Flag |
National |
Ratio |
Adopted |
Usage |
Symbolism |
|
Afghanistan |
2:3 |
2004 |
National |
·
Black: the past
· Red: blood shed for independence; or, bravery
· Green: Islam, hope for the future; or, agricultural
prosperity
· National coat of arms |
|
Akrotiri |
1:2 |
1960 |
As in the UK
(Territory of UK) |
[See UK] |
|
Albania |
5:7 |
7
Apr. 1992 |
National |
·
Black eagle: national emblem linked to the 15th century hero
Skanderbeg |
|
Algeria |
2:3 |
3
July 1962 |
National and
Civil |
·
Green: Islam
· White: purity and peace
· Red crescent and star of Islam: from 16th century Ottoman
rule (red: liberty; longer horns: increased or good fortune
and happiness) |
|
American
Samoa |
1:2 |
27 Apr. 1960 |
Official
(Territory of
USA) |
·
American bald eagle holding traditional Samoan symbols of
a war club and a coconut fibre fly whisk
· Red and white: traditional colours of Samoa and the US
· Combination mimics the US Great Seal, reflecting relationship
between both lands |
|
Andorra |
7:10 |
10
July 1996 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue and red: from French flag
· Yellow and red: from Spanish flag
· National coat of arms |
|
Angola |
2:3 |
11 Nov. 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: liberty
· Black: African continent
· Half cogwheel and machete: agriculture and industry; or,
workers and peasants
(Colours and star adopted from the People's Liberation Movement
of Angola) |
|
Anguilla |
1:2 |
1990 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Territory's coat of arms |
|
Antigua and Barbuda |
2:3 |
27 Feb. 1967 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: African heritage
· White: hope
· Blue: Caribbean Sea; or, hope
· Red: dynamism of the people
· V-shape: victory
· Rising sun: new era
(Or yellow, white and blue refer to sun, sea and sand) |
|
Argentina |
5:8 |
12 Feb. 1812 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue and white from cockades worn by revolutionaries of 1812;
or, the skies and snow of the Andes
· Sun: the Sun of May, with features of Inti, the Inca god
of the sun; commemorates appearance of the sun through cloudy
skies on 25 May 1810 during independence demonstrations |
|
Armenia |
1:2 |
24 Aug. 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: hope and the Armenian skies
· Red: Armenian blood spilt during independence struggle
· Orange: blessings of hard work, the land and the courage
of its farmers |
|
Aruba |
2:3 |
18 Mar. 1976 |
Official
(Territory of Netherlands) |
·
Star: Aruba with red soil and white beaches
· Four star points: four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch,
Spanish, English); four compass points indicating the inhabitants
come from all over the world
· Blue: Caribbean waters and skies
· Stripes: two major industries of tourism and minerals |
|
Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
1:2 |
1933 |
As in Australia
(Territory of Australia) |
[See Australia] |
|
Australia |
1:2 |
29 May 1909 |
National and Civil |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Large seven-pointed Commonwealth or Federation Star: federation
of the colonies, one point for each of the original colonies
· Stars Southern Cross constellation |
|
Austria |
2:3 |
1 May 1945 |
National and Civil |
·
Red and white: blood-soaked tunic of Duke Leopold V of Austria
who, after removing his belt, revealed a white band; the colours
he then adopted for his banner |
|
Azerbaijan |
1:2 |
5 Feb. 1991 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Islam
· Blue: Turkic heritage
· Red: European influence; or, modernisation and progress
· White crescent of Islam and eight-pointed star representing
the eight Turkic peoples |
|
Bahamas |
1:2 |
10 July 1973 |
National |
·
Black: strength of the people
· Blue: Caribbean Sea
· Yellow: islands' beaches
· Triangle: enterprise and determination of the people |
|
Bahrain |
3:5 |
2002 |
National and Civil |
·
Red and white: traditional colours of the Gulf states flags
· Serrated band points: five pillars of Islam |
|
Bangladesh |
3:5 |
25 Jan. 1972 |
National |
·
Green: the land or vegetation
· Red disc: rising sun and struggle for independence |
|
Barbados |
2:3 |
30 Nov. 1966 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: the sea and sky
· Gold: the beaches
· Head of a trident: a break with the past and independence |
|
Belarus |
1:2 |
16 May 1995 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: past struggles from oppression
· Green: hope and the country's forests
· National ornament of woven cloth |
|
Belgium |
13:15 |
23 Jan. 1831 |
National and Civil |
·
Colours from arms of duchy of Brabant
· Vertical layout from French flag |
|
Belize |
2:3 |
21 Sept. 1981 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: colour of the People's United Party (PUP)
· Red: colour of the United Democratic Party (UDP)
· National coat of arms
· Wreath of fifty leaves surrounding the arms: 1950, year
the PUP gained power |
|
Benin |
2:3 |
16 Nov. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: courage
· Green: hope and revival
· Yellow: wealth
(Pan-African colours symbolising African unity and nationalism) |
|
Bermuda |
1:2 |
Oct. 1967 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Territory's coat of arms |
|
Bhutan |
2:3 |
c. 1965 |
National and Civil |
·
Yellow: ruling dynasty
· Druk (Thunder Dragon): national emblem
· Orange: Buddhism, Drukpa monasteries and religious practices |
|
Bolivia |
2:3 |
30 Nov. 1851 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: valour and blood of national heroes
· Yellow: nation's mineral reserves
· Green: fertility of the land
· National coat of arms |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1:2 |
4 Feb. 1998 |
National and Civil |
·
Triangle: Bosnia's geographical shape with its three points
standing for Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs
· Stars: Europe
· White, blue and yellow: traditional nationals colours also
associated with neutrality and peace |
|
Botswana |
2:3 |
30 Sept. 1966 |
National and Civil |
·
Black and white: racial harmony
· Blue: water and life |
|
Bouvet Island |
8:11 |
1928 |
As in Norway
(Territory of Norway) |
[See Norway] |
|
Brazil |
7:10 |
15 Nov. 1889 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: the forests
· Yellow rhombus: mineral resources
· 27 stars: each state in the Federation and the federal district
· Blue circle: sky over Rio de Janeiro on 15 Nov. 1889 when
the Republic was declared
· White equatorial band with national motto 'Order and Progress' |
|
British Indian Ocean Territory |
1:2 |
1990 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Palm tree: island's vegetation
· Crown: British possession
· Wavy stripes: Indian Ocean
· Stripes: possibly the six atolls of the archipelago |
|
British Virgin Islands |
