Armenian Flag
The Armenian flag is an official state symbol of the Republic of Armenia. It consists of three equal horizontal stripes—red, blue and orange—on a rectangular field with official proportions of 1:2. The modern tricolor was adopted on 24 August 1990 and its status and use are defined by national law. Armenia celebrates National Flag Day each year on 15 June.
What Do the Colors of the Armenian Flag Mean?
- Red represents the Armenian Highlands and the Armenian people’s centuries-long struggle for survival, freedom and independence, as well as the preservation of the Christian faith.
- Blue symbolizes the desire of the people of Armenia to live under peaceful skies.
- Orange represents the creative talent, energy and hardworking character of the Armenian people.
These are the meanings officially assigned to the colors of the Armenian flag. Popular interpretations sometimes associate red with blood and sacrifice, blue with the Armenian sky, and orange with fertile land or apricots. However, these are cultural interpretations rather than the symbolism defined by Armenian law.
Armenian Flag Proportions and Color Codes
The Armenian flag has an official width-to-length ratio of 1:2. Its three horizontal stripes are equal in height and arranged from top to bottom in the following order: red, blue and orange.
| Color | HEX | RGB | Pantone* | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #D90012 | 217, 0, 18 | Pantone 485 | 0, 100, 100, 0 |
| Blue | #0033A0 | 0, 51, 160 | Pantone 286 | 100, 80, 0, 0 |
| Orange | #F2A800 | 242, 168, 0 | Pantone 1235 | 0, 35, 100, 0 |
These color values are defined in the official technical specifications for the Armenian flag. Pantone and CMYK values are used for print applications, while RGB and HEX values are used for digital reproduction.
A Brief History of the Armenian Flag
The modern Armenian flag is closely connected with the restoration of Armenian statehood. Although the country’s flags changed during the twentieth century, the red, blue and orange tricolor eventually returned as a symbol of independent Armenia.
- 1918–1920: The red, blue and orange tricolor served as the national flag of the First Republic of Armenia.
- 1920–1991: During the Soviet period, the Armenian SSR used several different flags featuring Soviet symbols.
- 24 August 1990: The Supreme Council adopted the restored tricolor as Armenia’s national flag.
- 15 June 2006: A new law established the current legal rules governing the Armenian flag. This date is now celebrated annually as National Flag Day.
Rules for Displaying the Armenian Flag
- Proportions: The flag must retain its official 1:2 proportions, with all three stripes equal in width.
- Horizontal display: The stripes must appear in the following order from top to bottom: red, blue and orange.
- Vertical display: The flag should be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise so that, when viewed from the front, the colors run from left to right in the same order: red, blue and orange.
- Condition: The flag should be complete, clean, undamaged and free from fading.
- Official use: The flag is displayed on government buildings and during national holidays and days of mourning in accordance with Armenian law.
