National Flags
🏳️ National Flags Database: Comprehensive collection of official national flags, flag colors, flag meanings and symbolism for 195+ sovereign nations worldwide. Discover flag history, designer information, Pantone color codes and fascinating flag facts. Essential reference for vexillology enthusiasts, designers, educators and anyone interested in flag symbolism. Browse flags by continents: Africa | Asia | Europe | Americas | Oceania.
📄 Page 7 of 10Showing 151 - 175 of 245 flags
🎨 Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and blue
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Colors derived from Prince of Orange coat of arms; Red replaced original orange due to visibility at sea; represents courage, peace, and loyalty
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - tricolor pattern
Colors represent historical connection to House of Orange and Dutch maritime heritage
💡 Interesting Fact
One of the oldest tricolor flags still in use; the original orange color faded to red in sunlight, leading to red becoming official; influenced many other flags including France and Russia
🕰️ Historical Versions
Prince's Flag with orange instead of red (16th-17th centuries)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
One of oldest national flags in continuous use; blue must be cobalt not light blue (distinguishing from Luxembourg)
🎨 Flag Description
Blue, red, green horizontal stripes with yellow disc and black Kanak symbol
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueRedGreenYellowBlack
Blue represents sky and ocean; Red represents blood and unity; Green represents land; Yellow represents sun
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Flèche faîtière (rooftop spear)
Traditional Kanak symbol representing customary chieftainship
💡 Interesting Fact
Flies alongside French flag; represents indigenous Kanak culture and independence movement
🕰️ Historical Versions
Uses French flag officially; this flag for cultural events
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
French overseas collectivity; used alongside French flag
🎨 Flag Description
Blue field with Union Jack in upper hoist quarter and four red stars with white borders forming the Southern Cross constellation
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueRedWhite
Blue represents the Pacific Ocean and sky; Union Jack represents British heritage; Red stars represent Southern Cross constellation
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Union Jack in canton; four red five-pointed stars with white borders representing Southern Cross
Union Jack shows British heritage and Commonwealth membership; Southern Cross represents New Zealand's location in South Pacific
💡 Interesting Fact
In 2015-2016, New Zealand held two referendums on changing the flag; the current design won with 56.6% choosing to keep it; similar to Australian flag but with red stars instead of white
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various colonial flags; current design adopted 1902
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Stars represent Southern Cross visible in Southern Hemisphere
🎨 Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of blue, white (double width), and blue with the Nicaraguan coat of arms centered in the white band
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueWhite
Blue represents the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; White represents peace, purity, and integrity
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Coat of arms featuring triangle, rainbow, Phrygian cap, and "REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA"
Triangle represents equality; rainbow represents hope; Phrygian cap represents freedom; five volcanoes represent Central American union
💡 Interesting Fact
One of five Central American flags based on the former Federal Republic of Central America flag (1823-1838); only one to use a different shade of blue
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various versions since 1823; coat of arms modified in 1971
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Coat of arms must be present on state flags; civil flags omit it
🎨 Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of orange, white, and green with an orange circle centered in the white band
🌈 Colors & Meanings
OrangeWhiteGreen
Orange represents the Sahara Desert in the north; White represents purity and the Niger River; Green represents hope and the fertile regions in the south
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Orange circle in center of white band
Orange circle represents the sun and independence
💡 Interesting Fact
The flag design symbolizes the geographic and cultural diversity of Niger: Sahara Desert (north), Niger River (center), and agricultural lands (south)
🕰️ Historical Versions
French colonial flag (until 1959)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Sun disc must be centered in white band
🎨 Flag Description
Three equal vertical bands of green, white, and green
🌈 Colors & Meanings
GreenWhite
Green represents natural wealth, agriculture, and forests; White represents peace and unity
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - tricolor pattern
Simple design represents unity and agricultural wealth
💡 Interesting Fact
