FLAG OF BULGARIA: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Bulgaria is the official flag that is responsible for identifying the nation at the national and international level. It is composed of three horizontal stripes of the same size, and its colors are white, green and red. These represent peace, the Bulgarian lands and their fertility, and the courage of the people, respectively.

In its origins, the Bulgarian flag had the colors of Pan-Slavic, a cultural and political movement that defended the unity of the Slavic countries. In 1878 the blue stripe was changed to a green one. The ratio of this flag is 3: 5.

Current flag of Bulgaria. (By: SKopp. Via Wikimedia Commons) Bulgaria also has flags such as the bow, the Coast Guard and the war flag. The combat flag has a ratio of 1: 1 and is used by the Armed Forces of the country.

History of the flag

In the 19th century, Bulgaria used a flag that was made up of the colors of Pan-Slavism. This was a political and cultural movement that sought and, in turn, defended the unity on a social and historical level, of the Slavic countries. These colors were white, blue, and red.

When the nation became independent in 1878, the flag of Russia served as the inspiration for the nascent Bulgarian flag. With respect to the Russian, only the central blue stripe was replaced by a green one. This color represents the vegetation and agriculture of the nation in which a good development was observed.

Flag of Bulgaria 1878-1944. (By: SKopp. Via Wikimedia Commons) This flag was in force from February 22, 1878 to May 27, 1944. During the Kingdom of Bulgaria, so called since 1908, the flag was kept with the same stripes. The only difference was that, eventually, in the upper left corner the monarchical emblem was included.

Communist bulgaria

The Second World War ended and Bulgaria became a country occupied by the Soviet Union. This had an influence in the following decades, as Bulgaria became a socialist state in the Soviet orbit.

In 1944, the emblem was changed to the coat of arms again. This includes a lion with traditional socialist symbology. The badge was in use until 1946.

Flag of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1946-1948). (By User: B1mbo, via Wikimedia Commons) From then on, all the shields that Bulgaria had during its dictatorship were located in the upper left corner, within the white strip. In 1948 the shield was changed, which had a red background and became light blue. The flag was the official flag of the country until 1967.

Flag of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1948-1967). (By Scroch, from Wikimedia Commons).

Constant changes in the shield

Since 1967 the shield began to change shape, especially the colors. In that year, the lion became brown and the ears white. However, the design of the shield was the same. This version of the flag was in force until 1971.

Flag of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1967-1971). (By User: Scroch, from Wikimedia Commons) In 1971 the last flag change was made in communist Bulgaria. This time, there was a change in color and date. The lion stopped being brown and became white. In addition, the date of the year 681 was added, in which the First Bulgarian Empire began.

Flag of the People's Republic of Bulgaria (1971-1990). (By User: Scroch, from Wikimedia Commons) With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of all communist regimes in Eastern Europe, the flag of Bulgaria returned to what it used to be. To do so, she removed the shield and left only the three stripes.

Meaning of the flag

The Bulgarian flag is made up of three horizontal stripes of the same size. Its colors are, in descending order, white, green and red.

The first stripe is white. As is traditional with this color throughout the world, in this case it symbolizes peace. Also the central strip, green, has a common meaning for its color. It is a representation of the Bulgarian lands and their fertility. The vocation of this strip is agricultural.

Instead, the color red has always been related to blood. Although this is not the meaning attributed to it on the Bulgarian flag, it is related. This strip symbolizes the courage of the Bulgarian people throughout history.

In turn, another meaning is also accepted, which is related to the number of stripes. The three together represent the three ancient Bulgarian regions which are Messia, Thrace and Macedonia.

Other flags

Bulgaria has five other different flags. Each one has a specific function and its design is based on the colors of the national flag. These flags are:

Combat flag

It has a 1: 1 ratio. On each side it has golden silk fringes. In the middle of the flag there is a cross of the Order of Courage in red on a green background. At the center of the cross is a golden lion looking to the right on a shield with a white background.

Gold bay leaves are embroidered on the green parts of the flag. These surround a white background that reads "BA" which means Bulgarian Army.

In the upper central part you can also read God with us in gold letters. This flag is subjected to a traditional and historical consecration in Bulgaria.

Combat flag of Bulgaria. (By = Hristo Hristov, edited by Dimitar Navorski, from Wikimedia Commons).

War pavilion

This flag is in charge of indicating that the navy ships belong to Bulgaria. The pavilion is made up of three stripes. The first is white and covers more than half of it.

The two remaining stripes are the same size and colored green and red. In the upper left corner there is a red box. Inside it there is a yellow lion, a symbol that has represented the country over the years.

Bulgarian war flag. (By Denelson83.. Via Wikimedia Commons).

Bow flag

This flag is made up of a white background. On it rests a large green X that touches each corner of the banner. Above it is a red cross. Its overlapping crosses are reminiscent of the UK flag. This insignia has a ceremonial use and is hoisted on the prow.

Bow flag of Bulgaria. (By Denelson83.. Via Wikimedia Commons).

Coast Guard Flag

This flag consists of a green rectangle. In its upper left corner there is a flag very similar to the Bulgarian war flag. The difference is that the lion occupies almost the entire left half of the white stripe. Below it there are only small green and red stripes.

Flag of the Bulgarian Coast Guard. (By Denelson83.. Via Wikimedia Commons).

References

1. Crampton, R. (2007). History of Bulgaria. Recovered from books.google.co.ve
2. DK Publishing (2008). Complete Flags of the World. New York. Recovered from books.google.co.ve
3. Law for the State Seal and National Flag of the Republic of Bulgaria (1999). National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. Recovered from parliament.bg
4. Law for the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997). National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. Recovered from parliament.bg
5. Smith, W. (2011). Flag of Bulgaria. Encyclopædia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.