The flag of Argentina consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The top and bottom stripes are light blue, while the middle stripe is white. In the center of the flag, there is a golden sun with a face, known as the “Sun of May,” which has 32 rays alternating between straight and wavy lines. A cogwheel, representing industry and labor, partially covers the sun. Branches of olive and laurel symbolize peace and victory.
The blue stripes on the flag represent the sky and the white stripe represents the snow-capped Andes mountains. The Sun of May was first used on the Argentine flag in 1813. It is a reference to the Inca sun god Inti. Manuel Belgrano, a lawyer and military leader who fought for Argentina’s independence from Spain, designed the flag.