1:2 |
1956 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Islands' coat of arms |
|
Brunei |
1:2 |
29 Sept. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Yellow: the sultanate
· Black and white bands: chief ministers
· National emblem |
|
Bulgaria |
2:3 |
22 Nov. 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
White: love of peace
· Red: army's valour
· Green: youthfulness of the emerging nation; or, freedom
(Green replaced blue in Pan-Slav red, white and blue colours) |
|
Burkina Faso |
2:3 |
4 Aug. 1984 |
|
·
Red: 1984 revolution; or, the struggle for independence
· Green: country's resources; or, hope and abundance
· Star: guiding light of the revolution; or, the country's
mineral wealth |
|
Burundi |
2:3 |
28 June 1867 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: hope and optimism
· White: peace and purity
· Red: blood shed for independence
· Stars: three ethnic groups of Tutsi, Hutu and Twa and three
elements in the national motto (unity, work, progress) |
|
Cambodia |
2:3 |
29 June 1993 |
National and Civil |
·
Red and blue: traditional national colours
· Temple of Angkor Wat |
|
Cameroon |
2:3 |
20 May 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Pattern from France's flag
· Green: hope and the forests in the south
· Red: unity
· Yellow: prosperity; or, the sun, happiness and the savannahs
in the north
· Star of unity
(Pan-African colours symbolising African unity and nationalism) |
|
Canada |
1:2 |
15 Feb. 1965 |
National and Civil |
·
Maple leaf: national emblem
· White: the snowy north
· Red: sacrifices made in World War I |
|
Cape Verde |
10:17 |
25 Feb. 1992 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: Atlantic Ocean and the sky
· Red stripe between two white stripes: road to formation
of the country through peace (white) and effort (red)
· Ten stars: nation's united ten major islands |
|
Cayman Islands |
1:2 |
14 May 1958 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Islands' coat of arms |
|
Central African Republic |
2:3 |
1 Dec. 1958 |
National and Civil |
·
French flag and Pan-African colours are combined
· Vertical red stripe: unity and the blood of humanity;
or, blood spilt in the independence struggle
· Blue: sky and freedom
· White: peace and dignity
· Green: hope and faith
· Yellow: tolerance
· Star: hope of a union under France; or, aspiration towards
a vibrant future |
|
Chad |
2:3 |
6 Nov. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Two French flag and two Pan-African colours are combined
· Red: progress, unity, and sacrifice, and blood spilt in
the independence struggle
· Yellow: sun and desert in the north
· Blue: sky and waters of the south |
|
Chile |
2:3 |
18 Oct. 1817 |
National and Civil |
·
Based on US flag
· White: snow of the Andes
· Red: blood shed for freedom and independence
· Blue: Andean skies
· Star: guide to progress and honour |
|
China |
2:3 |
1 Oct. 1949 |
National and Civil |
·
Large star: communism
· Smaller stars: the social classes (working class, peasantry,
urban petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeoisie [capitalists])
· Red: communist revolution and traditional colour of the
Chinese |
|
Christmas Island |
1:2 |
2002 |
Official
(Aus. territory) |
·
Golden Bosun Bird: island's emblem
· Southern Cross: Australia
· Map of the island |
|
Clipperton Island |
2:3 |
1935 |
As in France
(Possession of France) |
[See France] |
|
Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
1:2 |
1955 |
As in Australia
(Territory of Australia) |
[See Australia] |
|
Colombia |
2:3 |
17 Dec. 1819 |
National |
·
Yellow: the land's gold; or, sovereignty and justice
· Blue: independence from Spain; or, the seas; or, loyalty
and vigilance
· Red: blood spilt for freedom; or, valour and generosity
(Original colours of Gran Colombia flag) |
|
Comoros |
2:3 |
Jan. 2002 |
Government and Civil |
·
Crescent of Islam
· Green: Islam
· Stars: nation's four islands
· Stripes: nation's four islands |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
2:3 |
18 Feb. 2006 |
National and Civil |
·
Gold stripes: hope in the future; or, country's wealth and
prosperity
· Red diagonal: blood shed in civil wars; or, the country's
martyrs
· Blue: peace and hope
· Star: unity and country's brilliant future |
|
Republic of the Congo |
2:3 |
20 Nov. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Pan-African colours
· Green: agriculture and forests
· Yellow: friendship and nobility of the people
· Red: associated with independence struggle |
|
Cook Islands |
1:2 |
4 Aug. 1979 |
Official
(Association with NZ) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Blue: peaceful ocean nation
· Stars: equality of the fifteen islands; faith in God |
|
Coral Sea Islands |
1:2 |
1969 |
As in Australia
(Territory of Australia) |
[See Australia] |
|
Costa Rica |
3:5 |
29 Sept. 1848 |
National and State |
·
Colours from France's flag
· Blue: sky, opportunity, and perseverance
· White: peace, happiness, and wisdom
· Red: blood shed for freedom; generosity and vibrancy of
the people |
|
Côte d'Ivoire |
2:3 |
3 Dec. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Design from France's flag
· Orange: savannah grasslands of the north and fertility
· Green: forests of the south and hope for a bright future
· White: country's rivers; or, peace and unity |
|
Croatia |
1:2 |
22 Dec. 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Pan-Slav red, white and blue colours |
|
Cuba |
1:2 |
20 May 1902 |
National and Civil |
·
Lone Star: lights the way to freedom
· Red: blood shed in independence struggle
· Triangle: liberty, equality, fraternity
· Blue bands: three old divisions of the island (central,
occidental, oriental)
· White bands: purity of the independence ideal
(Design from US stars and stripes, star from flag of Texas) |
|
Curacao |
2:3 |
2 July 1984 |
Official
(Country of Netherlands) |
·
Stars: the two islands; peace, happiness
· Five star points: five continents from which island's
people derive
· Upper blue section: sky
· Lower blue section: sea, loyalty
· Yellow: sun, happy nature of the inhabitants |
|
Cyprus |
3.5 |
16 Aug. 1960 |
National and Civil |
·
Copper colour: island's name
· Olive branches: hope for peace and reconciliation between
Greek and Turkish communities |
|
Northern Cyprus |
2.3 |
1983 |
National and Civil |
·
Based on the Turkish flag, but with reversed colours |
|
Czech Republic |
2:3 |
30 Mar. 1920 |
National and Civil |
·
White and red: heraldic colours of Bohemia
· Blue triangle: state of Moravia |
|
Denmark |
28:37 |
1625 |
National and Civil |
·
Based on a legend that a red flag with a white cross fell
from the sky and was caught by the king during a 13th century
battle
· May originate from a crusader banner or ensign |
|
Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area |
