There are currently 12 countries with blue and white national flags: Finland, Greece
Honduras, Israel, Micronesia, Somalia, Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, San Marino and Uruguay
Each of these countries has a unique story and history behind their blue and white flag.
San Marino - White/Blue Flag with an emblem
The flag of San Marino is one of the oldest national flags in the world, having been in use since 1862. It features a shield with three peaks, which is meant to symbolize the three towers of the country. The two colors in the Sanmarinese flag, stand for the snow on mt. Titano and the clouds above it and the sky, respectively.
Guatemala - Blue/White/Blue Flag with an emblem
The flag of Guatemala (aka “Pabellón Nacional” meaning the “National Flag” or “Azul y Blanco” meaning “Blue and White”) was adopted in 1871, and features two colors that are significant to the country – sky blue for the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and white for peace and purity. The flag is based on the flag of the former Federal Republic of Central America.
Nicaragua - Blue/White/Blue Flag with an emblem
The flag of Nicaragua was adopted in 1971, and features a triangle with a rainbow and five volcanos inside. The blue color of the flag, similarly to Guatemala, represents the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; while white symbolizes peace. It is one of only two national flags (the other being Dominica’s) that currently use purple.
Argentina - Blue/White/Blue Flag with an emblem
The flag of Argentina was adopted in 1816, and features two light blue stripes and a white stripe. The blue represents the sky, while the white represents the snow-capped Andes Mountains.
Honduras - Blue/White/Blue Flag with five blue stars
The flag of Honduras was adopted in 1866, and features three horizontal stripes – blue, white, and blue again. The blue stripes represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, while the white stripe represents peace. These stars represent the nations that were once part of the Federal Republic of Central America and symbolize the hope of the five nations once again forming a union.
El Salvador - Blue/White/Blue Flag with an emblem
The flag of El Salvador was adopted in 1912, and features a simple design of three horizontal stripes – blue, white, and blue. The blue stripes represent the skies of the country and two massive oceans of Central America. while the white stripe represents peace, concordia and solidarity with the world.
Greece - Blue/White with a blue cross
The flag of Greece was adopted in 1822, and features nine horizontal stripes – alternate blue and white. The blue stripes represent the sea, while the white stripes represent the purity of the Greek soul.
Israel - Blue/White/Blue with a blue star
The flag of Israel was adopted in 1948, and features a blue Star of David on a white background. The blue represents the sky, while the white represents purity.
Uruguay - White/Blue flag with a sun
The flag of Uruguay was adopted in 1828, and features nine horizontal stripes – alternate blue and white. The blue represents strength and bravery, while the white represents peace. The Sun of May is the national emblem for Uruguay (same as Argentina). This sun symbolizes the Incan sun god Inti, who was worshipped by the Inca Empire.
Finland - White/Blue flag with a cross
The flag of Finland was adopted in 1918, and features a blue cross on a white background. The blue represents the thousands of lakes in the country, while the white represents the snow-covered landscape.
Somalia - Blue Flag with a white star
The flag of Somalia was adopted in 1954, and features a simple blue background with a white star in the middle. It was inspired by the flag of the United Nations. The blue color represents the Indian Ocean and the blue sky above. The five-pointed white Star of Unity stands for the areas where the Somali ethnic group form the majority: Djibouti, Somaliland. the Somali region in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and Somalia (Italian Somaliland).
Micronesia - Blue Flag with four white stars
The flag of Micronesia was adopted in 1959, and features a simple design of four stars on a blue background. The stars represent the four main islands of the country, while the blue represents the ocean that surrounds them.