Designed by 23-year-old student Taiwo Akinkunmi who won a national competition in 1959; his original design had a red sun in the center but it was removed for simplicity
🕰️ Historical Versions
British colonial flag (until 1960)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Must never touch the ground; flown at half-mast for national mourning
🎨 Flag Description
Yellow field with Union Jack in canton containing four stars and blue disc with star
🌈 Colors & Meanings
YellowBlueWhiteRed
Yellow represents warmth of Niuean people and bright sunshine; Blue represents ocean
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Union Jack in canton, four yellow stars on Union Jack, one large star on blue disc
Union Jack represents ties with New Zealand/Commonwealth; stars represent Niue and New Zealand
💡 Interesting Fact
One of only two countries with Union Jack on yellow field; yellow represents Polynesian heritage
🕰️ Historical Versions
Used New Zealand flag before 1975
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Self-governing in free association with New Zealand
🎨 Flag Description
Vertical triband of green, white, green with Norfolk pine in center
🌈 Colors & Meanings
GreenWhite
Green represents Norfolk Island pine; White represents peace
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Norfolk Island pine tree
Endemic Norfolk Island pine is island symbol
💡 Interesting Fact
The Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is endemic and the island's botanical symbol
🕰️ Historical Versions
Used Australian flag before 1980
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Australian external territory; used alongside Australian flag
🎨 Flag Description
Wide red horizontal stripe between blue stripes with white stripes and red star on white disc
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteRed
Red represents revolutionary spirit; Blue represents sovereignty and peace; White represents purity
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Red five-pointed star on white disc
Star represents communism and revolutionary traditions
💡 Interesting Fact
The flag is called "Ramhongsaek Konghwagukgi" meaning "red-colored flag of the republic"
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various designs during Japanese occupation and post-war
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Strict protocol; disrespect is severely punished
🎨 Flag Description
Red field with yellow sun disc and eight rays extending to edges
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedYellow
Red represents courage; Yellow represents sun and liberty
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
New sun with eight rays
Eight rays represent "new sun of liberty" mentioned in national anthem
💡 Interesting Fact
The Vergina Sun was replaced in 1995 after Greece objected; the new design has eight rays instead of sixteen
🕰️ Historical Versions
Vergina Sun flag used 1992-1995 (changed due to Greek objections)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Official national flag
🎨 Flag Description
Blue field with gray latte stone topped with star and mwarmwar garland
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteGray
Blue represents the Pacific Ocean
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Gray latte stone, white star, mwarmwar (head lei)
Latte stone represents Chamorro culture; star represents Saipan; mwarmwar represents Carolinian culture
💡 Interesting Fact
The latte stone is an ancient Chamorro architectural element unique to the Marianas
🕰️ Historical Versions
Original 1972 flag modified in 1985 and 1989
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
US Commonwealth; flown alongside US flag
🎨 Flag Description
Red field with a blue Scandinavian cross outlined in white, shifted toward the hoist
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Red, white, and blue represent liberty (inspired by French flag); cross represents Christianity and Nordic heritage
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Blue Nordic cross outlined in white on red field
Nordic cross represents Christian heritage shared with other Scandinavian nations; blue and white cross adds Norwegian identity
💡 Interesting Fact
The colors were chosen to combine the colors of Denmark and Sweden (Norway's former rulers) with French revolutionary colors representing freedom
🕰️ Historical Versions
Danish flag used during union; union mark with Sweden (1814-1905)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Nordic cross must be offset toward hoist; flag proportions strictly defined
🎨 Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of white, red, and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side containing the national emblem in white
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteGreen
Red represents battles fought by Oman; White represents peace and prosperity; Green represents the fertility of the land and Green Mountains
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
National emblem (Khanjar dagger and two crossed swords) on upper hoist
Khanjar represents traditional weapon and Omani heritage; crossed swords represent defense of the country
💡 Interesting Fact
The Khanjar (traditional curved dagger) is a symbol of Omani identity and appears on the flag, representing the nation's proud warrior heritage
🕰️ Historical Versions
Plain red flag (historical); various versions with emblem since 1970
