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Philippines

Asia

Quick Facts

Capital

Manila

Population

113.0M

Area

300,000 km²

Density

377 /km²

Median age

26.2 yrs

Description

Adoption

12 June 1898 (proclamation of independence)
shades fixed in 1998 (128 years).

Designed byEmilio Aguinaldo (design); first sewn by Marcela Agoncillo (1898).

Design & Symbolism

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

Proportions

1:2

Shape

Rectangular

Colors

Blue#0038A8 · Pantone 286 C

The blue field stands for peace, truth and justice.

White#FFFFFF

The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity.

Red#CE1126 · Pantone 186 C

The red field stands for patriotism and valor.

Yellow#FCD116 · Pantone 116 C

The golden-yellow sun and stars represent unity, freedom, democracy and sovereignty.

Symbols & elements

Sun

Eight rays for the eight provinces that first rose against Spanish rule, and the dawn of freedom.

Three stars

The three main island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Uniquely, the flag is flown upside down in time of war, red band uppermost.

Construction details

Proportions 1:2. Two horizontal bands, blue on top, red below, and a white triangle at the hoist bearing a golden eight-ray sun and three five-pointed stars.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — Philippines

The flag is honoured on 12 June, Independence Day.
In wartime, it is flown inverted, with the red band on top.

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?

It is one of the few flags in the world whose meaning changes with orientation: inverted, red on top, it signals a state of war.

Test your knowledge!

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