Facts About the Honduras Flag

Honduras is a country in Central America that became independent from Spain in 1821. The democratic republic is sometimes referred to as Spanish Honduras. The first flag that flew over Honduras was that of the Federal Republic of Central America, of which Honduras was a member. The current Honduran flag has a history rich in culture and meaning.

History

Honduras put its current flag into use on January 9, 1866.

Design

The Honduran flag's design is composed of a white bar across the center of the flag, sandwiched by two blue bars of equal width. There are five blue stars in the center of the white portion of the flag.

Significance

The blue bars of the Honduras flag signify the waters that border the country--the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The five stars represent the countries that were bound together as the Federal Republic of Central America in the 1820s. The members were Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Respect

The Honduras flag must not be flown on the same staff as another national flag. Keeping staffs separate maintains respect, as neither country is thought to be inferior by its flag being lower down on the pole.

Etiquette

Honduran flags should always be carried well above the ground to avoid dragging (a sign of disrespect) and must be retired when they begin to look tattered.