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Paysandú (Uruguay)

image by Daniel Rentería, 20 October 2025

Description of the flag
Coat of Arms

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Department government website about local symbols
reported by Francisco Gregoric, 12 Oct 2004

Description of the flag

This flag has three horizontal stripes: blue-white-blue, with one red thin stripe over each blue stripe. In the centre of the white stripe there is a flower: the mburucuyá flower (Passiflora coerulea). The mburucuyá flower has three pistils that represent the three historical defences of Paysandú City. In popular tradition the mburucuyá flower, called "La Pasionaria" (Passion-flower), symbolizes the Passion of the Lord: the spined crown, the three nails with Jesus was crucified and the five stigmas that injured him.
Diego Soares de Lima Cavestany, 11 Oct 2004

Paysandú flag was first raised on 2 June 1992, and it was designed by Silvio Giordano. The design is based on a Federalist flag used during early 1815, in José Artigas' camp in Arerunguá.

Some Argentine authors say that this flag was used as the first Provincial flag of Corrientes also. In Uruguay that historical flag is known as "Flag of the League of the Free Peoples", or just "Arerunguá Flag"

The differences with the historical flag are the central symbol added to the central white stripe in Paysandú flag and the proportions: in present day flag the white stripe is wider than in the 1815 flag.

The proportions of the Paysandú flag are 1+1+1+6+1+1+1. The white stripe is twice the wide of a blue stripe (with red stripe included).
Francisco Gregoric, 12 Oct 2004

Coat of Arms

image by Daniel Rentería, 20 October 2025
Source: https://www.paysandu.gub.uy

The coat of arms of the department was approved on 25 July 1928 and its creator was Salvador Puig and Sarvet. Surrounding the shield is a wreath of laurel branches for glory. Above the shield is a rising sun for liberty. The shield has a blue border reading the motto "TRABAJO PAZ PROGRESO" [Work, Peace, Progress] around 3 of its sides (not including the bottom). The shield is divided into three sections. The upper-left section depicts an anchor with a background of the sky and sea, symbolizing the port city along the Uruguay River. The upper-right section depicts a bundle of wheat for agriculture. The lower section depicts the Artigas Plateau with its monument over it, symbol of patriotism.

Daniel Rentería, 20 October 2025