FLAG MOTIF · 01
Argentina and Uruguay: The Sun on Their Flags
Both flags have a sun with a face. What is different?
Look closely and try counting the rays.
LOOK · COUNT · REVEAL
How many rays does each sun have?
Count the straight and wavy rays before opening the answer.
Counted them? Reveal the answers
Argentina
32rays
16 straight and 16 flame-shaped rays alternate.
Uruguay
16rays
Eight straight and eight wavy rays alternate.
The suns are in different places, too
Argentina
Sun：Centre
Sky blue · white · sky blue
Rays：32
Uruguay
Sun：Upper left
Nine stripes: five white and four blue
Rays：16
WHY?
Why do both flags have a similar sun?
Argentina calls its sun the Sol de Mayo (Sun of May); Uruguay also has a sun with a face. The flags took shape during the independence history of the Río de la Plata region. Argentina's official account connects the sun added in 1818 to the May Revolution; its design also appears on early coins issued in 1813. Uruguay's flag was established later, in 1828. The two are independent countries, and their suns should not be assumed to have identical meanings.
THEN · NOW
Were the flags always like this?
Argentina
- 1812 Belgrano created the flag.
- 1816 The sky-blue and white colours were recognised by Congress.
- 1818 The sun was added to the central white stripe.
Uruguay
- 1828 The first flag placed a sun in the upper left.
- 1830 The stripes were changed to four blue and five white.
- 1930 → 1952 Alternating straight and wavy rays began to be used around 1930; the 16-ray design was officially specified in 1952.
Explore each country
Which motif would you look at next?
The Southern Cross, Nordic cross, or crescent and star? Find one on a flag and look a little closer.
PUBLIC SOURCES
Sources for the rays and timeline
Argentina: national flag history and Casa Rosada's ray count and coin account. Uruguay: ANEP's flag evolution and stripe count; Canelones government's account of the 1828, 1830 and 1952 specifications.