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Khanjar and swords must be white on red band
🎨 Flag Description
Dark green field with white crescent and star in center; white vertical band on hoist
🌈 Colors & Meanings
Dark GreenWhite
Dark green represents Muslim majority; White represents religious minorities; together they symbolize unity
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
White crescent and five-pointed star on green field; white vertical stripe on hoist
Crescent represents progress; star represents light and knowledge; together they represent Islam
💡 Interesting Fact
The white stripe was added by Mohammad Ali Jinnah to represent religious minorities and emphasize Pakistan as a multi-religious state
🕰️ Historical Versions
Muslim League flag (all green) before partition
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Must be displayed on all government buildings; improper use is a punishable offense
🎨 Flag Description
Light blue field with a large yellow disc (representing the moon) slightly off-center toward the hoist
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueYellow (Gold)
Blue represents the Pacific Ocean; Yellow represents the moon which is important in Palauan culture
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Yellow disc (full moon) slightly off-center
Full moon represents peace, love, and tranquility; position represents Palau's independence and self-determination
💡 Interesting Fact
The moon is off-center to the left (hoist) as a full moon looks more beautiful slightly off-center according to the designer, and represents Palau's unique path
🕰️ Historical Versions
US Trust Territory flag (until 1981)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Moon must be golden yellow and positioned off-center
🎨 Flag Description
Horizontal tricolor of black, white, green with red triangle at hoist
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlackWhiteGreenRed
Black represents Abbasid Caliphate; White represents Umayyad Caliphate; Green represents Fatimid Caliphate; Red represents blood of martyrs
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Red triangle
Pan-Arab colors representing unity and Arab heritage
💡 Interesting Fact
Identical to the flag of the Arab Revolt; represents Palestinian national aspirations
🕰️ Historical Versions
Based on 1916 Arab Revolt flag
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Used by Palestinian Authority and State of Palestine
🎨 Flag Description
Four quarters: white with blue star (upper hoist), red (upper fly), blue (lower hoist), white with red star (lower fly)
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Red represents Liberal party; Blue represents Conservative party; White represents peace; stars represent purity and authority
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Blue star in white upper hoist quarter; red star in white lower fly quarter
Blue star represents civic virtues; red star represents authority and law
💡 Interesting Fact
Designed in 1903 but not officially adopted until 1925; the quarters and stars represent the political compromise between Liberal (red) and Conservative (blue) parties
🕰️ Historical Versions
Colombian flag during union with Colombia (until 1903)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Stars must be five-pointed and properly positioned in white quarters
🎨 Flag Description
Diagonally divided from upper hoist to lower fly: red triangle with yellow bird-of-paradise; black triangle with five white stars forming Southern Cross
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedBlackYellowWhite
Red and black are traditional Papua New Guinean colors; Yellow represents unity and freedom; White represents purity
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Bird-of-paradise in red triangle; five white stars (Southern Cross) in black triangle
Raggiana bird-of-paradise is national symbol representing cultural heritage; Southern Cross represents connection to Australia and South Pacific location
💡 Interesting Fact
Designed by 15-year-old Susan Karike in a national competition; the bird-of-paradise is found only in Papua New Guinea
🕰️ Historical Versions
Australian administration flag (until 1971)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Bird-of-paradise must be golden/yellow; Southern Cross stars must be white
🎨 Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in white band on obverse and treasury seal on reverse
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Red represents courage and patriotism; White represents unity and peace; Blue represents liberty
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
National coat of arms on obverse (front); Treasury seal with lion on reverse (back)
Coat of arms represents independence; Treasury seal represents economic dignity; Paraguay is only country with different designs on each side
💡 Interesting Fact
Paraguay is the only country in the world with a national flag that has different emblems on its obverse and reverse sides
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various versions since 1842; exact emblems modified over time
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Must be manufactured with different symbols on each side; unique among all national flags
🎨 Flag Description