1:2 |
1960 |
As in the UK
(Territory of UK) |
[See UK] |
|
Djibouti |
2:3
or 21:38 |
27 June 1977 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sea, sky and the Issa people
· Green: the earth, the Afar people and their links with
Islam
· White: peace
· Star: struggle for independence and state unity |
|
Dominica |
1:2 |
3 Nov. 1978 |
National and Civil |
·
Yellow: sunshine, main agricultural products (citrus and
bananas), the Carib Indians
· Black: fertile soil and African heritage
· Green: country's vegetation
· White: rivers, waterfalls and the purity of aspirations
· Triple-coloured cross: Christian Trinity
· Stars: the ten parishes
· Red disc: social justice
· Sisserou parrot: a national symbol |
|
Dominican Republic |
2:3 |
6 Nov. 1844 |
National and state |
·
Blue: liberty
· Red: blood of heroes
· White: salvation
· Cross: Trinitarian independence movement symbol
· National coat of arms |
|
East Timor/
Timor-Leste |
1:2 |
20 May 2002 |
National and Civil |
·
Star: hope, peace, guiding light
· Black: obscurantism, past oppression
· Yellow: past colonialism; or, country's wealth
· Red: struggle for national liberation |
|
Ecuador |
1:2 |
26 Sept. 1860 |
National |
·
Yellow: federation colour; or, sunshine, grain, and mineral
wealth
· Blue: independence from Spain; or, the sky, sea, and rivers
· Red: courage; or, blood of patriots spilt in struggle
for freedom and justice
· National coat of arms
(Original colours of Gran Colombia flag) |
|
Egypt |
2:3 |
4 Oct. 1984 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: oppression
· Red: bloody struggle
· White: bright future
· Eagle of Saladin national emblem
(Band colours from Arab Liberation flag) |
|
El Salvador |
189:335 |
17 May 1912 |
National and State |
·
Blue bands: Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
· White band: land between the two bodies of waters, and
peace and prosperity
· National coat of arms
(Based on flag of Federal Republic of Central America) |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
2:3 |
12 Oct. 1968 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue triangle: the sea
· Green: jungle and natural resources
· White: peace
· Red: fight for independence
· National coat of arms |
|
Eritrea |
1:2 |
24 May 1993 |
National and Civil |
·
Olive branch encircled by wreath: Eritrean autonomy
· Green: country's agriculture economy
· Blue: bounty of the sea
· Red: blood spilt in fight for freedom
· Red triangle: shape of the country
(Colours from Eritrean People's Liberation Front) |
|
Estonia |
7:11 |
8 May 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
White: virtue, striving towards enlightenment, struggle
for freedom, the snow, birch bark, summer nights under the
midnight sun
· Blue: loyalty, faith, devotion, sky, sea and lakes
· Black: past oppression and the soil |
|
Eswatini
|
2:3 |
30 Oct. 1967 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: peace, stability
· Red: past struggles
· Yellow: mineral resources
· Shield (from Emasotsha Regiment), Assegais spears, staff
with Injobo tassels: protection from nation's enemies
· Black and white on shield: blacks and whites living in
peace |
|
Ethiopia |
1:2 |
6 Feb. 1996 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: strength and sacrifice
· Green: fertility of the land, hope
· Yellow: peace and love; or, justice and harmony
· National emblem |
|
Falkland Islands |
1:2 |
1948 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Island's coat of arms |
|
Faroe Islands |
8:11 |
1940 |
Official
(Part of Kingdom of Denmark) |
·
White: clear sky, foam of the waves
· Red and blue: traditional colours |
|
Fiji |
1:2 |
10 Oct. 1970 |
National and Civil |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Blue: Pacific Ocean
· National coat of arms |
|
Finland |
11:18 |
29 May 1918 |
National and Civil |
·
White: snows of winter
· Blue: the skies and lakes
(Based on the Scandinavian cross) |
|
France |
2:3 |
15 Feb. 1794 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue and red: Parisian militia
· White: House of Bourbon
· Red, white and blue: liberty, equality and fraternity |
|
French Guiana |
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France (Overseas dept of France) |
[See France] |
|
French Guiana |
2:3 |
2010 |
Unofficial |
·
Green: forests
· Yellow: land's treasures
· Red star: socialist orientation |
|
French Polynesia |
2:3 |
1844 |
Official occasions (Overseas country of France] |
[See France] |
|
French Polynesia |
2:3 |
1984 |
Official |
·
National coat of arms
· Red and white: traditional Polynesian colours |
|
French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
2:3 |
1794 |
As
in France
(Possession of France) |
[See
France] |
|
Gabon |
3:4 |
9 Aug. 1960 |
National and Civil |
·
Gold: the equator and sun
· Green: forests and natural resources
· Blue: sea |
|
Gambia |
2:3 |
18 Feb. 1965 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: the savannah and sun
· Blue: Gambia River
· Green: forests and agriculture
· White: peace and unity |
|
Georgia |
2:3 |
14 Jan. 2004 |
National and Civil |
·
Large red cross of St George
· Four small crosses: possibly based on the 'Jerusalem'
cross |
|
Germany |
3:5 |
23 May 1949 |
National and Civil |
·
Interpretations include: colours appearing on the medieval
banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and those from soldiers'
uniforms during the Napoleonic Wars |
|
Ghana |
2:3 |
6 Mar. 1957 |
National |
·
Pan-African colours
· Red: blood shed for independence
· Yellow: mineral wealth
· Green: rich forests and natural wealth
· Star of African freedom |
|
Gibraltar |
1:2 |
1983 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Castle: territory as a fortress
· Key: territory's strategic importance in the Mediterranean
(Design from 1502 coat of arms) |
|
Greece |
2:3 |
1822 |
National and Civil |
·
White cross: Greek Orthodoxy
· Blue: sea and sky
· White: purity of the independence struggle
· Stripes: possibly the nine syllables in the cry 'Freedom
or Death' uttered during the war of independence |
|
Greenland |
2:3 |
1985 |
Official
(Part of Kingdom of Denmark) |
·
White: ice
· Red: sun
· Colours from Danish flag symbolising the link between
both lands |
|
Grenada |
3:5 |
7 Feb. 1974 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: courage, harmony, unity and vitality
· Yellow: the sun, wisdom and warmth
· Green: vegetation and agriculture
· Six outer stars: six parishes
· Central star on red disc: the capital, St George's
· Nutmeg pod: national product |
|
Guadeloupe |
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France
(Department of France) |
[See France] |
|
Guadeloupe |
|
|
Unofficial |
·
Based upon the arms of the city of Pointe-a-Pitrefield
· Blue stripe along the top edge charged with three
