The flag of Chile, as La Estrella Solitaria (The Lone Star), is approaching its bicentenary.
Chile adopted the flag on 18 October 1817, roughly five months before declaring independence from Spain.
Only the flags of Denmark (1370), the Netherlands (1572), UK (1606) and USA (1777) have an older adoption date.
The flag is very similar to the flag of the Lone Star State, Texas, adopted by the then Republic of Texas on 25 January 1839.
The only difference is that the Texas flag has a larger blue area.
José Ignacio Zenteno, Chilean Minister of War, is credited with creating Las Estrella Solitaria,.
Its designer, however, remains a subject for debate.
It was either Spanish-born soldier Antonio Arcos, or Gregorio de Andía y Varela.
The red of the Chilean flag represents the blood spilled for independence.
The blue evokes the sky and the Pacific Ocean; the white, the snowy Andes.
The star symbolises either Chile’s independence, its status as a unitary Republic, or a guide to progress.
Bonus fact: Before October 2011 prior approval was required to use the flag in public; the rule was rarely enforced.
Author: Alex Crouch, Flag Institute accredited journalist (2015/16).
