As the above picture of the Chile Flag indicates the overall background is Red, blue and white
The description of the of the Chile Flag is as follows:
Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
There is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band
The square bears a white five-pointed star in the center
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Chile flag represent the following:
White - the snow of the Andes
Red - represents the blood of patriots who fought for independence
Blue - the blue of the skies
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right. Protocol dictates that it can hang horizontally or vertically, but the star must always be located in the top-left canton corner
The Meaning & History of the Chile Flag - The Chile five pointed Single star is to emphasise the fact that Chile is an Unitarian republic as opposed to a Federal republic
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Chile Flag Etiquette
Chile Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Chile as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Chile
State Flag of Chile
Military Flag of Chile (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Chile
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Chile Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Chile should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Chile flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Chile should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Chile flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Chile, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Chile Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Chile flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Chile flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Chile flag to the top, then lowering the Chile Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Chile flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Chile flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Chile flag
The Chile flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Chile flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Chile flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Chile Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Chile Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Chile
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Land Size of Chile : 748,800 sq km - includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Climate / Weather of Chile : temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Population of Chile : 15,823,957 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Capital City of Chile : Santiago
GDP of Chile : $154.6 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
South America - Concise History of the Mesoamerican civilisations
Mesoamericans were the ancient civilisations of South America which is now divided into 12 independent countries consisting of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela
The diverse civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica included the Olmecs, Toltecs, Aztecs, Incas and Mayans
5000-1200 BC The Ancestors of the people of South America were believed to have been nomadic Asian hunter-gatherers who crossed over the frozen Bering Strait and into North America. From there they traveled to the lands of South America and were the descendents of the great Mesoamerican civilisations and established corn cultivation, pottery and the use of stone tools
The Olmecs - 1200 BC- 300 AD The Olmecs were the first true civilisation of South America and were the ancestors of the later cultures
The Mayan Civilisation - 300 - 1500's The Mayans empire covered Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Mayans developed astronomy and hieroglyphic writing
The Toltec Civilisation - 900's - 1100's The Toltecs ruled Mexico and Guatemala from the 10th to the 12th century
The Aztec Civilisation - 1100'S- 1500'S The Aztecs' rose to power in Mexico during the 12th and 13th centuries and remained in control until the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th Century
The Inca Civilisation - 1438 - 1535 The empire of the Incas covered Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. The amazing rise of the Incas was achieved in less than one hundred years and covered an area of nearly 400,000 square miles
The Spanish conquistadors - 1535 The later civilisations of South America abruptly ended in 1535 when the Spanish conquistadors seized control
Concise History of Chile & its Flag
1541 - Pedro de Valdivia begins Spanish conquest and founds Santiago
1553 - Araucanians capture and kill Valdivia
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1810 - Junta in Santiago proclaims autonomy for Chile
1814 - Spain regains control of Chile
1817 - The battles of Chacabuco and Maipu when Spanish defeated by Army of the Andes led by Jose de San Martin and Bernardo O'Higgins
1818 - Chile becomes independent
1818 - O'Higgins takes role of supreme leader
1879-84 - Chile increases its territory after it defeats Peru and Bolivia in War of the Pacific
1927 - General Carlos Ibanez del Campo seizes power and establishes dictatorship
1948-58 - Communist Party banned
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Flag and Nation of Chile
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Chile has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
