Andorra

3×5' nylon national flag of Andorra.

Andorra's flag tells the story of one of Europe's strangest constitutions. For more than seven centuries this Pyrenean principality has had two heads of state at once, one French and one Catalan, and both are written into its colors and arms.

Design

Three vertical bands of blue, yellow and red, with the central yellow band slightly wider than the other two. The coat of arms sits in the center of the yellow band.

History & Symbolism

Blue and red come from France and yellow and red from Catalonia, reflecting the co-princes: today the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell. The arms quarter the mitre and crozier of Urgell, the three red pales of the Counts of Foix, the four red pales of Catalonia, and the two cows of Béarn, over the motto Virtus Unita Fortior, "strength united is stronger." The tricolor dates from the nineteenth century and was standardized in the 1990s.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: traditionally 1866; standardized 1993
• Official proportions: 7:10
• Colors: blue, yellow, red
• Emblem: quartered arms of Urgell, Foix, Catalonia and Béarn

Vexillographer's Note

Andorra belongs to a crowded family: Chad, Romania and Moldova also fly blue, yellow and red vertical tricolors. Andorra's wider center band and its coat of arms set it apart.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864