three equal horizontal bands of cobalt blue (top), white, and cobalt blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band
the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL
the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America
the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity
note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band
also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band