Three equal vertical bands of red, white, and red; state flag includes coat of arms in center white band
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhite
Red represents blood shed for independence; White represents peace, purity and justice
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
National coat of arms on state flag featuring vicuña, quina tree, and cornucopia
Vicuña represents fauna; quina tree represents flora; cornucopia represents mineral wealth
💡 Interesting Fact
Legend says San Martín was inspired by red and white flamingos flying over his army; civil flag omits coat of arms while state flag includes it
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various designs during wars of independence (1820-1825)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Coat of arms appears only on state flag; civil flag is plain triband
🎨 Flag Description
Blue and red horizontal bands with white equilateral triangle at hoist; yellow sun with eight rays and three stars
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueRedWhiteYellow
Blue represents peace, truth and justice; Red represents patriotism and valor (flown on top during war); White represents equality; Yellow represents sovereignty
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
White equilateral triangle with yellow sun (8 rays) and three stars at corners
Sun's 8 rays represent first 8 provinces that revolted; three stars represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
💡 Interesting Fact
Only national flag flown with red on top during wartime; the flag is reversed with red on top during periods of war to symbolize bloodshed
🕰️ Historical Versions
Spanish colonial flag (until 1898)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Red on top during war, blue on top during peace; unique among world flags
🎨 Flag Description
Blue ensign with Union Jack in canton and Pitcairn coat of arms
🌈 Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteRedGreenYellow
Blue represents the Pacific Ocean
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Coat of arms with Bible, anchor, wheelbarrow, and Bounty
Bible and anchor represent mutineers from HMS Bounty; wheelbarrow represents agriculture
💡 Interesting Fact
The coat of arms shows the HMS Bounty Bible and anchor representing the famous 1789 mutiny heritage
🕰️ Historical Versions
Variations used before 1984
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
British overseas territory protocol applies
🎨 Flag Description
Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
🌈 Colors & Meanings
WhiteRed
White represents peace and purity; Red represents courage and blood shed for independence; colors from national emblem
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
No symbols on civil flag; state flag includes coat of arms with white eagle
Colors derived from Polish coat of arms featuring white eagle on red shield
💡 Interesting Fact
Colors come from the coat of arms (white eagle on red field) which dates to the 13th century; similar to Indonesia/Monaco but different proportions
🕰️ Historical Versions
Various historical flags; current simple design adopted 1919
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
State flag includes coat of arms; civil flag is plain bicolor
🎨 Flag Description
Two vertical stripes of green (2/5 width) and red (3/5 width) with coat of arms (armillary sphere and shield) centered on division
🌈 Colors & Meanings
GreenRedYellowBlueWhite
Green represents hope and the House of Braganza; Red represents blood of those who died for the nation; armillary sphere and shield represent exploration and national heritage
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
Armillary sphere and Portuguese shield at intersection of green and red
Armillary sphere represents Portugal's maritime exploration; shield with five blue escutcheons represents five Moorish kings defeated; seven castles represent victories
💡 Interesting Fact
Adopted after 1910 Republican revolution replaced monarchy; green replaced royal blue; armillary sphere honors Prince Henry the Navigator and Age of Discoveries
🕰️ Historical Versions
Royal flag - blue and white (until 1910 revolution)
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
Armillary sphere must be gold; shield must show all castles and escutcheons correctly
🎨 Flag Description
Five alternating red and white stripes with blue triangle and white star at hoist
🌈 Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Red represents blood; White represents victory and peace; Blue represents sea and sky
⭐ Symbols & Design Elements
White star in blue triangle
Star represents the Commonwealth; blue triangle represents republican government
💡 Interesting Fact
Inversely similar to Cuban flag (same design, colors swapped); both designed by independence movements
🕰️ Historical Versions
Designed by exiles in 1895, officially adopted 1952
⚖️ Flag Protocol & Usage
US territory; flown alongside US flag with equal prominence locally
🏳️ Understanding National Flags: A Complete Guide
📋 What are National Flags?
National flags are official symbols of sovereignty and national identity used by countries worldwide. Each flag's colors, symbols and design patterns have been carefully chosen to represent a nation's history, values, culture and aspirations. The study of flags is called vexillology, from the Latin word vexillum (flag).