gold fleur-de-lys represents France
· Green sugar cane fronds, represent one of Guadeloupe's
main crops
· Gold, radiant sun represents the tropical climate |
|
Guam |
22:41 |
1917 |
Official with US flag
(Territory of USA) |
·
Seal of the territory
· Blue: sea
· Red: blood shed in struggle against oppression
(Colours from US flag) |
|
Guatemala |
5:8 |
17 Aug. 1871 |
National and state |
·
Blue: Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the sea and sky
· White: purity and peace
· National coat of arms
(Based on flag of Federal Republic of Central America) |
|
Guernsey |
2:3 |
1985 |
Official, subordinate to UK flag
(British crown dependency) |
·
Red cross of St George: ties to England; British Crown dependency
status
· Gold cross of William the Conqueror: added to differentiate
from English flag |
|
Guinea |
2:3 |
10 Nov. 1958 |
National and Civil |
·
From France's flag, but using Pan-African colours
· Red: people's sacrifice
· Yellow: sun and earth's riches
· Green: vegetation |
|
Guinea-Bissau |
1:2 |
24 Sept. 1973 |
National and Civil |
·
Black star: unity of Africa
· Yellow: sun
· Green: hope
· Red: blood shed for independence |
|
Guyana |
3:5 |
20 May 1966 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: dynamism, sacrifice and zeal for reform
· Yellow: mineral wealth
· Green: forests and fields
· Golden arrow: bright future
· White: rivers
· Black: perseverance |
|
Haiti |
3:5 |
18 May 1803 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue and red (French flag): union of blacks and mulattoes
· National coat of arms |
|
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
1:2 |
1947 |
As in Australia
(Territory of Australia) |
[See Australia] |
|
Honduras |
1:2 |
16 Feb. 1866 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue bands: Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
· White band: land between the two bodies of waters, and
peace and prosperity
· Five stars: original members of Federal Republic of Central
America
(Based on flag of Federal Republic of Central America) |
|
Hong Kong |
2:3 |
1997 |
Official, subordinate to China flag
(Region of China) |
·
Red: motherland of China
· Bauhinia flower: national emblem
· Stars: linked to flag of China |
|
Hungary |
2:3 |
1 Oct. 1957 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: strength; or, blood spilt defending the land
· White: faithfulness; or, freedom
· Green: hope; or, the pasturelands
· Colours from national arms, design from French Revolution
flag |
|
Iceland |
18:25 |
19 June 1915 |
National and Civil |
·
White: snow and ice fields
· Blue: Atlantic Ocean
· Red: volcanic fires |
|
India |
2:3 |
22 July 1947 |
National |
·
Orange: courage, sacrifice, spirit of renunciation
· White: peace, purity, truth
· Green: faith, fertility, chivalry
· Blue: sky and ocean
· Chakra: wheel of life in movement, death in stagnation |
|
Indonesia |
2:3 |
17 Aug. 1945 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: the body; or, courage
· White: the soul; or, purity
(From the banner of Majapahit Empire) |
|
Iran |
4:7 |
29 July 1980 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Islam, growth
· White: honesty, peace
· Red: bravery, martyrdom
· Word 'Allah' shaped as a tulip, symbol of martyrdom
· Arabic script 'Allah Akbar' repeated eleven times on green
and red band |
|
Iraq |
2:3 |
19 Feb. 2008 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: triumphs of Islam; or, oppression
· Red: courage; or, overcoming oppression through bloody
struggle
· White: generosity; or, bright future
· Green: Islam
· Arabic script 'Allah Akbar'
(Band colours from Arab Liberation flag) |
|
Ireland |
1:2 |
21 Jan. 1919 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Catholic people or Irish nationalists (Gaelic)
· Orange: Protestant people or Orange tradition (supporters
of William of Orange)
· White: union/truce between the two
(Colours have no official meaning) |
|
Isle of Man |
1:2 |
1966 |
Official, subordinate to UK flag (British crown dependency) |
·
Triskelion
(Based on the arms of last known Norse King of Mann) |
|
Israel |
8:11 |
28 Oct. 1948 |
National |
·
Blue and white: Jewish prayer shawl colours
· Shield of David |
|
Italy |
2:3 |
18 June 1946 |
National |
·
Red and white: Milan
· Green: Milanese civic guard uniform colour
(Inspired by the French flag through Napoleon) |
|
Jamaica |
1:2 |
6 Aug. 1962 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: hope, vegetation, agriculture
· Yellow: sunshine
· Black: hardships
(Pan-African colours) |
|
Jan Mayen |
8:11 |
1929 |
As in Norway
(Territory of Norway) |
[See Norway] |
|
Japan |
7:10 |
27 Jan. 1870 |
National and Civil |
·
Red disc: the Lucky Sun
· White: honesty and purity |
|
Jersey |
3:5 |
7 Apr. 1981 |
Official, subordinate to UK flag (British crown dependency) |
·
Red diagonal cross on white: saltire of St Patrick
· Shield of England: used historically in Jersey as island's
emblem
· yellow crown of Plantagenet: possibly island's loyalty
to that dynasty |
|
Jordan |
1:2 |
16 Apr. 1928 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: Abbassid Caliphate
· White: Ummayyad Caliphate
· Green: Fatimid Caliphate
· Red triangle: 1916 Great Arab Revolt
· Seven-pointed star: seven opening verses of the Koran
(Pan-Arab colours) |
|
Kazakhstan |
1:2 |
4 June 1992 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: endless sky; water; cultural and ethnic unity
· Sun: wealth and plenitude
· Sun rays in form of grains: abundance and prosperity
· Steppe eagle: freedom, power, flight to the future
· Traditional national ornamental pattern 'koshkar-muiz' |
|
Kenya |
2:3 |
12 Dec. 1963 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: majority population
· Red: blood shed in freedom struggle
· Green: natural wealth
· White: peace
· Maasai warrior shield and crossed spears: defence of freedom
(Black, red, green bands from KANU party flag) |
|
Kiribati |
1:2 |
12 July 1979 |
National and Civil |
·
Frigate bird: authority, freedom, command of the sea
· Wavy stripes: Pacific Ocean
· White stripes: three island groups - Gilbert, Line, Phoenix
Islands
· Seventeen sun rays: 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba |
|
Kosovo |
2:3 |
18 Feb. 2008 |
National and Civil |
·
Stars: six major ethnic groups (Albanians, Serbs, Turks,
Gorani, Roma, Bosniaks)
· Blue and yellow: EU
· Nation's map |
|
Kuwait |
1:2 |
7 Sept. 1961 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: defeat of the enemy
· Green: fertile fields
· Red: blood of the enemy
· White: purity
(Pan-Arab colours) |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
3:5 |
3 Mar. 1992 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: bravery, valour, Manas the Noble (national hero)
· Sun: peace and wealth
· Sun rays: nation's forty tribes
· Kyrgyz yurt's tunduk in the centre |
