carrying a merchant ship — a reminder of the country's position between Atlantic and Pacific. Seven stars stand for the seven provinces, and the rising sun for a prosperous future.

Construction details

Proportions 3:5. Five horizontal bands, blue, white, red, white, blue, in a 1:1:2:1:1 ratio: the central red band is twice as wide as the others. The civil flag is a plain ensign; the state flag adds, on a white oval offset toward the hoist, the coat of arms: three volcanoes, two oceans, ships, a rising sun and stars for the provinces.

Construction sheet

Zoom

Specific rules — Costa Rica

• The plain flag is the civil one; the state adds the coat of arms and reserves its use for the government.
• It is honoured on 15 September, Independence Day.

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.

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