Official Palette
Symbolism
The nine stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay. The Sun of May represents the May Revolution of 1810 and Inti, the Incan sun god.
History
Adopted on July 11, 1830, shortly after Uruguay's independence from Brazil. Joaquín Suárez, later president, is credited with the nine-stripe layout inspired by the flags of Argentina and the United States, while the Sun of May was added in 1830 to link the new republic to the River Plate revolutionary tradition.
Construction
A 2:3 ratio. Nine equal horizontal stripes of white alternating with blue. A white square canton at the hoist contains the golden Sun of May with 16 rays.
Color Meanings
Country Facts
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- July 11, 1830
- Proportions
2:3 (≈1.500)
- Primary Layout
- Horizontal bands
- Key Symbols
- Canton, Emblem
Influences
Lookalike Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of high-confusion flags, comparing exact color shades, proportions, and historical divergence.
Direct Lookalike Comparison
Quick Tell
Uruguay's canton is the Sun of May; Greece's canton is a white cross.
Historical Divergence
Both flags have nine stripes. The canton charge is the tell.
Flags with resemblance
Both have nine blue-and-white stripes. Greece's canton is a white cross; Uruguay's canton is the Sun of May.
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The Sun of May must be centered in the white canton
- Must be treated as a supreme symbol of national pride
Practice
Think you know the flags of Americas? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.