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; the color red

represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social

classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty

bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) - united

under the Communist Party of China

Christmas Island

territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper

hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image

of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue

with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia,

superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the

island

note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes

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; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of

Gran Columbia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up

in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include:

yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its

shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom;

alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more

elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty

and vigilance (blue), and valour and generosity (red); or simply the

principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity

note: 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, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial

collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros)

note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols

of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

sky blue field divided diagonally

from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe

bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star

appears in the upper hoist corner; blue represents peace and hope,

red the blood of the country's martyrs, and yellow the country's

wealth and prosperity; the star symbolizes unity and the brilliant

future for the country

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; green symbolizes agriculture and forests,

yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained

but has been associated with the struggle for independence

note: 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 toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the

earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in

response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to

incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central

red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the

sky, opportunity, and perseverence, white denotes peace, happiness,

and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well

as the generosity and vibrancy of the people

note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the

flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed

Cote d'Ivoire

three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),

white, and green; orange symbolizes the land (savannah) of the north

and fertility, white stands for peace and unity, green represents

the forests of the south and the hope for a bright future

note: 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

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue -

the Pan-Slav colors - superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms; the

coat of arms consists of one main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red

and 12 silver (white) fields) surmounted by five smaller shields

that form a crown over the main shield; the five small shields

represent five historic regions, they are (from left to right):

Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia

note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of

Russia

Cuba

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom)

alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the

hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; the blue

bands refer to the three old divisions of the island: central,

occidental, and oriental; the white bands describe the purity of the

independence ideal; the triangle symbolizes liberty, equality, and

fraternity, while the red color stands for the blood shed in the

independence struggle; the white star, called La Estrella Solitaria

(the Lone Star) lights the way to freedom and was taken from the

flag of Texas

note: design similar to the Puerto Rican flag, with the colors of

the bands and triangle reversed

Curacao

on a blue field a horizontal yellow band somewhat below the

center divides the flag into proportions of 5:1:2; two five-pointed

white stars - the smaller above and to the left of the larger -

appear in the canton; the blue of the upper and lower sections

symbolizes the sky and sea respectively; yellow represents the sun;

the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister

island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five

continents from which Curacao's people derive

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 Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the

white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow

horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and

bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red

five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national

flag but with the colors reversed

Czech Republic

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red

with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

note: is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia; uses

the Pan-Slav colors inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia

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;

the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one

of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the

origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that

the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle;

caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this

heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality,

the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign

note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the

other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia

the flag of the UK is used

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; blue stands for sea

and sky and the Issa Somali people; green symbolizes earth and the

Afar people; white represents peace; the red star recalls the

struggle for independence and stands for unity

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,

unique to Dominica, encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged

in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions

(parishes); green symbolizes the island's lush vegetation; the

triple-colored cross represents the Christian Trinity; the yellow

color denotes sunshine, the main agricultural products (citrus and

bananas), and the native Carib Indians; black is for the rich soil

and the African heritage of most citizens; white signifies rivers,

waterfalls, and the purity of aspirations; the red disc stands for

social justice

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 a laurel 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; in the shield a bible is opened

to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth

shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation,

and red for the blood of heroes

Ecuador

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,

and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the

flag; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran

Columbia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; the

yellow color represents sunshine, grain, and mineral wealth, blue

the sky, sea, and rivers, and red the blood of patriots spilled in

the struggle for freedom and justice

note: 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;

the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side

with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the

name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; the band

colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression

(black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a

bright future (white)

note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the

white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the

white band, and Yemen, which has a plain 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; the banner is based

on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of

Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the

Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the

two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity

note: 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); green symbolizes the jungle and

natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the

mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the

fight for independence

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; green stands for the

country's agriculture economy, red signifies the blood shed in the

fight for freedom, and blue symbolizes the bounty of the sea; the

wreath-olive branch symbol is similar to that on the first flag of

Eritrea from 1952; the shape of the red triangle broadly mimics the

shape of the country

Estonia

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and

white; various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue

represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of

the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of

the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian

people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and

virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer

nights illuminated by the midnight sun

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; green represents hope and the fertility of the land,

yellow symbolizes justice and harmony, while red stands for

sacrifice and heroism in the defense of the land; the blue of the

disk symbolizes peace and the pentagram represents the unity and

equality of the nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia

note: Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the

three main colors of her flag (adopted ca. 1895) were so often

adopted by other African countries upon independence that they

became known as the Pan-African colors; the emblem in the center of

the current flag was added in 1996

European Union

a blue field with 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged

in a circle in the center; blue represents the sky of the Western

world, the stars are the peoples of Europe in a circle, a symbol of

unity; the number of stars is fixed

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 was once 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);

referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag

resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same

three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the

clear Faroese sky as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are

traditional Faroese colors

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 blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean and the Union Jack

reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from

Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion above a white field

quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict

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); the blue represents the

thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is

for the snow that covers the land in winter

France

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and

red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the

origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution when the

"ancient French color" of white was combined with the blue and red

colors of the Parisian militia; the official flag for all French

dependent areas

note: the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other

flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland,

Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands

French Polynesia

two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band

in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue

and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a

gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a

stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the

ship has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the

five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors

note: similar to the red-white-red flag of Tahiti, the largest of

the islands in French Polynesia, which has no emblem in the white

band; the flag of France 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;

green represents the country's forests and natural resources, gold

represents the equator (which transects Gabon) as well as the sun,

blue represents the sea

Gambia, The

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with

white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah,

blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and

agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace

Georgia

white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all

four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small

red bolnur-katskhuri cross; although adopted as the official

Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross flag design appears to date

back to the 14th century

Germany

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold;

these colors have played an important role in German history and can

be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a

black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field

Ghana

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green,

with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;

red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, yellow represents

the country's mineral wealth, while green stands for its forests and

natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African

freedom

note: 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;

the design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July

1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle

symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents

Gibraltar's strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean

Greece

nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;

a blue square bearing a white cross appears in the upper hoist-side

corner; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established

religion of the country; there is no agreed upon meaning for the

nine stripes or for the colors; the exact shade of blue has never

been set by law and has varied from a light to a dark blue over time

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; the design represents the

sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those

of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of

Denmark

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 stand for the seven

administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the

capital, St. George; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the

people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red

symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage

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, a proa or outrigger canoe with sail, and a

palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; the

proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Punta Dos

Amantes, near the capital, in the background; blue represents the

sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression

note: the 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) representing liberty 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 signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a

pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel

wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands stand for the Pacific

Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and the sea and sky; the white band

denotes peace and purity

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; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the

fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is

a replica of the one used by Duke William of Normandy at the Battle

of Hastings

Guinea

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and

green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and

work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and

for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors

from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of

neighboring Mali and Senegal

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; yellow symbolizes the

sun; green denotes hope; red represents blood shed during the

struggle for independence; the black star stands for African unity

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the flag

design was heavily influenced by the Ghanian flag

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; green represents forest and

foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future;

white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the

sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance

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); the colors

are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks

and mulattoes