Blue and White Flags

Which countries have blue and white flags?

In Europe, Finland has a blue Nordic cross on white, and Greece has nine blue and white stripes with a white cross on a blue square. Scotland, which is not a UN member, flies the Saltire: a white diagonal cross on blue. In the Middle East, Israel has two blue stripes on white with a blue Star of David between them.

In Central America, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador use blue-white-blue bands in the old federal pattern. Guatemala's bands are vertical and carry a quetzal and rifles, Honduras adds five blue stars, Nicaragua a triangle with a rainbow and volcanoes, and El Salvador a triangle with a wreath. In South America, Uruguay has nine blue and white stripes with the Sun of May in the corner.

In Africa, Somalia has a single white star on light blue. Antarctica, though it is not a country, also appears on the list with an unofficial flag showing the continent in white on blue.

Many more flags include blue and white with other colors, from the United Kingdom and France to Australia, Chile and Cuba.

Why are blue and white so common on flags?

Blue brings to mind sea and sky, and white suggests peace or snow, so the pair is a natural choice for countries on the coast. Greece uses it for the sea and sky, and Finland for lakes and snow. Scotland's blue and white goes back to the saltire of St Andrew, and Israel's design is based on a Jewish prayer shawl.

Central America's flags share a history. The short-lived United Provinces of Central America used a blue-white-blue design in 1823, and the countries that formed from it kept the pattern. Somalia's blue was chosen to honor the United Nations, which helped it toward independence.

How can you tell these flags apart?

Look at the pattern. A cross points to Finland or Greece, a diagonal cross to Scotland, and a star to Israel or Somalia. Blue-white-blue bands with an emblem point to Central America. Uruguay and Greece both have nine stripes, but Uruguay has a sun in the corner and Greece has a cross. Use the grid above to check each flag.