|
Laos |
2:3 |
2 Dec. 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: wealth, prosperity, Mekong River
· Red: blood spilt in struggle for freedom
· White disc: unity under People's Revolutionary Party,
bright future, full moon |
|
Latvia |
1:2 |
27 Feb. 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: willingness to defend liberty, bled shed by wounded
leader (legendary)
· White: sheet used to wrap wounded leader (legendary)
(In use by Latvian tribes c. 1280) |
|
Lebanon |
2:3 |
7 Dec. 1943 |
National |
·
Red: self-sacrifice, blood shed for liberation
· White: peace, purity, snow on mountains
· Cedar tree: holiness, eternity, strength, steadiness,
happiness, prosperity |
|
Lesotho |
2:3 |
4 Oct. 2006 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: water, rain
· White: peace
· Green: plenty, prosperity
· Mokorotlo (Basotho hat): indigenous people |
|
Liberia |
10:19 |
26 July 1847 |
National and Civil |
·
Stripes: eleven Liberian Declaration of Independence signatories
· Square: African mainland
· Star: freedom granted to the ex-slaves
· Blue: liberty, justice, fidelity
· White: purity, cleanliness, guilelessness
· Red: steadfastness, valour, fervour
(Based on US flag) |
|
Libya |
1:2 |
27 Feb. 2011 |
National |
·
Red: Fezzan region
· Black: Cyrenaica region
· Green: Tripolitania region
· Crescent and star: Islam |
|
Liechtenstein |
3:5 |
24 June 1937 |
National and Civil |
·
Crown: principality
· Blue and red: possibly from livery design used in the
royal household |
|
Lithuania |
3:5 |
20 Mar. 1989 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: forests, freedom, hope
· Yellow: wheat, sun, light, goodness, freedom from want
· Red: patriotism, courage, blood spilt in defence on the
homeland |
|
Luxembourg |
3.5 |
1848 |
National |
·
Colours from the grand duke's coat of arms, from the thirteenth
century |
|
Macau |
2:3 |
1999 |
Official, subordinate to China flag
(Region of China) |
·
Lotus flower: region's floral emblem
· Three petals: region's peninsula and two islands
· Stars: linked to flag of China |
|
Madagascar |
2:3 |
14 Oct. 1958 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: sovereignty
· Green: hope; Hova (former peasant class)
· White: purity
(Red and white originally colours of Merina Kingdom) |
|
Malawi |
2:3 |
6 July 1964 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: nation's African heritage
· Red: blood shed for freedom
· Green: land, nature
· Rising sun: new dawn, hope for freedom for Africa
(Colours from Malawi Congress Party) |
|
Malaysia |
1:2 |
16 Sept. 1963 |
National and Civil |
·
Crescent and star: Islam
· Fourteen star points: unity between the states and federal
government of the federation
· Red and white stripes: equal status of the thirteen states
and the federal government of the federation
· Blue: unity of the people
· Yellow: royal colour of Malay rulers |
|
Maldives |
2:3 |
26 July 1965 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: peace, prosperity
· Red: blood shed in independence struggle
· Crescent: Islam |
|
Mali |
2:3 |
1 Mar. 1961 |
National and Civil |
·
Modelled on France's flag using Pan-African colours |
|
Malta |
2:3 |
21 Sept. 1964 |
National |
·
George Cross: awarded to the people of Malta in 1942 by
George VI of Britain for bravery and gallantry in World
War II
· Red and white: from badge of Knights of Malta; or, from
the banner of Count Roger of Sicily, 1091 |
|
Marshall Islands |
10:19 |
1 May 1979 |
National and Civil |
·
Star: Cross of Christianity; or, nation's position to the
north
· 24 star rays: nation's 24 electoral districts
· Four larger star rays: cultural centres Majuro, Jaluit,
Wotje, Ebeye
· Orange stripe: Ralik Chain of islands, sunset, courage
· White stripe: Ratak Chain of islands, sunrise, peace
· Both stripes: the equator
· Blue: Pacific Ocean |
|
Martinique |
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France
(Overseas dept of France) |
[See France] |
|
Martinique |
2:3 |
1766 |
Unofficial |
·
Four coiled fer-de-lances: native to the island |
|
Mauritania |
2:3 |
1 Apr. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Islam
· Gold: sands of the Sahara
· Crescent and star of Islam |
|
Mauritius |
2:3 |
9 Jan. 1968 |
National |
·
Red: independence, self-determination
· Yellow: bright future, new light of independence, golden
sunshine
· Blue: Indian Ocean
· Green: vegetation, agriculture |
|
Mayotte |
2:3 |
1843 |
As in France
(Overseas dept of France) |
[See France] |
|
Mayotte |
2:3 |
1843 |
Unofficial |
|
|
Mexico |
4:7 |
2 Nov. 1821 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: hardiness, bravery, strength, valour
· White: peace, honesty
· Green: hope, joy, love
· National coat of arms
(Modelled on French flag) |
|
Federated States of Micronesia |
10:19 |
30 Nov. 1978 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: Pacific Ocean
· Stars: nation's four islands (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei,
Yap) |
|
Moldova |
1:2 |
12 May 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
Colours: links with Romania
· National coat of arms |
|
Monaco |
4:5 |
4 Apr. 1881 |
National and Civil |
·
Heraldic colours of the ruling Grimaldi family in use since
1339 |
|
Mongolia |
1:2 |
12 Feb. 1992 |
Civil and State |
·
Soyonbo national emblem: cultural and religious philosophical
principles (fire, sun, moon, earth, water, yin-yang)
· Red: progress, prosperity (originally communism)
· Sky blue: sky, nation's traditional colour |
|
Montenegro |
1:2 |
13 July 2004 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms |
|
Montserrat |
1:2 |
1962 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Territory's coat of arms |
|
Morocco |
2:3 |
17 Nov. 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: descendant of royal family from Prophet Muhammad
· Seal of Solomon: five pillars of Islam, association between
God and the nation |
|
Mozambique |
2:3 |
1 May 1983 |
National and Civil |
·
National emblem
· Red: struggle for independence
· Green: land's riches
· Black: African continent
· Yellow: land's minerals
· White: peace
(Colours from Frente da Libertação da Moçambique
party flag) |
|
Myanmar/
Burma |
2:3 |
21 Oct. 2010 |
|
·
Triband colours used from 1943-45 during Japanese occupation |
|
Namibia |
2:3 |
21 Mar. 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: heroism of the people and determination for equal opportunity
· White: peace, unity, tranquillity, harmony
· Blue: sky, Atlantic Ocean, water resources, rain
· Green: vegetation, agricultural resources
· Sun: life, energy, power, existence
(Blue, red green: South West African People's Organisation
party colours; red, white, blue: Democratic Turnhalle Alliance
party colours) |
|
Nauru |
1:2 |
31 1968 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: skies, Pacific Ocean
