# Flag of Batangas

The flag of Batangas is the provincial flag of Batangas, Philippines. It is a horizontal triband of blue, white, and red — the main colors of the Philippine flag — with the escutcheon taken from the provincial seal in the center.

## Symbolism

Nearly similar to the 2009 flag redesign, the current iteration of the flag is a horizontal triband of blue, white, and red.
The escutcheon (shield) from the provincial seal that was adopted in 2022 is placed in the flag's center.
Color bands :
| Color | Color | Symbolizes |
| Blue | Blue | peace, truth, and justice |
| White | White | freedom, equality, and camaraderie |
| Red | Red | patriotism and valor |
| Escutcheon (central element) |||
| Section | Element | Symbolizes |
| Three-part divider | Balisong | Bravery and valor of Batangas' people 34 bezants which ornate the handle of the balisong – the five cities and 29 municipalities of the province Sun – honors the representation of the province as one of the rays of the Philippine flag |
| Blue | Galleon | vast waters of the province. It also symbolizes the province as a sea transportation hub, especially through Batangas International Port, the second most busiest seaport in the country next to Manila's. |
| Blue | Eight waves | Verde Island Passage, as well as the other bays of the province namely: Balayan, Talim, Nasugbu, Pagapas, Tayabas, Sigayan, and Coloconto. |
| Red | Horse | Represents independence, freedom, greatness, stability, bravery, victory, heroism, and competition |
| White | Volcano | Emphasis on the Taal Volcano as a geograpical landmark of the province. |

## History
### Pre-2009 flag design

The previous flag of Batangas was predominantly white with a narrow blue stripe at the bottom. This stripe was surmounted by the words "BATANGAS PROVINCE" and a gold-colored bull, courant toward the provincial seal located on the upper part of the fly. This flag was replaced due to its resemblance to the flag of the U.S. state of California.

### Vilma Santos-Recto flag design

This flag design was a horizontal triband of blue, white, and red — the main colors of the Philippine flag — with the provincial seal in the center. The flag design was adopted from 2009 to 2023 and was known as the "Vilma Santos-Recto Administration Provincial Flag" due to being adopted during Governor Vilma Santos-Recto's term.
Other proposals considered in replacing the old flag involved: incorporating the image of a revered Katipunan figure and Batangas native Apolinario Mabini; incorporating a chevron design; and restoring the old flag format of a plain purple flag with the updated provincial seal in the center.
The flag has a width-to-length proportion of 1:2. In the unveiling ceremony for the flag, the sample construction sheet provides a width of 3 ft (0.91 m) and a length of 6 ft (1.8 m). The top (blue) and bottom (red) stripes have widths of 7 in (18 cm) each, while the middle (white) stripe is given a width of 22 in (56 cm). The provincial seal is given diameter of 20.5 in (52 cm).

### 2023 flag redesign

The 2023 flag redesign was unveiled and adopted on December 8, 2023, on the occasion of the province's 442nd founding anniversary under the administration of Governor Hermilando Mandanas. It is a blue, white, and red tricolor of equal height with the shield of the province's seal in the middle.