The Republic of Ecuador

La Tricolour

The city of Guayaquil first gained its independence from Spain in 1820, with the rest of Ecuador following soon after. The first flag to be used consisted of 5 horizontal bars, 3 blue, 2 white. 3 white stars where placed along the central blue bar. This flag went on to become the flag of the Guayas province.

The Free Province of Guayaquil introduced a new flag in 1822, this time, a simple white banner with a blue square in the upper hoist canton, with a single white star.

Ecuador was subsumed into Gran Colombia, and the Colombian tricolour colours of yellow blue and red became the definitive colours. During Ecuador's time within the union, a horizontal tricolour was created with 3 equal stripes. yellow, sky blue, and red. With a state emblem placed in the centre of the flag.

Ecuador seceded from the union in 1830, and became independent again, however, the previous flag was kept for use. In 1845, the Marcist Revolution saw the overthrow of the government of General Juan Jose Flores, who was replaced by a triumvirate of  Jose Joaquin de Olmedo, Vicente Ramon Roca, and Diego Noboa. They brought back the early white and light blue colours. This time, with 3 white stars placed on a central light blue vertical bar.

Very soon after, in 1845, the flag was amended by the Cuenca Convention. The new flag saw a deeper shade of blue, and 7 stars. Each star representing 1 of the 7 provinces that made up the Republic of Ecuador.

Finally, in 1860, General Gabriel Garcia Moreno finally ended years of political instability with the capture of the city of Guayaquil. He ordered the previous flag to be lowered, and replaced with the new flag of Ecuador. The flag that we recognise today. The horizontal tricolour, the top half being yellow, the bottom being split between blue and red stripes.

The flag was made official in 1900, and in order to differentiate the flag from its neighbours, the state flag has the coat of arms placed in the centre. In the oval shield is a representation of mount Chimborazo, with a river originating from its base, representing the Guayas. The steamship is the Guayas, one of the first vessels built in Ecuador. Instead of a mast, the ship features a Caduceus, which represents trade and commerce. The sun represents Ecuador's pre-Colombian heritage, and the signs of the zodiac represent the months during which the Marcist Revolution was under way. The condor on top, with wings outstretched, represents the power of the nation. The shield is flanked by 4 flags of Ecuador. The laurel on the left represents the victories of the republic, and the palm on the right, represents the martyrs fight for independence. The Fasces below the shield represents the dignity of the nation.

Ecuador uses both a civil, and state flag. The civil flag does not have the coat of arms, whilst the state flag does. However, the state flag is in common use, to allow the the nation to be differentiated from that of its neighbours. On the flag, the yellow stands for the country's natural and mineral wealth, the blue stands for the ocean and the skies, and red, the blood spilt during the nations struggle for independence.