· Gold stripe: Equator
· Star: nation's location in relation to Equator
· Twelve star points: nation's original tribes |
|
Navassa Island |
10:19 |
1857 |
As in the USA
(Territory of USA) |
[See USA] |
|
Nepal |
4:3 |
16 Dec1962 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue border: peace, harmony
· Red: from rhododendron, national flower; victory, bravery
· Upper charge: nation's royal house; Hinduism
· Lower charge: Rana family; Buddhism
· Moon: serenity of the people, shade, cool weather
· Sun: heat, nation's higher temperatures
· Two triangles: Himalaya Mountains |
|
Netherlands |
2:3 |
19 Feb. 1937 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue and white: originally, faith in God
· Based on the livery of William I, Prince of Orange (16th
century), who used orange instead of red |
|
New Caledonia |
2:3 |
1853 |
As in France
(Collectivity of France) |
[See France] |
|
New Caledonia |
1:2 |
July 2010 |
Official (Kanak flag) |
|
|
New Zealand |
1:2 |
12 June 1902 |
National |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Fours stars: Southern Cross constellation |
|
Nicaragua |
3:5 |
4 Sept. 1908 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea
· White: land between the two bodies of waters
· National arms
(Based on flag of Federal Republic of Central America) |
|
Niger |
2:3 |
23 Nov. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Orange: Sahara region
· White: purity, innocence
· Green: hope, fertile and productive southwest along the
Niger River
· Disc: sun, people's sacrifice |
|
Nigeria |
1:2 |
1 Oct. 1960 |
National |
·
White: Peace, unity
· Green: forests, natural wealth |
|
Niue |
1:2 |
Oct. 1975 |
Official
(Association with NZ) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Four small stars: New Zealand
· Large star: Niue
· Yellow: sunshine and friendship between Niue and New Zealand |
|
Norfolk Island |
1:2 |
1980 |
Official
(Territory of Australia) |
·
Green: vegetation
· Pine tree: island's symbol |
|
Northern Mariana Islands |
1:2 |
1976 |
Official
(Commonwealth in union with USA) |
·
Blue: Pacific Ocean
· Star: Commonwealth
· Latte stone, head wreath: native Chamorro culture |
|
North Korea |
1:2 |
9 Sept. 1948 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sovereignty, peace, friendship
· White: purity, strength, dignity
· Red: revolutionary traditions
· Star: socialism |
|
North
Macedonia |
1:2 |
5 Oct. 1995 |
National and Civil |
·
Sun of Liberty
· Red and yellow: traditional national colours |
|
Norway |
8:11 |
17 July 1821 |
National and Civil |
·
Colours: nation's past political unions with Denmark (red
and white), Sweden (blue); also influenced by French flag |
|
Oman |
1:2 |
25 Apr. 1995 |
National and Civil |
·
National emblem
· White: Imam of Oman, peace, prosperity
· Red: battles against foreign invaders
· Green: Jebel Akhdar, fertility |
|
Pakistan |
2:3 |
14 Aug. 1947 |
National |
·
White strip: non-Muslims, other minority groups
· Star: light, knowledge
· Crescent: progress
· Green: symbol of Islam |
|
Palau |
5:8 |
1 Jan. 1981 |
National and Civil |
·
Full moon: peace, love, tranquillity, ideal time for celebrations
and harvesting
· Blue: freedom, self-rule, ocean |
|
Panama |
2:3 |
3 Nov. 1903 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: Conservative party
· Red: Liberals party
· White: peace between the two parties
· Blue star: civic virtues of purity and honesty
· Red star: authority, law
(Inspired by US flag) |
|
Papua New Guinea |
3:4 |
24 June 1971 |
National and Civil |
·
Five stars: Southern Cross constellation - connection to
South Pacific countries; local 'five sisters' legend
· Bird of paradise: emblem of regional tribe culture; emergence
as a nation
· Red, black, yellow: traditional colours |
|
Paraguay |
1:2 |
25 Nov. 1842 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: bravery, patriotism
· White: integrity, peace
· Blue: liberty, generosity
· National coat of arms (obverse)
· Treasury Seal (reverse)
(Based on French flag) |
|
Peru |
2:3 |
25 Feb. 1825 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Red: blood spilt for independence
· White: peace |
|
Philippines |
1:2 |
19 May 1898 |
National and Civil |
·
Sun rays: eight provinces that revolted against Spanish
rule
· Stars: nation's three main geographical divisions - Luzon,
the Visayas, Mindanao
· White triangle: equality
· Blue: peace, justice, patriotism
· Red: bravery |
|
Pitcairn Islands |
1:2 |
1984 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· island's coat of arms |
|
Poland |
5:8 |
1 Aug. 1919 |
National |
·
White: desire for peace
· Red: socialism
(From 13th century Polish arms) |
|
Portugal |
2:3 |
30 June 1911 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Red: revolution, blood spilt through defending the nation
· Green: explorer King Henry the Navigator; or, hope |
|
Puerto Rico |
2:3 |
1952 |
Official
(Territory of USA) |
·
Star: Puerto Rico
· Three sides of triangle: executive, legislative and judicial
government areas
· Blue: sky, coastal waters
· Red: blood shed by warriors
· White: liberty, victory, peace |
|
Qatar |
11:28 |
c.1949 |
National and Civil |
·
Maroon: blood shed in Qatari wars
· White: peace
· Points on serrated edge: nation as ninth member of the
'reconciled emirates' of Qatari-British treaty, 1916 |
|
Réunion |
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France
(Overseas dept of France) |
[See France] |
|
Réunion |
3:5 |
1794 |
Unofficial |
|
|
Romania |
2:3 |
27 Dec. 1989 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: Moldova
· Yellow: Wallachia
· Red: Romanian unity
(Based of French flag) |
|
Russia |
2:3 |
22 Aug. 1991 |
National and Civil |
·
Based on Dutch flag adopted by Peter the Great for merchant
ships
· Red: shield of Grand Principality of Moscow
· Blue: cloak of St George
· White: horse of St George
(Originator of the Pan-Slav colours) |
|
Rwanda |
1:2 |
31 Dec. 2001 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: happiness and peace
· Yellow: economic growth, mineral wealth
· Green: future prosperity, natural resources
· Sun: unity, enlightenment, transparency from ignorance |
|
Saint Barthélemy |
2:3 |
1877 |
As in France
(Collectivity of France) |
[See France] |
|
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
1:2 |
a) 1877
b) 11 May 2013
c) 20 Oct. 2002 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Island's coat of arms |
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
2:3 |
19 Sept. 1983
|
National and Civil |
·
Green: fertile land
· Red: struggle from slavery
· Yellow: sunny climate
· Black: African heritage
· Stars: nation's two islands, hope and liberty; or, independence
and optimism |
|
Saint Lucia
|
1:2
|
1 Mar. 1967 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sea, sky
