Belize’s flag is blue with red strips along the upper and lower edges. A white disc contains the national arms. Adopted at independence on 21 September 1981, its artwork was standardized in 2019. This specimen represents the modern 3:5 form. [2]
Specification
Section 3 and Schedule I establish the National Flag of Belize. The Act was assented to and gazetted on 11 February 2025. [1]
| Element | Statutory reference | Inspected SVG |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | 3:5 | 1000 × 600 units |
| Royal blue | PMS 2738 C | #171696 |
| Red | PMS 485 C | #D90F19 |
| White disc | Contains centered arms | Center (500,300), radius 175 |
SVG colors are screen approximations, not certified Pantone conversions or physical production standards. Older palettes reproduced by Flags of the World differ; they are not substitutes for the 2025 statutory references. [2]
Construction notes
The SVG viewBox is 0 0 1000 600. A full red rectangle is overlaid by blue from y=60 to y=540, producing band heights 60:480:60, or 1:8:1. The white disc’s diameter is 350 units (7/12 of the hoist), centered both horizontally and vertically. These measurements describe the supplied artwork; the disc fraction is not a legal dimension.
Schedule I describes the two red borders as one-fifth of the flag’s width, without explicitly saying “combined.” This specimen interprets that collectively: each is H/10. No disc diameter or armorial coordinate grid is stated. [1] A dimensioned official master remains necessary to certify exact emblem contours and scale.
The rendered specimen was inspected for the supporters, tools, tree, ship, wreath and legible motto. Artwork paths and colors were retained. Only accessible title and provenance metadata were added. The emblem is asymmetric; mirroring it would reverse the supporters and inscription. This drawing is not a sewing pattern.
Symbols and use
Schedule IV describes timber tools, a sailing ship, two Belizean supporters, a mahogany tree and fifty leaves commemorating 1950. The motto means “Under the shade I flourish.” [1]
The flag serves national identification on land and at sea. Flags of the World cites section 28 of the Merchant Ships (Registration) Act 2010 for its use by Belizean ships; that legal text was consulted through the specialist transcription. An observed simplified flag without arms is not presented here as an authorized alternative. [2]
Sections 11–13 of the 2025 Act vest design copyright in the Crown and regulate commercial use through licensing, with specified exemptions. The asset’s Commons declaration does not override those provisions. [1]
Historical record
Flags of the World dates adoption to 21 September 1981. [2] The National Celebrations Commission’s 2019 release, reproduced by MyBelize, identifies that day as the original flag’s first flying and describes a project to recover a consistent design. It records standardized specimens being given to mayors for ceremonies on 1 September 2019. [3]
In a recorded statement published on 28 August 2019, Institute for Social and Cultural Research director Nigel Encalada explained the archival basis of the work and the intended preparation of legislation. That announcement is not treated as proof of a gazetted 2019 instrument. [4]
Earlier 2:3 renderings and differing emblem drawings are documented by the specialist reference. They are historical or variant specimens, not interchangeable with this modern 3:5 record. The 1981 date identifies the flag’s adoption, rather than an unchanged vector drawing. [2]
Source trail
- Attorney General’s Ministry: National Symbols Act, 2025, No. 9 — sections 3 and 11–13; Schedules I and IV; official gazette text, printed pages 45–55.
- Flags of the World: Belize — adoption, 2019 standardization, conflicting older ratios and palettes, and maritime-law transcription.
- National Celebrations Commission release reproduced by MyBelize — first flying in 1981 and planned September 2019 ceremonial use; third-party host of the release.
- News 5: The National Flag of Belize receives a face lift, 28 August 2019 — direct statement by Nigel Encalada on standardization and legislative plans.
- Retrieved SVG: country-flags; Commons contributor and rights record; local asset inspection.
Reviewed 15 September 2026. Unresolved: an authenticated dimensioned emblem master and a separate 2019 legal commencement instrument. Related records: Guatemala · Mexico · National flags.