THE UNIVERSAL COMPENDIUM

 

 


Flags of the World

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

National and Civil

· 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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