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@2081 Flag description
Afghanistan
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and
green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem
features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left
and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above
Albania
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center
Algeria
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a
red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the
two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are
traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)
American Samoa
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is
based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and
white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying
two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
Andorra
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the
coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of
Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the
center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
Angola
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a
centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half
a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Anguilla
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an
interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy
water below
Antigua and Barbuda
red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based
on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal
bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising
sun in the black band
Argentina
three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white,
and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun
with a human face known as the Sun of May
Armenia
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange
Aruba
blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the
lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the
upper hoist-side corner
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
the flag of Australia is used
Australia
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side
quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation
of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for
each of the six original states and one representing all of
Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is
a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with
one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars
Austria
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red
Azerbaijan
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and
green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in
red band
Bahamas, The
three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold,
and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist
side
Bahrain
red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the
hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Baker Island
the flag of the US is used
Bangladesh
green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of
center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve
independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and
secondarily, the traditional color of Islam
Barbados
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and
blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the
trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the
colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Bassas da India
the flag of France is used
Belarus
red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half
the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side
bears a Belarusian national ornament in red
Belgium
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,
and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Belize
blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom
edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the
coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a
mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in
the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green
garland
Benin
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a
vertical green band on the hoist side
Bermuda
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with
a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship
Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the
flag
Bhutan
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered
along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing
away from the hoist side
Bolivia
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the
flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in
the yellow band
Bosnia and Herzegovina
a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly
side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top
of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven
full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom
along the hypotenuse of the triangle
Botswana
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in
the center
Bouvet Island
the flag of Norway is used
Brazil
green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a
blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each
state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the
night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with
the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)
British Indian Ocean Territory
white with six blue wavy horizontal
stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the
outer half of the flag
British Virgin Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked
on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll
bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Brunei
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double
width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national
emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a
swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned
crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Bulgaria
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and
red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white
stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a
wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a
ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and
1944 (liberation from Nazi control)
Burkina Faso
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with
a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Burma
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing, all in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel
containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14
administrative divisions
Burundi
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and
bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white
disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars
outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,
two stars below)
Cambodia
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width),
and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat
outlined in black in the center of the red band
Cameroon
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and
yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Canada
two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width),
with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is
centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red
and white
Cape Verde
three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),
white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light
blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the
hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands
Cayman Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above
a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE
SEAS
Central African Republic
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top),
white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there
is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
Chad
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of
Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms
centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Chile
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a
blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end
of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the
center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes
the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the
blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the
US flag
China
red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller
yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the
middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner
Christmas Island
the flag of Australia is used; note - in early
1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an
island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally
adopted as the official flag of the territory
Clipperton Island
the flag of France is used
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
the flag of Australia is used
Colombia
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,
and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears
the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Comoros
four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and
blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered
within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing
the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a
line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and
the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of
France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
light blue with a large yellow
five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six
small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side
Congo, Republic of the
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side
by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the
lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia
Cook Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Coral Sea Islands
the flag of Australia is used
Costa Rica
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical
disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a
light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just
below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the
words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Cote d'Ivoire
three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),
white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer
and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side),
white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
Croatia
red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of
arms (red and white checkered)
Cuba
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design
influenced by the US flag
Cyprus
white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the
name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two
green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches
symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek
and Turkish communities
note: the Turkish Cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the
top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a
white field
Czech Republic
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to
the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)
Denmark
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side,
and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was
subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,
Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Djibouti
two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light
green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
bearing a red five-pointed star in the center
Dominica
green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the
vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the
horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in
the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot
encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10
stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)
Dominican Republic
a centered white cross that extends to the edges
divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist
side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a
small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch
(left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross;
above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA,
LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA
DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon
East Timor
red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that
extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the
center of the black triangle
Ecuador
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,
and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the
flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not
bear a coat of arms
Egypt
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle
facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country
in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen,
which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria,
which has two green stars, and to the flag of Iraq, which has three
green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line
centered in the white band
El Salvador
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag
of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the
white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA
DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar
to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band
Equatorial Guinea
three equal horizontal bands of green (top),
white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of
arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and
five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton
tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ,
JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
Eritrea
red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing
the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the
lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is
centered on the hoist side of the red triangle
Estonia
pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three
equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white
Ethiopia
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and
red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from
the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the
three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa,
and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other
African countries upon independence that they became known as the
pan-African colors
Europa Island
the flag of France is used
