In simple words, country flags are pieces of fabric that vary many times in shapes, symbols and colors, which fulfill a representative function.
If we see the 194 flags of the countries that exist today, we will realize that they are mostly very different from each other, although there are certain flags that are the same color, and at the same time very similar in terms of their meanings.
Nicaragua and El Salvador
NicaraguaEl Salvador
Nicaragua and El Salvador have very similar flags, which is why they are confused by the vast majority of people, since both have two blue horizontal stripes and one in the middle, one white, and in this one, their shield is in the center. .
The curious thing is that in the case of both the Nicaraguan and Salvadoran flags, the blue means the two oceans by which they are surrounded, which are the Atlantic and the Pacific, while the white is simply purity.
Italy and Mexico
ItalyMexico
If we removed the shield from the Mexican flag, it and the Italian flag would be the same because they have vertical stripes in green, white and red, the shield being precisely what clearly differentiates them.
The Italian flag visually represents its territory, green for the plains and fields, white for its Alps and red for the lava of the volcanoes. For its part, in the Mexican flag, green is for hope, white for unity and red for the shed blood of its heroes.
Ireland and Ivory Coast
Ivory CoastIreland
The flag of Ireland and Ivory Coast are simple, they only have three stripes, which are green, white and orange. Ireland has its stripes in this order. While Ivory Coast is, conversely, orange, white and green.
In Ireland, the colors of its flag represent the native Gaelic green, orange for the British colonists, and white for peace between both groups. In Ivory Coast, orange is the wealth and generosity of the land, white is peace, and green is hope for a better future.
Türkiye and Tunisia
TurkeyTunisia
It is likely that if you see the flag of Tunisia, you think it is that of Turkey and vice versa. Both have a red background, and in the center a moon and a star. Turkey has a white moon and star somewhat further away than Tunisia’s red moon and star.
The meaning of its colors is not very clear as with other flags, however, it is thought as it is commonly attributed, these have to do with the blood that was spilled between its battles and wars.
Australia and New Zealand
AustraliaNew Zealand
Australia is a quite popular country, and even so, its flag is frequently confused with that of New Zealand, since both share colors such as navy blue, red and white, as well as elements such as stars, and in the upper left part, the image of the Union Flag.
The color blue predominates in both flags, and leaving its elements aside, it should be noted that the blue of the Australian flag refers to justice, and in that of New Zealand, the blue of the sea and sky.
Bolivia and Ghana
BoliviaGhana
If we cover the middle of both the flags of Bolivia and Ghana, we will agree that both are identical, and that they have horizontal stripes in red, yellow and green. The disparity is noticeable because Bolivia has its shield in the middle, and Ghana, a black star.
In the first case, red is the blood spilled by his soldiers, yellow, natural riches and green, the jungle and hope. In the second case, red and yellow are basically the same, and green is the richness of its forests.
Indonesia and Poland
PolandIndonesia
Unless you are very knowledgeable about the subject, if you see the flag of Indonesia and Poland, you will surely not be able to determine which belongs to which country. Both have two stripes of equal dimensions, Indonesia with one red stripe and the other white, and Poland with a white and red stripe respectively.
In the Indonesian flag, white is a reflection of purity, while red is a reflection of courage. On the Polish flag, white means the same thing, purity, and differs with red, which is the blood that was shed for the homeland.
Puerto Rico and Cuba
Puerto RicoCuba
If there is something that Puerto Rico and Cuba have in common besides being islands, it is their flags. The reason? They share practically the same design, five stripes, a triangle on the left side arranged in the middle and a star in this figure.
In the Puerto Rican flag, the blue triangle symbolizes its republican form of government, the white star, the free state, the red stripes, the blood that nourishes the powers of its government, which are the legislative, executive and judicial.
In the case of the Cuban flag, the blue stripes are the military departments into which Cuba was divided, the white stripes, the purity of its parties, the red triangle, the blood shed by patriots in the war and the white star, the perfection. These are the most similar flags in color and design because both islands joined together to fight for their independence. In fact, it was Puerto Rico that adopted the design of the Cuban flag.
Luxembourg, Holland and Paraguay
LuxembourgNetherlandsParaguay
Luxembourg and Holland are countries that, along with Paraguay, have something in common, their flags are similar. The flag of Luxembourg is divided into three colors placed in stripes of the same thickness, red, white and blue. The inspiration for the tricolor was thanks to the flag of France and they identified with the meaning of the colors.
When we talk about the flag of France, like Luxembourg, the stripes have equal dimensions and the colors used are in the same order, the difference is the shades. Red represents the blood of those who defended the country, white symbolizes peace and dark blue the seas that surround the country.
The flag of Paraguay is also similar to the two mentioned above, differing in its shield. The similarity of the colors is a fact and when compared with the other flags, it is noted that red is an opaque tone and characterizes justice, white represents peace, and finally, blue is a symbol of freedom.
Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador
VenezuelaColombiaEcuador
It is no coincidence that these countries are on the map almost next to each other and their flags have the same colors between their stripes, even being the same order, although it is easy to distinguish each one, since Venezuela has 8 stars, Colombia has one. Larger yellow stripe, like Ecuador, but this one with a shield in the center.
These three Latin American countries were part of a project called La Gran Colombia. Simón Bolívar, the leader of emancipatory movements on the continent, unified these countries, wanting them to remain that way to fight together for rights and freedoms against foreign powers that wanted to invade the territory, as Spain had done before.
However, La Gran Colombia was dissolved, resulting in the division of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, sharing characteristics between this symbol. The colors in these flags mean the same thing, that is, natural wealth, oceans, and remember the blood shed by characters who gave their lives.