National Flags Of Africa
đŗī¸ 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.
đ Page 2 of 3Showing 26 - 50 of 58 flags
đ¨ Flag Description
Eleven horizontal stripes of red and white with a blue canton containing one white star in the upper hoist corner
đ Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlue
Red represents courage and valor; White represents purity and moral excellence; Blue represents African continent
â Symbols & Design Elements
White five-pointed star on blue canton; 11 stripes
Star represents the first independent African republic; 11 stripes represent the 11 signers of the Liberian Declaration of Independence
đĄ Interesting Fact
Closely resembles the US flag as Liberia was founded by freed American slaves; one of two flags modeled after the US flag (the other is Malaysia)
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Earlier versions had different numbers of stripes and stars
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Must be treated with respect as symbol of Africa's first republic
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of red, black (double width), and green with a white crescent and star in the center
đ Colors & Meanings
RedBlackGreenWhite
Red represents blood of martyrs; Black represents the dark days under colonial rule; Green represents prosperity and agriculture; White represents purity and hope for future
â Symbols & Design Elements
White crescent and star on black band
Crescent and star represent Islam, the majority religion of Libya
đĄ Interesting Fact
Between 1977 and 2011, Libya used an all-green flag with no symbols - the only national flag in history to be a single solid color
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
All-green flag (1977-2011) - the only single-color national flag in the world at that time
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Readopted after fall of Gaddafi regime as symbol of new democratic Libya
đ¨ Flag Description
White vertical band on hoist side, with horizontal red and green bands on fly side
đ Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteGreen
Red and white represent Merina Kingdom heritage; Green represents coastal regions and Hova people; together they symbolize sovereignty and hope
â Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - color pattern
Vertical white band represents purity and traditional kingdom; horizontal bands unite coastal and highland peoples
đĄ Interesting Fact
The red and white colors come from the Merina Kingdom flag that ruled Madagascar before French colonization
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
French colonial flag (until 1958)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
National symbol represents unity of all Malagasy people
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of black, red, and green with a red rising sun on the black band
đ Colors & Meanings
BlackRedGreen
Black represents African people; Red represents blood of martyrs for freedom; Green represents nature and fertility
â Symbols & Design Elements
Red rising sun with 31 rays on black band
Rising sun represents dawn of freedom and hope; 31 rays originally represented Malawi being the 31st African nation to gain independence
đĄ Interesting Fact
In 2010, the sun was changed from rising to full and centered, but public opposition led to reverting to the original design in 2012
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Full sun version (2010-2012) - sun changed from rising to full, then reverted
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Rising sun must be depicted in red on the black stripe
đ¨ Flag Description
Three equal vertical bands of green, gold, and red
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenGold (Yellow)Red
Green represents fertility and land; Gold represents purity and mineral wealth; Red represents blood shed for independence
â Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - tricolor pattern
Pan-African colors representing African unity and independence
đĄ Interesting Fact
Originally featured a black kanaga (stylized human figure) in the center when Mali was part of the Mali Federation with Senegal, removed after the federation dissolved
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Mali Federation flag with kanaga symbol (1959-1961)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Pan-African colors must be in correct order: green-gold-red
đ¨ Flag Description
Green field with red horizontal stripes at top and bottom, featuring a gold upward-pointing crescent and five-pointed star in the center
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenGold (Yellow)Red
Green represents Islam and hope; Gold represents the sands of Sahara Desert; Red stripes (added 2017) represent blood shed for independence
â Symbols & Design Elements
Gold crescent and star on green field
Crescent and star represent Islam; crescent also represents the country's progress
đĄ Interesting Fact
Red stripes were added in 2017 to honor those who died fighting for independence, ending Mauritania's distinction (with Jamaica) as one of only two flags without red, white, or blue
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Same design without red stripes (1959-2017)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Red stripes added by referendum in 2017
đ¨ Flag Description
Four equal horizontal bands of red, blue, yellow, and green
đ Colors & Meanings
RedBlueYellowGreen
Red represents independence struggle; Blue represents the Indian Ocean; Yellow represents light of independence; Green represents agriculture and lush vegetation
â Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - four equal bands
Four colors represent the diverse population and natural beauty of the island
đĄ Interesting Fact
One of the few national flags with four equal horizontal stripes; colors chosen to represent the multi-ethnic society of Mauritius
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
British Blue Ensign with coat of arms (colonial era)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
All four bands must be equal width
đ¨ Flag Description
Overseas department of France; uses French tricolor flag officially
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteRed (French tricolor)
Uses French national colors
â Symbols & Design Elements
No official regional symbols; French flag used officially
N/A - uses French flag
đĄ Interesting Fact
Became France's 101st department in 2011; officially uses only French flag
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Unofficial flag with white crescent sometimes used
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
French overseas department; French flag protocol applies
đ¨ Flag Description
Red field with a green pentagram (five-pointed linear star) in the center
đ Colors & Meanings
RedGreen
Red represents Alaouite dynasty and strength; Green pentagram represents Seal of Solomon and link to Islam
â Symbols & Design Elements
Green pentagram (five-pointed star) in center
Pentagram represents the Seal of Solomon and the five pillars of Islam