· White and black: island's racial composition
· Gold: sunshine, prosperity
· Two larger triangles: the Pitons |
|
Saint Martin
|
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France
(Collectivity of France) |
[See France] |
|
Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
2:3 |
1794 |
As in France
(Collectivity of France) |
·
Three heraldic arms: colonists from Basque Country (top),
Brittany (middle), Normandy (bottom)
· Blue of main part: Atlantic Ocean
· Ship: the Grande Hermine |
|
Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
2:3 |
1794
|
Unofficial |
·
Three heraldic arms: colonists from Basque Country (top),
Brittany (middle), Normandy (bottom)
· Blue of main part: Atlantic Ocean
· Ship: the Grande Hermine |
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
2:3 |
12 Oct. 1985 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sky, waters
· Yellow: sunshine; or, sands
· Green: vegetation
· Diamonds: 'Gems of the Antilles' islands
· Diamonds' V-shape: Vincent |
|
Samoa |
1:2 |
1 Jan. 1962 |
National and Civil |
·
Stars: Southern Cross constellation
· Red: courage
· Blue: freedom
· White: purity |
|
San Marino |
4:5 |
6 April 1862 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· White: peace, Mount Titano with clouds
· Blue: liberty, sky |
|
São Tomé and
Príncipe |
1:2 |
5 Nov. 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: struggle for independence
· Green: vegetation
· Yellow: cocoa
· Stars: nations two islands
(Pan-African colours) |
|
Saudi Arabia |
2:3 |
15 Mar. 1973 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Islam
· Shahada inscription 'There is no god but God; Muhammad
is the prophet of God'
· Sabre: the militancy and their faith |
|
Senegal |
2:3 |
Sept. 1960 |
National and Civil |
·
Star: unity, hope
· Green: Islam, progress, hope
· Yellow: natural wealth, progress
· Red: sacrifice, determination
(Pan-African colours) |
|
Serbia |
1:2 |
5 June 2006 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Red, blue, white: freedom, revolutionary ideals
(Pan-Slav colours) |
|
Seychelles |
1:2 |
8 Jan. 1996 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sky, sea
· Yellow: sun giving light and life
· Red: determination to work for the future in unity and
love
· White: social justice, harmony
· Green: land, natural environment
· Blue, yellow: Democratic Party
· Red, White, green: Seychelles People's United Party
· Five bands: dynamic new country moving into the future |
|
Sierra Leone |
2:3 |
27 Apr. 1961 |
National and Civil |
·
White: unity, justice
· Green: agriculture, mountains, natural resources
· Blue: sea, natural harbour at Freetown |
|
Singapore |
2:3 |
3 Dec. 1959 |
National and Civil |
·
Crescent: new nation
· Five stars: peace, democracy, progress, justice, equality
· Red: universal brotherhood, equality
· White: people's purity and virtue |
|
Sint Maarten |
2:3 |
10 Oct. 2010 |
Official
(Country of Netherlands) |
·
Country's coat of arm
· Colours from Dutch flag |
|
Slovakia |
2:3 |
1 Sept. 1992 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Pan-Slav colours |
|
Slovenia |
1:2 |
24 June 1991 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Colours: from mediaeval coat of arms of Duchy of Carniola;
also Pan-Slav |
|
Solomon Islands |
1:2 |
18 Nov. 1977 |
National and Civil |
·
Stars: five main island groups
· Green: land
· Yellow: sunshine |
|
Somalia |
2:3 |
12 Oct. 1954 |
National and Civil |
·
Star: unity
· Star's points: five regions of Somalis, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Djibouti, former British and Italian colonies
· Blue: sky, Indian Ocean (originally, from UN flag) |
|
South Africa |
2:3 |
27 Apr. 1994 |
National and Civil |
·
Overall design: convergence, unity
· Yellow, black, green: from African National Congress flag
· Red, white, blue: from flags of Boer republics
(Colours have no official symbolism) |
|
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands |
1:2 |
1985 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Territory's coat of arms |
|
South Korea |
2:3 |
8 Sept. 1948 |
National and Civil |
·
Top left trigram: heaven
· Top right trigram: water
· Button right trigram: earth
· Button left trigram: fire
· Yin-yang: harmony, union of opposites (blue: negative
cosmic forces of yin; red: opposite positive forces of yang)
· White: peace and purity |
|
South Sudan |
1:2 |
9 July 2011 |
National |
·
Black: the people
· Red: blood shed for freedom
· Green: the land
· Blue: waters of the Nile
· Star: unity of the nation's states |
|
Spain |
2:3 |
19 July 1927 |
National and Civil |
·
Red, yellow: related to older kingdoms of Aragon, Castile,
Leon, Navarre
· National coat of arms |
|
Sri Lanka |
1:2 |
17 Dec. 1978 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: Sri Lankan Moors
· Orange: Sri Lankan Tamils
· Lion: Sinhalese ethnicity, national strength, bravery
· Sword: national sovereignty
· Buddhist bo leaves: kindness, friendliness, happiness,
equanimity
· Red: European Burghers, nation's colonial background
· Yellow: other ethnic groups |
|
Sudan |
1:2 |
20 May 1970 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: struggle for freedom
· Green: Islam, prosperity, agriculture
· Black: dark, pre-Islamic past; or, the nation
· White: purity, peace, optimism, love, ligh (Pan-Arab colours) |
|
Suriname |
2:3 |
25 Nov. 1975 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: progress, love
· Green: hope, fertility
· White: peace, justice, freedom
· Star: unity, hope
· Yellow: golden future
(Green and red were: political parties' colours at independence) |
|
Svalbard |
8:11 |
1920 |
As in Norway
(Territory of Norway) |
[See Norway] |
|
Sweden |
5:8 |
22 June 1906 |
National and Civil |
·
Yellow, blue: from national arms
· Scandinavian Cross: from Danish flag |
|
Switzerland |
1:1 |
12 Dec. 1889 |
National and Civil |
·
Based on canton Schwyz flag |
|
Syria |
2:3 |
29 Mar. 1980 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: oppression
· Red: bloody struggle
· White: bright future
· Stars: Syria and Egypt
(Band colours from Arab Liberation flag) |
|
Taiwan |
2:3 |
28 Oct. 1928 |
Official
(Republic of China) |
·
Sun: progress
· Sunrays: twelve months, twelve traditional Chinese hours
(two hours each)
· Blue: liberty, justice, democracy
· Red: fraternity, sacrifice, nationalism; Han Chinese ethnicity
· White: equality, frankness, people's livelihood |
|
Tajikistan |
1:2 |
24 Nov. 1992 |
National and Civil |
·
Crown: the people, state sovereignty
· Seven stars: nation's 'magic number' seven
· Red: sun, victory, unity
· White: cotton, purity, mountain snows
· Green: Islam, farm produce |
|
Tanzania |
2:3 |
30 June 1964 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: vegetation
· Black: Swahili people
· Yellow: gold deposits
· Blue: lakes, rivers, Indian Ocean
