El Salvador was initially a member of the Centalamerican Federation, and used its flag. The flag of the Centalamerican Federation is a blue-white-blue horizontal striped flag with a coat of arms in the middle of the white stripe. It is a design from Manuel José Arce and was created in context with the anti-mexican defence-fight, and was hoisted up for the first time in 1822. This flag was adoped for the United States of Cental America (Centalamerican Federation) on the 21st of August in 1823. The colours blue, white and blue (centalamerican colours) were pristine used in the fights for independence against Spain and they are a symbol of solidarity with other southamerican states, and embody the common will of the members of the federation for freedom and independence. The arrangement of the colours describes the position of Cental America between the both oceans. The coat of arms, just as the flag, was introduced on the 21st of August in 1823. It shows five volcanos, standing for the members of the federation. The triangle symbolizes equality, the phrygian cap symbolizes freedom, and the rainbow symbolizes hope. After the end of the federation (1838/39) El Salvador maintained this flag to 1865. Then was introduced a flag after the model of the flag of the USA. In the nearly 50 years of its use, this flag has undergone many changes in the area ofthe star field. The number of stars varied potently, and so did the number of horizontal rows of stars. The today's blue-white-blue horizontal striped flag was reintroduced on the 17th of May in 1912, and offically confirmed on the 27th of september in 1972. In comparison with the flag of the Centalamerican Federation however precipitates the blue in the flag of El Salvador some paler. The Motto in the merchant flag is "Dios, Union, Libertad" (God, Unity, Freedom).
The coat of arms of El Salvador is nearly the same like the coat of arms of the Centalamerican Federation. The triangle in the coat of arms symbolizes the equality, the rainbow and the phrygian cap stand for freedom. Between two water-surfaces (Pacific and Atlantic – this means the geographical position) rise five volcanos. They are stand for the five members of the Centalamerican Federation. Over there the date "15th of September 1821", the day of the proclamation of the independence of El Salvador from Spain.
1875