đĄ Interesting Fact
The pentagram was added in 1915 by Sultan Yusef to distinguish Morocco's flag from others during international maritime use
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Plain red flag (until 1915); green pentagram added to distinguish from other red flags
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Pentagram must be green and properly centered
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal bands of green, black (with white borders), and yellow; red triangle on hoist with yellow star over crossed rifle, hoe, and book
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenBlackYellowWhiteRed
Green represents land and agriculture; Black represents African continent; Yellow represents mineral wealth; White represents peace; Red represents independence struggle
â Symbols & Design Elements
Red triangle with yellow star, crossed AK-47 rifle, hoe, and book
Star represents socialism and internationalism; AK-47 represents defense; hoe represents agriculture; book represents education
đĄ Interesting Fact
Only national flag in the world to feature a modern assault rifle (AK-47); there have been proposals to remove it but it remains
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
All symbols including rifle must be depicted; represents revolutionary heritage
đ¨ Flag Description
Diagonal band of red bordered by narrow white stripes from lower hoist to upper fly, with blue upper and green lower triangles; gold sun in upper hoist
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueRedGreenWhiteGold (Yellow)
Blue represents sky and ocean; Red represents Namibian people and determination for equality; Green represents vegetation and agriculture; White represents peace; Gold represents the Namib Desert and mineral resources
â Symbols & Design Elements
Golden sun with 12 triangular rays in upper hoist canton
Sun represents life and energy; 12 rays represent the 12 tribes of Namibia
đĄ Interesting Fact
Designed through a competition after independence; combines pan-African colors with symbols of the desert and new beginning
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
South African flag used during occupation (until 1990)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Sun must have exactly 12 rays representing tribal unity
đ¨ Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of orange, white, and green with an orange circle centered in the white band
đ 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
â Symbols & Design Elements
Orange circle in center of white band
Orange circle represents the sun and independence
đĄ Interesting Fact
The flag design symbolizes the geographic and cultural diversity of Niger: Sahara Desert (north), Niger River (center), and agricultural lands (south)
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
French colonial flag (until 1959)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Sun disc must be centered in white band
đ¨ Flag Description
Three equal vertical bands of green, white, and green
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenWhite
Green represents natural wealth, agriculture, and forests; White represents peace and unity
â Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - tricolor pattern
Simple design represents unity and agricultural wealth
đĄ 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
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
British colonial flag (until 1960)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Must never touch the ground; flown at half-mast for national mourning
đ¨ Flag Description
Diagonal tricolor with green top-left, yellow diagonal stripe, and red bottom-right
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenYellowRed
Green represents forests; Yellow represents friendship; Red represents blood of martyrs
â Symbols & Design Elements
No symbols
Pan-African colors
đĄ Interesting Fact
Reverted to original 1959 flag after abandoning 1970 communist-era flag
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Used 1959-1970, replaced 1970-1991, re-adopted 1991
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Official national flag
đ¨ Flag Description
Overseas department of France; uses French tricolor flag officially
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteRed (French tricolor)
Uses French national colors
â Symbols & Design Elements
No official regional symbols; French flag used officially
N/A - uses French flag
đĄ Interesting Fact
Several unofficial regional flags exist but France does not recognize them officially
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Various unofficial regional flags used informally
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
French overseas department; French flag protocol applies
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal bands - blue (top, double width), yellow, and green with yellow sun in upper fly
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueYellowGreen
Blue represents happiness and peace; Yellow represents economic development; Green represents hope and prosperity; sun represents enlightenment
â Symbols & Design Elements
Yellow sun with 24 rays in upper fly corner
Sun represents unity, transparency, and enlightenment; 24 rays represent light shining on all Rwandans
đĄ Interesting Fact
Completely redesigned in 2001 to distance from the 1994 genocide; previous flag colors were associated with the tragedy
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Red, yellow, green with "R" (1961-2001) - associated with genocide
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Sun must have 24 rays; represents post-genocide unity and reconciliation
đ¨ Flag Description
Blue ensign with Union Jack in canton and shield showing ship and wirebird
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueWhiteRedGreenBrown
Blue represents the South Atlantic Ocean
â Symbols & Design Elements
Ship, Saint Helena plover (wirebird)
Ship represents RMS St Helena; wirebird is endemic and island symbol
đĄ Interesting Fact
The wirebird (Saint Helena plover) is critically endangered and found only on Saint Helena
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Badge modified over time, current version from 1984
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
British overseas territory protocol applies
đ¨ Flag Description
Horizontal triband of green, yellow, green with red triangle at hoist and two black stars on yellow
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenYellowBlackRed
Green represents vegetation; Yellow represents cocoa; Red represents struggle for independence; Black represents African heritage
â Symbols & Design Elements
Two black five-pointed stars
Two stars represent the two main islands (SÃŖo TomÊ and PrÃncipe)
đĄ Interesting Fact
The flag design is similar to the flag of the African Party for Independence (MLSTP)
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Adopted at independence from Portugal in 1975
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Official national flag
đ¨ Flag Description
