Flag of Bulgaria

Flag origins

Bulgaria’s flag has horizontal bands of white, green and red from top to bottom, as specified in its Constitution. White is commonly interpreted as peace, freedom and purity. Green represents mountains, forests, agriculture and nature, and is also associated with the forests used by those fighting for liberation from Ottoman rule. Red symbolizes blood shed for freedom and independence, courage and sacrifice.

Flag story

During the Constituent Assembly’s deliberations on the state’s institutions, members realized they had not yet decided the national colors. Several days of discussion about Bulgaria’s authentic colors followed before white, green and red were adopted. Many researchers identify the Brăila flag, made by a girl named Stiliyana Paraskevova with her father, as a likely model. Created in 1877 for volunteers fighting for Bulgarian liberation, it was never formally handed to the units because of circumstances on the Russian side. Yet the national flag adopted in 1879 used the same colors. Bulgaria’s National Museum of Military History notes that many researchers regard it as the prototype.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Bulgaria — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

Report an error