Last modified: 2015-02-01 by alex garofolo
Keywords: paraguay | seal | phrygian cap | different reverse | treasury | lion | star: 5 points (yellow) | simplification | stylization | license plate |
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image by Zachary Harden, 24 July 2013
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image by Zachary Harden, 24 July 2013
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TYPE: National flag and ensign. USAGE: 
RATIO: 11:20 FIS:  (Two Sided: obverse and reverse are different)
ADOPTED: 1842 LAST MODIFIED: 15 July 2013 (by decree) |
The flag of Paraguay is a vertical tricolor of red, white, blue. On the obverse (front) side, the centre of the white fess is charged by the national coat of arms. This consists of a yellow Star of May, recalling the month of independence in 1811, which is surrounded by a wreath and the full name of the state, "REPÚBLICA DEL PARAGUAY," (Republic of the Paraguay). In the same position on the reverse, it is charged by the coat of arms of the treasury: a lion facing east, holding a staff on which a Phrygian Cap (liberty cap) is placed; above it is an inscription "PAZ Y JUSTICICA" or "Peace and Justice". The ratio and both emblems have been modified several times, most recently on 15 July 2013. Paraguay is the only sovereign nation-state whose flag has different charges on each side.
Alex Garofolo, 27 July, 2014
According to Article 5 of the decree, "the geometric proportion of its design and production should be kept as closest as possible to 1:0.55."
Is it so? It makes 11:20 in our usual notation, which is slightly unusual, but not quite odd. It is not far from the previously reported 3:5. What does the previous regulations actually say about the ratioif anything?
Željko Heimer, 24 July 2013
The Appendix [of the decree] shows images of the coats of arms and of the seals, with the name of their elements and colours.
The colours are prescribed as follows:
- Red [Phrygian cap] Pantone 485 C CMYK (%) 0-100-100-0 RGB 237-28-36
- Yellow [Star] Pantone Yellow C CMYK (%) 0-0-100-0 RGB 255-241-8
- Green [Branches]0 Pantone 355 C CMYK (%) 100-0-100-0 RGB 0-166-81
- Brown [Lance] Pantone 478 C CMYK (%) 40-65-100-0 RGB 136-83-33
- Ochre [Lion] Pantone 4505 C CMYK (%) 35-30-100-0 RGB 178-163-54
- Black [Lettering] Pantone Black C CMYK (%) 0-0-0-100 RGB 0-0-0
The font for the lettering is prescribed as Arial Black."
Ivan Sache, 24 July 2013. (Read the full translation of the decree.)
White, blue and red flags were used by Paraguayan troops in 1806
wen they went to the defense of Buenos Aires
during the British invasion. The earliest mention of a red-white-blue
tricolor in Paraguay seems to date from 15 August
1812. This bore, on one side the arms of the capital city, Asunción,
and on the other the arms of the King of Spain. The Star of May in the
national arms recalls the date of independence, 14 May 1811. Defense of
national liberty is symbolized by the lion guarding the liberty cap on
the Treasury seal whose motto proclaims «Peace and Justice».
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [smi75b]
The colors were influenced by French Tricolore,
which had become a symbol of liberation. A number of
variant designs [vd. also
here] existed prior to the current design,
which was regularized in 1842. The practice of having a separate emblem on
each side is dating from the time of José de Francia, in power from
1814-1840.
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [rya97]
The official symbolism of the flag is very rich. To mention only colour
symbolism, red stands for patriotism, courage, heroism, equality and
justice; white for purity, firmness, union and peace; and blue for
tranquillity, love, knowledge, verity and liberty.
Ivan Sache, 20 Oct 1999,
quoting [eunXX]
The coat of arms was adopted in 1812 (like
the flag)! But it was not precisely described in all its elements.
In 1823 it was modified by Dr. Francia.
It was used even after his death until 1842.
Since 1826 the bishopric Paraguay had
used a differing version. In 1842 the symbols
of Paraguay were described exactly for the first time. We know that the
coats of arms before had looked similar [alv8].
Possibly the bishopric had used two trees?
The “makers” of the 1842 arms said nothing about all their
earlier prototypes.
Ralf Stelter, 23 Jan 2001
The “classical” emblem (used in all flags of 1842-1990), is noted in several variations, of which is most notable difference in the field around the star on the obverse, with three main types:
The emblems shown on the flag of Paraguay were amended by decree, adopted by the Executive on 15 July 2013, signed by by the President of the Republic and the Minister of the Interior. The modifications should "reflect the original characteristics of the symbol adopted in 1842". The modifications should be implemented by the official institutions no later than 90 days after the publication of the Decree.
The amendments are presented as a return to basics, here the symbols originally adopted in 1842. Accordingly, the Decrees adopted in 1926 and 1957, which modified the original coats of arms, have been abrogated.
On the obverse of the flag, the red ring surrounding the writing "República del Paraguay", introduced in 1957 by Alfredo Stroessner, will be removed. The writing will be changed from yellow to black. The blue disk surrounding the yellow star will be removed. On the olive branch, the olives will be made plain green instead of green and ochre. Accordingly, the emblem will keep only three colours, black, yellow and green. A proposal to replace the branches of palm and olive by branches of queen palm and yerba mate was turned down.
The reverse of the flag will not be modified, except the colors: ochre for the lion, brown for the spear, red for the Phrygian cap and black for the writing "PAZ Y JUSTICIA".
The writings on the two sides of the flag will use the Arial Black font.
Ivan Sache, 17 July 2013
When the flag is depicted on smaller items (souvenirs, etc.) sometimes the seal is reduced to a disk or circle; I’ve seen these both blue and black. It depends on the material and the size of the item. If I recall correctly, the circle is more common, but a solid disk version is used on really small items. (Obviously, the disk/circle appears in the white band.) I’ve never seen these simplifications actually used as flags, only as decorations on objects.
Terence Martin, 10 Aug 2004
While red/white/blue striping is common as a decorative theme, once a cloth is attached to a stick, it always had the seal on it. It is rarely totally omitted. (My last visit to Paraguay was in 1995, so things may have changed.)
Terence Martin, 04 Aug 2004
Paraguay introduced new license plates around 2002. They have the flag at upper left and an emblem at upper right. The flag does not have the emblem, it is a plain tricolor. (See photo by Osvaldo Fernández)
Olav Arne Brekke, 30 Jan 2005.
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