Three equal vertical bands of green, yellow, and red with a green five-pointed star centered in yellow band
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenYellowRed
Green represents Islam, hope and agriculture; Yellow represents wealth and progress; Red represents life, sacrifice and determination; star represents unity
â Symbols & Design Elements
Green five-pointed star in center yellow band
Star represents unity, hope and African freedom; five points represent five continents
đĄ Interesting Fact
When Mali Federation dissolved in 1960, Senegal kept the colors but replaced the kanaga symbol with a star to represent openness to the world
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Mali Federation flag with kanaga symbol (1959-1960)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Pan-African colors with star representing unity
đ¨ Flag Description
Five oblique bands of blue, yellow, red, white, and green radiating from the lower hoist corner
đ Colors & Meanings
BlueYellowRedWhiteGreen
Blue represents sky and sea; Yellow represents sun; Red represents people and determination; White represents justice and harmony; Green represents land and environment
â Symbols & Design Elements
Five oblique colored bands radiating from lower hoist
Five colors represent diverse society; radiating design represents dynamic new nation
đĄ Interesting Fact
One of the most colorful flags in the world with five distinct colors; unique radiating design is distinctive among national flags
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Socialist flag with red, white, green (1977-1996)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Five bands must radiate from lower hoist in correct order
đ¨ Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of green, white, and blue
đ Colors & Meanings
GreenWhiteBlue
Green represents agriculture, mountains and natural resources; White represents unity and justice; Blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and hope for world peace
â Symbols & Design Elements
No specific symbols - tricolor pattern
Simple tricolor represents natural wealth, unity and maritime heritage
đĄ Interesting Fact
The green represents the Sierra Leone mountains (from which the country takes its name - "Lion Mountains"); relatively simple design among African flags
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
British colonial flag (until 1961)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Colors must be in correct order representing land, peace, and sea
đ¨ Flag Description
Light blue field with a large white five-pointed star in the center
đ Colors & Meanings
Light BlueWhite
Light blue represents the sky and the Indian Ocean; blue also represents UN which helped Somalia gain independence; White represents peace
â Symbols & Design Elements
White five-pointed star in center
Five points represent five regions where Somali people live: Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia, Ogaden, and NFD (Kenya)
đĄ Interesting Fact
The light blue color was chosen to match the UN flag as UN helped Somalia achieve independence; five-pointed star represents Somali irredentism
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Italian colonial flag (until 1954)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Star represents Somali unity across five regions
đ¨ Flag Description
Y-shaped green band bordered by white and gold, separating red and blue triangles, with black triangle at hoist
đ Colors & Meanings
RedGreenBlueBlackYellowWhite
Red represents bloodshed; Green represents fertility; Blue represents sky; Black represents the people; Yellow represents mineral wealth; White represents peace; Y-shape represents convergence
â Symbols & Design Elements
Horizontal Y-shape from hoist dividing flag
Y-shape represents convergence and unity of diverse society moving forward together
đĄ Interesting Fact
Designed in just six weeks before 1994 elections; combines colors of ANC, Afrikaner republics, and British flags; only national flag with six colors
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Apartheid-era flag with orange-white-blue and smaller flags (1928-1994)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Y-shape must flow from hoist; represents unity from division
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal stripes of black, red, and green separated by thin white stripes; blue triangle at hoist with yellow star
đ Colors & Meanings
BlackRedGreenWhiteBlueYellow
Black represents the people; Red represents blood shed; Green represents land; White represents peace; Blue represents Nile waters; Yellow star represents unity
â Symbols & Design Elements
Blue triangle at hoist with yellow star
Blue represents the Nile; yellow star represents unity of states; triangle points to future
đĄ Interesting Fact
Similar to Kenya and Sudan flags; adopted from SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement) flag when South Sudan became independent in 2011
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Sudanese flag used before independence (until 2011)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Star represents unity of the world's youngest nation
đ¨ Flag Description
Three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black with a green triangle at the hoist
đ Colors & Meanings
RedWhiteBlackGreen
Red represents socialism and revolution; White represents peace and light; Black represents Sudan ("black land"); Green represents Islam and prosperity
â Symbols & Design Elements
Green triangle at hoist
Green triangle represents Islam and agricultural wealth
đĄ Interesting Fact
Adopted after Nimeiry coup in 1969; uses pan-Arab colors similar to flags of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen
đ°ī¸ Historical Versions
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan flags (colonial period)
âī¸ Flag Protocol & Usage
Pan-Arab color scheme represents Arab unity
đŗī¸ Understanding National Flags: A Complete Guide
đ 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).
đ¨ 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
đŧ 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
đ 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
âī¸ 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 â
đĄ 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.
đ 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!
đ¨ 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.
đ 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.
đ 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.
đŗī¸ National Flags Collection
Flags & Vexillology Resources
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Flags Jigsaw Puzzle
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Decorative Flag Set
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Flag Sticker Collection
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Complete Flags Book
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Flags History Book
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World Flags Set
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