Andorra Flag Story

Andorra flag

The Andorran flag: A tricolor with a coat of arms, representing sovereignty and rich history.

Colors: blue, yellow, red

Pattern: Vertical tricolor with coat of arms

The Andorran Flag: Tricolor with Coat of Arms

The flag of Andorra, with its vertical tricolor design and intricate coat of arms, is a symbol of the country's sovereignty, rich history, and unique status as a co-principality.

History

The Andorran flag has a history dating back to the medieval period:

  • The current design was officially adopted on June 10, 1993, when Andorra joined the United Nations.
  • The tricolor design has been in use since the 19th century.
  • The coat of arms in the center dates back to the 13th century.

Design and Symbolism

The Andorran flag consists of three vertical stripes of blue, yellow, and red, with the national coat of arms centered on the yellow stripe:

  • The blue stripe represents liberty.
  • The yellow stripe symbolizes the Church and the Pope, one of Andorra's two co-princes.
  • The red stripe represents Andorra's other co-prince, historically the Count of Foix and now the President of France.
  • The coat of arms includes symbols representing Andorra's history and governance, including the miters of its two co-princes.

Cultural Significance

The flag holds significant cultural importance for Andorrans:

  • It's displayed prominently on government buildings and during national celebrations.
  • The flag represents Andorra's unique status as a co-principality and its long-standing independence.
  • It's a source of national pride, especially given Andorra's small size and distinct identity.

Interesting Facts

  • Andorra is one of the few countries in the world to feature a coat of arms on its national flag.
  • The motto on the coat of arms, "Virtus Unita Fortior," means "United virtue is stronger" in Latin.
  • The flag is one of the few national flags whose height is greater than its width, with a ratio of 7:10.

The Andorran flag continues to be a powerful symbol of the country's sovereignty, representing its unique governance structure and rich historical heritage.

References

  1. Wikipedia - Flag of Andorra
  2. Official Portal of the Principality of Andorra