The current flag of Chile was adopted in 1817. It was made official by decree on 18 October 1817, during Chile’s struggle for independence, and was publicly presented during the independence pledge ceremony on 12 February 1818.
The flag consists of two equal horizontal bands: white above red. A blue square occupies the upper hoist-side corner of the white band, and it contains a single white five-pointed star. Its Spanish nickname, “La Estrella Solitaria,” means “The Lone Star.”
The 1817 flag followed earlier Chilean designs used during the independence movement, including the Patria Vieja and Transition flags. The design is often credited to José Ignacio Zenteno and Antonio Arcos, although some historians attribute the drawing to Gregorio de Andía y Varela.
A common mix-up is confusing the adoption date with the date of its ceremonial presentation in 1818. The flag was adopted in 1817, while the Chilean state was formally celebrating independence the following year.