(Colours from flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar) |
|
Thailand |
2:3 |
28 Sept. 1917 |
National and Civil |
·
Red: the nation, life-blood
· Blue: monarchy
· White: purity of Buddhism |
|
Togo |
2:3 |
27 Apr. 1960 |
National and Civil |
·
Star: life, peace, dignity, nation's independence; or, star
of hope
· Square: people's loyalty and patriotism
· Five bands: nation's regions
· Red: blood shed during independence struggle
· Green: agricultural wealth, hope, fertility
· Yellow: mineral wealth, prosperity through faith and hard
work
(Pan-African colours) |
|
Tokelau |
1:2 |
7 Sept. 2009 |
Official
(Territory of New Zealand) |
·
Tokelauan canoe: nation moving to the future
· Southern Cross: Christianity's role
· Yellow: happiness, peace
· Blue: ocean |
|
Tonga |
1:2 |
4 Nov. 1875 |
National and Civil |
·
Cross: Christianity
· White: purity
· Red: blood of Jesus |
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
3:5 |
31 Aug. 1962 |
National and Civil |
·
White: sea, purity, equality
· Red: land's vitality, people's courage and friendliness,
sun's warmth and energy
· Black: land's wealth, people's strength and dedication |
|
Tunisia |
2:3 |
1835 |
National and Civil |
·
Star and crescent: Islam
· Red: blood shed by martyrs in oppression struggle
· White: peace
(Based on Turkish flag) |
|
Turkey |
2:3 |
5 June 1936 |
National and Civil |
·
Star and crescent: Islam
· Red, white: moon and star reflected in pool of blood of
Turkish warriors (according to legend)
(Based on Ottoman flag) |
|
Turkmenistan |
2:3 |
19 Feb. 1997 |
National and Civil |
·
Ornamentation: five tribal guls
· Olive branch
· Crescent: Islam
· Stars: five Turkmen regions
· Green: Islam |
|
Turks and Caicos Islands
|
1:2 |
1968 |
Official
(Territory of UK) |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· conch shell, spiny lobster, cactus: elements of island's
biota |
|
Tuvalu |
1:2 |
1 Oct. 1978 |
National and Civil |
·
Union Flag: British ties
· Stars: nine atolls |
|
Uganda |
2:3 |
9 Oct. 1962 |
National and Civil |
·
National crest
· Black: people
· Yellow: sunshine, vitality
· Red: African brotherhood
(Colours from Uganda People's Congress flag) |
|
Ukraine |
2:3 |
4 Sept. 1991 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: sky
· Yellow: grain fields |
|
United Arab Emirates |
1:2 |
2 Dec. 1971 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: trees, fertility
· White: neutrality
· Black: petroleum resources
· Red: unity
(Pan-Arab colours) |
|
United Kingdom |
1:2 |
1 Jan. 1801 |
National and Civil |
·
Red cross: St George's cross, patron saint of England
· Red saltire: St Patrick's cross, patron saint of Ireland
· White saltire on blue field: St Andrew's cross, patron
saint of Scotland
· White fimbriations on St George's cross and St Andrew's
saltire added to adhere to heraldic rules of tincture |
|
United States of America |
10:19 |
4 July 1960 |
National and Civil |
·
Blue: loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, friendship
· Red: courage, zeal, fervency
· White: purity, rectitude of conduct
· Stars: fifty states
· Stripes: original 13 original colonies |
|
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges |
10:19 |
1935 |
As in the USA
(Territory of USA) |
[See USA] |
|
Uruguay |
2:3 |
11 July 1830 |
National and Civil |
·
Sun of May: appeared during 25 May 1810 independence declaration
· Stripes: nine original departments
(Based of Argentinian flag) |
|
Uzbekistan |
1:2 |
18 Nov. 1991 |
National and Civil |
·
Crescent: new republic, Islam
· Twelve stars: months and stars of Uzbek calendar
· Blue: sky, water, Turkic people's colour
· White: peace, purity
· Green: nature, fertility, Islam
· Red: life-force of living organisms |
|
Vanuatu |
3:5 |
18 Feb. 1980 |
National and Civil |
·
Boar's tusk: prosperity
· Fern leaves: peace
· Fern leaf fronds: 39 members of legislative assembly
· Red: blood of boars and men
· Green: islands' richness
· Black: ni-Vanuatu people
· Yellow: sunshine
· Y-shape: archipelago's pattern, Gospel's light spreading
through islands |
|
Vatican |
1:1 |
7 June 1979 |
Civil |
·
Holy See's arms
· Gold: Pope's spiritual power
· White: Pope's worldly power |
|
Venezuela |
2:3 |
10 Mar. 2006 |
National and Civil |
·
National coat of arms
· Stars: eight provinces supporting independence
· Red: blood shed for independence
· Blue: people's courage, independence from Spain
· Yellow: land's richness
(Original colours of Gran Colombia flag) |
|
Vietnam |
2:3 |
30 Nov. 1955 |
National and Civil |
·
Five-pointed star: groups united for building socialism
(peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, soldiers)
· Red: bloodshed, revolution |
|
Virgin Islands |
2:3 |
1921 |
Official
(Territory of USA) |
·
White: purity
· Modified US seal
· Islands' initials
· Arrows: three main islands |
|
Wake Island |
10:19 |
1899 |
As in the USA
(Territory of USA) |
[See USA] |
|
Wallis and Futuna |
2:3 |
1888 |
As in France
(Territory of France) |
[See France] |
|
Wallis and Futuna |
2:3 |
1888 |
Unofficial |
·
French flag: French ties
· Four triangles: three native kings, one French administrator |
|
Yemen |
2:3 |
22 May 1990 |
National and Civil |
·
Black: oppression
· Red: bloody struggle
· White: bright future
(Colours from Arab Liberation flag) |
|
Zambia |
2:3 |
24 Oct. 1964 |
National and Civil |
·
Green: natural resources, vegetation
· Orange: mineral wealth
· Black: native people
· Red: struggle for independence
· Eagle: ability to rise above problems |
|
Zimbabwe |
1:2 |
18 Apr. 1980 |
National and Civil |
·
National bird: nation's history
· Star: peace
· Green: agriculture
· Yellow: mineral wealth
· Red: blood shed for independence
· Black: native people
(Green, yellow, black, red - Pan-African colours and of
Zimbabwe African People's Union) |
 |
Sources
Ascension
Island, 2013. First Ever Ascension Flag to fly.
Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2007.
Washington D.C.: Potomac Books, 2007.
Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2013.
New York : Skyhorse Pub., 2013.
Complete
Flags of the World, rev. 5th edn. London, etc.: Dorling
Kindersley Ltd, 2008.
William G. Crampton. Observer Flags. London: Bloomsbury,
1992.
Encyclopaedia
Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2012.
Bonnie Malkin. New Caledonia adopts second flag in compromise
over French rule. The Telegraph. 20 July 2010
Roy Norman Pedersen. One Europe: 100 Nations. Clevedon,
Avon, England: Channel View Books, 1992.
Radio
New Zealand International, 2009. Tokelau leaders presented
with their new flag in Wellington.
R.A.P.,
2010. Le Conseil général adopte le drapeau
guyanais. Portail de la ville de Saint-Laurent du Maroni.
The
Tristan da Cunha Website, 2005. The Flag of Tristan
da Cunha.
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