Costa Rica vs Thailand vs North Korea Flag: Horizontal Stripe Siblings
Costa Rica, Thailand, and North Korea form an unlikely trio of flags that share remarkably similar horizontal stripe patterns using red, white, and blue. All three feature blue stripes on the outside, white stripes adjacent to them, and a wider red or dark-colored stripe in the center. From Central America to Southeast Asia to East Asia, these three flags demonstrate how different nations can independently arrive at strikingly similar designs.
Key Differences
- Costa Rica's center red stripe is double the width of the others and may include the national coat of arms (state flag version); Thailand's center stripe is dark blue (not red); North Korea's center stripe is red with a white disc and red star.
- Thailand has 5 stripes (red-white-blue-white-red); Costa Rica has 5 stripes (blue-white-red-white-blue); North Korea has 5 bands (blue-white-red-white-blue) with a star emblem.
- The stripe order is different: Costa Rica and North Korea go blue-white-red-white-blue (outside in); Thailand goes red-white-blue-white-red.
- North Korea adds a red five-pointed star in a white disc on the red stripe; the other two have no permanent emblem on the civil flag.
- Costa Rica's flag dates to 1848; Thailand's to 1917; North Korea's to 1948.
Similarities
- All three use red, white, and blue horizontal stripes.
- All three have 5 horizontal bands with the widest stripe in the center.
- All three feature a symmetric pattern mirrored from the center outward.
- None of the three were colonial powers borrowing from each other — the similarities are coincidental.
Why Do Costa Rica and Thailand Flags Look So Similar?
The similarity is entirely coincidental. Costa Rica's flag was designed in 1848 by First Lady Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, inspired by the French Tricolore and the ideals of the French Revolution. Thailand's flag was redesigned in 1917 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), adding a dark blue center stripe to show solidarity with the Allied Powers in World War I (who all used red, white, and blue). North Korea's flag was created in 1948, replacing the traditional Korean Taegukgi with a Soviet-influenced design. Three continents, three centuries, one color palette — pure coincidence.
History of the Costa Rican Flag
Costa Rica's flag was designed on September 29, 1848, by Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, wife of President José María Castro Madriz. She was inspired by the French Revolution and its tricolor. The blue stripes represent the sky, opportunity, and perseverance. The white stripes represent peace, wisdom, and happiness. The red central stripe — wider than the others — represents the blood shed for freedom, the warmth of Costa Rican people, and their generous spirit.
History of the Thai Flag
Thailand's current flag, the Trairanga (ไตรรงค์, 'tricolor'), was adopted on September 28, 1917. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) replaced the previous red flag with a white elephant by adding blue to the center stripe — reportedly after seeing the flag flown upside down and wanting a symmetric design. The dark blue center also showed solidarity with the WWI Allies. Red represents the nation and the blood of the people, white represents Buddhism and purity, and blue represents the monarchy.
History of the North Korean Flag
North Korea's flag was adopted on September 8, 1948, when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established. The design replaced the traditional Taegukgi (used by both Koreas before partition). The broad red stripe represents revolutionary traditions. The white stripes symbolize purity and Korean cultural heritage. The blue stripes represent sovereignty and peace. The red star in a white disc represents communism and the leadership of the Korean Workers' Party.
Color Comparison
Costa Rica Flag Colors
Thailand Flag Colors
North Korea Flag Colors
Fun Facts
- Costa Rica's flag was designed by a woman — Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno — making it one of the few national flags designed by a female creator.
- Thailand's King Vajiravudh added the blue stripe partly because he saw the old flag hung upside down and wanted a symmetric design that looked the same either way.
- North Korea and Costa Rica are about as politically different as two countries can be — yet their flags are strikingly similar in layout.
- All three flags are symmetric when flipped upside down (ignoring North Korea's star), reflecting the mirror-pattern stripe design.
- The French Tricolore influenced Costa Rica's design; WWI Allied solidarity influenced Thailand's; Soviet ideology influenced North Korea's — three completely separate inspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Costa Rica and Thailand flags look alike?
The similarity is entirely coincidental. Costa Rica's flag was designed in 1848 by First Lady Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, inspired by the French Tricolore and the ideals of the French Revolution. Thailand's flag was redesigned in 1917 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), adding a dark blue center stripe to show solidarity with the Allied Powers in World War I (who all used red, white, and blue). North Korea's flag was created in 1948, replacing the traditional Korean Taegukgi with a Soviet-influenced design. Three continents, three centuries, one color palette — pure coincidence.
What is the difference between the Costa Rica and Thailand flag?
- Costa Rica's center red stripe is double the width of the others and may include the national coat of arms (state flag version); Thailand's center stripe is dark blue (not red); North Korea's center stripe is red with a white disc and red star.
- Thailand has 5 stripes (red-white-blue-white-red); Costa Rica has 5 stripes (blue-white-red-white-blue); North Korea has 5 bands (blue-white-red-white-blue) with a star emblem.
- The stripe order is different: Costa Rica and North Korea go blue-white-red-white-blue (outside in); Thailand goes red-white-blue-white-red.
- North Korea adds a red five-pointed star in a white disc on the red stripe; the other two have no permanent emblem on the civil flag.
- Costa Rica's flag dates to 1848; Thailand's to 1917; North Korea's to 1948.
Are the Costa Rica and Thailand flags the same?
No, while they look very similar, the flags of Costa Rica and Thailand have distinct differences. Costa Rica's center red stripe is double the width of the others and may include the national coat of arms (state flag version); Thailand's center stripe is dark blue (not red); North Korea's center stripe is red with a white disc and red star.
Can You Tell Them Apart?
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Play Flag Quiz →Other Similar Flags
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