🎨 Common Flag Elements
- Colors: Red (bravery/bloodshed), Blue (freedom/water), Green (land/Islam/hope), Yellow/Gold (wealth/sun), White (peace/purity), Black (determination/ethnicity)
- Symbols: Stars (states/provinces), Crosses (Christianity), Crescents (Islam), Suns (independence), Animals (national character), Plants (agriculture/nature)
- Patterns: Horizontal/vertical stripes, crosses, diagonal divisions, cantons (rectangular corner section)
- Aspect Ratio: Width to height proportion - Common: 2:3, 1:2, 3:5. Nepal is the only non-rectangular flag
💼 Flag Applications
- Government Buildings: Federal offices, embassies, consulates, parliament and state institutions
- International Events: Olympics, UN meetings, diplomatic summits and sporting competitions
- Military: Armed forces, naval vessels, aircraft insignia and ceremonial displays
- Commercial: Airlines, shipping vessels, international trade and tourism marketing
- Celebrations: National holidays, independence days, state ceremonies and patriotic events
- Education: Schools, universities, geography lessons and cultural studies
🌍 Flag Families
Nordic Cross: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland
Pan-Slavic Colors: Russia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia (red, blue, white)
Pan-African Colors: Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea (red, yellow, green)
Pan-Arab Colors: Jordan, Palestine, Sudan, UAE (red, black, white, green)
Union Jack Derivatives: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu
Pan-Slavic Colors: Russia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia (red, blue, white)
Pan-African Colors: Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea (red, yellow, green)
Pan-Arab Colors: Jordan, Palestine, Sudan, UAE (red, black, white, green)
Union Jack Derivatives: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu
Fascinating Flag Facts & World Records
- Oldest Flag: Denmark's Dannebrog (since 1370, over 650 years old)
- Only Non-Rectangular: Nepal (two stacked triangular pennants)
- Square Flags: Switzerland and Vatican City (1:1 ratio)
- Two Different Sides: Paraguay has different emblems front and back
- War Indicator: Philippines reverses colors during wartime
- Modern Weapon: Mozambique features an AK-47 rifle
- Never Half-Mast: Saudi Arabia (contains Islamic Shahada)
- Solid Color: Libya 1977-2011 (all green, no symbols)
- Most Colors: South Africa (6 colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white)
- Student Design: USA flag designed by 17-year-old Robert G. Heft
⚖️ Flag Etiquette & Protocol
National flags are protected symbols under international law. Proper flag protocol includes: flying at half-mast during mourning periods, never touching the ground, displaying with respect during national anthems and proper illumination if displayed at night. Many countries have flag laws protecting against desecration, unauthorized commercial use, or improper display. The flag code specifies how flags should be folded, stored and disposed of respectfully when worn out. During international events, flags are displayed in alphabetical order by country name in the host nation's language. Always respect local customs and laws regarding national flag usage worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
💡 What is the oldest national flag still in use?
Denmark's Dannebrog (red with white cross) has been in continuous use since 1370, making it over 650 years old. According to legend, it fell from heaven during a 1219 battle in Estonia.
🌍 Which country has a non-rectangular flag?
Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular flag. It consists of two stacked triangular pennants. The exact geometric construction is mathematically defined in Nepal's constitution!
🎨 What do flag colors symbolize?
Flag colors have universal meanings: Red = bravery, bloodshed, revolution; Blue = freedom, water, sky; Green = land, Islam, hope, agriculture; Yellow/Gold = wealth, sun, resources; White = peace, purity, snow; Black = determination, ethnicity, defeat of enemies.
🔒 Can I use a national flag for commercial purposes?
Most countries have flag laws and flag codes that regulate commercial use. While many nations allow respectful use in advertising, merchandise or decoration, some countries prohibit commercial exploitation of their national symbols. Always check local regulations before commercial flag usage.
📜 Why do some flags look similar to each other?
Flags often share designs due to historical connections, political movements, or regional unity. Examples: Nordic countries share the cross design; Pan-Slavic nations use red, blue and white from Russia's flag; Pan-Arab colors represent Arab independence movements; former British colonies often feature the Union Jack.