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
blue with the flag of the UK in
the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
Faroe Islands
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to
the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Fiji
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the
flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered
by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm
tree, bananas, and a white dove
Finland
white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag;
the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the
style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
France
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and
red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/or
colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of
Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands;
the official flag for all French dependent areas
French Guiana
the flag of France is used
French Polynesia
two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white
band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave
pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the
upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave
pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
the flag of France is used
Gabon
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Gambia, The
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with
white edges, and green
Georgia
maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side
corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Germany
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold
Ghana
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green
with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag
of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Gibraltar
two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red
with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band;
hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
Glorioso Islands
the flag of France is used
Greece
nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;
there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a
white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established
religion of the country
Greenland
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a
large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of
the disk is red, the bottom half is white
Grenada
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top
and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a
red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed
stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in
the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the
center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the
hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer
of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven
administrative divisions
Guadeloupe
the flag of France is used
Guam
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all
four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
national flag
Guatemala
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side),
white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white
band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the
national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE
SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed
swords and framed by a wreath
Guernsey
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of
England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed
cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
Guinea
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and
green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissau
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green
with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black
five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Guyana
green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow,
black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border
between the yellow and the green
Haiti
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a
palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
the flag of Australia is used
Holy See (Vatican City)
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side)
and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter
centered in the white band
Honduras
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former
Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El
Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
Hong Kong
red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in
the center
Howland Island
the flag of the US is used
Hungary
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green
Iceland
blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
India
three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange)
(top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel)
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has
a small orange disk centered in the white band
Indonesia
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar
to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of
Poland, which is white (top) and red
Iran
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;
the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in
the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in
the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is
repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11
times along the top edge of the red band
Iraq
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in
the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green
Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to
the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the
Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two
stars but no script and the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white
band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle
centered in the white band
Ireland
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and
has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors
of green (hoist side), white, and red
Israel
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as
the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal
horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag
Italy
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green
(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the
Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),
white, and green
note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in
1797
Jamaica
diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)
Jan Mayen
the flag of Norway is used
Japan
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without
rays) in the center
Jarvis Island
the flag of the US is used
Jersey
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of
the flag and in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a
red shield holding the three lions of England in yellow
Johnston Atoll
the flag of the US is used
Jordan
three equal horizontal bands of black (top, the Abbassid
Caliphate of Islam), white (the Ummayyad Caliphate of Islam), and
green (the Fatimid Caliphate of Islam) with a red isosceles triangle
(representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916) based on the hoist side
bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven
verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven
points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national
spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations
Juan de Nova Island
the flag of France is used
Kazakhstan
sky blue background representing the endless sky and a
gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the
center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold
Kenya
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;
the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering
crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Kingman Reef
the flag of the US is used
Kiribati
the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying
over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three
horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean
Korea, North
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple
width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side
of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
Korea, South
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the
center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching
(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
Kuwait
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
Kyrgyzstan
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt
Laos
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and
red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Latvia
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width),
and maroon
Lebanon
three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width),
and red with a green cedar tree centered in the white band
Lesotho
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the
upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield
with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band
with a green triangle in the corner
Liberia
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the
US flag
Libya
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the
state religion)
Liechtenstein
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Lithuania
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and
red
Luxembourg
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Macau
light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and
water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one
large in center of arc and four smaller
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
a yellow sun with eight
broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field
Madagascar
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Malawi
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green
with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Malaysia
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star;
the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the
design was based on the flag of the US
Maldives
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the
hoist side of the flag
Mali
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and
red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Malta
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the
upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,
edged in red
Man, Isle of
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in
the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the
knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of
the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Marshall Islands
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower
hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star
with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the
two stripes
Martinique
a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by
a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
Mauritania
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,
horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
Mauritius
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow,
and green
Mayotte
the flag of France is used
Mexico
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in
its beak) is centered in the white band
Micronesia, Federated States of
light blue with four white
five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond
pattern
Midway Islands
the flag of the US is used
Moldova
same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of
blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a
Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons
carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its
right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast
is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox
head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Monaco
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to
the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which
is white (top) and red
Mongolia
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and
red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national
emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)
Montserrat
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside
a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
Morocco
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known
as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the
traditional color of Islam
Mozambique
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and
yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the
black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow
five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book
Namibia
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper
left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower
right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is
contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
Nauru
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the
center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the
hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to
the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12
original tribes of Nauru
Navassa Island
the flag of the US is used
Nepal
red with a blue border around the unique shape of two
overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a
white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white
12-pointed sun
Netherlands
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue
and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating
with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th
century
Netherlands Antilles
white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the
center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five
white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the
center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main
islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
New Caledonia
the flag of France is used
New Zealand
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in
the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross
constellation
Nicaragua
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to
the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by
the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in
the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five
blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Niger
three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green
with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the
white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked
wheel centered in the white band
Nigeria
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
green
Niue
yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars -
a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each
arm of the bold red cross
Norfolk Island
three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white,
and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in
the slightly wider white band
Northern Mariana Islands
blue, with a white, five-pointed star
superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional
foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a
wreath
Norway
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Oman
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width
with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national
emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed
swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the
vertical band
Pakistan
green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of
religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and
star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam
Palau
light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)
shifted slightly to the hoist side
Palmyra Atoll
the flag of the US is used
Panama
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are
white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and
plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and
white with a red five-pointed star in the center
Papua New Guinea
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner;
the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise
centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed
stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
Paraguay
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue
with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the
emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the
left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star
within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY,
all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears
the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty
and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Peru
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath
Philippines
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of
the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each
containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle
is a small yellow five-pointed star
Pitcairn Islands
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered
on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green,
and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
Poland
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to
the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
Portugal
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and
red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the
dividing line
Puerto Rico
five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design
initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag,
with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
Qatar
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on
the hoist side
Reunion
the flag of France is used
Romania
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the
yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also
resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova
Russia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
Rwanda
three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width),
yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end
of the blue band
Saint Helena
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of
the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted
sailing ship
Saint Kitts and Nevis
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side
by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the
black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the
lower triangle is red
Saint Lucia
blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black
arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist
side rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under
the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three
parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal
cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing
the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one
above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by
colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the
flag of France is used for official occasions
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
three vertical bands of blue (hoist
side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three
green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
Samoa
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant
bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern
Cross constellation
San Marino
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue
with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat
of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked
by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word
LIBERTAS (Liberty)
Sao Tome and Principe
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow
(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed
side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles
triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Saudi Arabia
green with large white Arabic script (that may be
translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of
God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam
Senegal
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow
band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Serbia and Montenegro
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top),
white, and red
Seychelles
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red,
white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Sierra Leone
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),
white, and light blue
Singapore
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near
the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent
(closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five
white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Slovakia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist
side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Slovenia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red,
with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav,
Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the
center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and
rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an
inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the
Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th
and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist
side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Solomon Islands
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue
with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the
lower triangle is green
Somalia
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the
center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN
South Africa
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue
separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y,
the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y
embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are
separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are
separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
blue, with the flag of
the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and
the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half
of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion
centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a
penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below
it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the
Lion Protect its Own Land)
Spain
three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width),
and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the
yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the
Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and
Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar
Sri Lanka
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other
panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a
sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow
field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between
the two panels
Sudan
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
Suriname
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white,
red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a
large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band
Svalbard
the flag of Norway is used
Swaziland
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band
is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff
decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
Sweden
blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in
the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Switzerland
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the
center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
Syria
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black,
with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has
a plain white band, and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus
an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle
centered in the white band
Taiwan
red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
Tajikistan
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of
white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold,
five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe
Tanzania
divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green
and the lower triangle is blue
Thailand
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red
Togo
five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)
alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red
square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia
Tokelau
the flag of New Zealand is used
Tonga
red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner
Trinidad and Tobago
red with a white-edged black diagonal band from
the upper hoist side to the lower fly side
Tromelin Island
the flag of France is used
Tunisia
red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent
nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are
traditional symbols of Islam
Turkey
red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is
toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just
outside the crescent opening
Turkmenistan
green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist
side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs)
stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive
branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars
appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the
red stripe
Turks and Caicos Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer
half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell,
lobster, and cactus
Tuvalu
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country
with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
Uganda
six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red,
black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center
and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the
hoist side
Ukraine
two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow
represent grainfields under a blue sky
United Arab Emirates
three equal horizontal bands of green (top),
white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side
United Kingdom
blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron
saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red
cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is
superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron
saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly
called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue
Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including
other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or
provinces, as well as British overseas territories
United States
thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and
bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the
upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars
arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and
bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent
the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies;
known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a
number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and
Puerto Rico
Uruguay
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom)
alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Uzbekistan
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and
12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Vanuatu
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by
a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two
points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);
centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed
namele leaves, all in yellow
Venezuela
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and
red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and
an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
Vietnam
red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center
Virgin Islands
white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center
between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a
yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows
in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white
stripes below a blue panel
Wake Island
the flag of the US is used
Wallis and Futuna
a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a
little off center toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red
background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in
the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official
occasions
Yemen
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars and of Iraq
which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a
horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag
of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band
Zambia
green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist
side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer
edge of the flag
Zimbabwe
seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black,
red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in
black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird
representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a
red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which
symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral
wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands
for the native people