the flag of Australia is used
Holy See (Vatican City)
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side)
and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed
keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara,
centered in the white band; the yellow color represents the pope's
spiritual power, the white his worldly power
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; the blue bands
symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; the white band
represents the land between the two bodies of water and the peace
and prosperity of its people
note: 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 words
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; each petal contains a small, red, five-pointed star in
its middle; the red color is the same as that on the Chinese flag
and represents the motherland; the fragrant Bauhinia - developed in
Hong Kong the late 19th century - has come to symbolize the region;
the five stars echo those on the flag of China
Hungary
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green;
the flag dates to the national movement of the 18th and 19th
centuries, and fuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat of
arms with the revolutionary tricolor form of the French flag;
folklore attributes virtues to the colors: red for strength, white
for faithfulness, and green for hope; alternatively, the red is seen
as being for the blood spilled in defense of the land, white for
freedom, and green for the pasturelands that make up so much of the
country
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); the colors
represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for
the island's volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and ice fields
of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean
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; saffron represents courage, sacrifice,
and the spirit of renunciation; white signifies purity and truth;
green stands for faith and fertility; the blue chakra symbolizes the
wheel of life in movement and death in stagnation
note: 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; the
colors derive from the banner of the Majapahit Empire of the
13th-15th centuries; red symbolizes courage, white represents purity
note: 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; green is the color of
Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and
peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom
Iraq
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green
Arabic script is 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); the Council of Representatives approved this flag in
2008 as a compromise temporary replacement for the Ba'athist
Saddam-era flag
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no
script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt,
which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band
Ireland
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common
interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist
(Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange
tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white
symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the
orange
note: 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
Isle of Man
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion), 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; the flag is based on the
coat-of-arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, Magnus III
(r. 1252-1265); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun
symbol
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; the
basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is
white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back
to medieval times
Italy
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; design inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon
in 1797; colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the
green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard
note: similar to the flag of Mexico, which is longer, uses darker
shades of red and green, and has its coat of arms centered on the
white band; 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
Jamaica
diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green
represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects
hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden
sunshine and the island's natural resources
Jan Mayen
the flag of Norway is used
Japan
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without
rays) in the center
Jersey
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of
the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red
shield with three lions in yellow; according to tradition, the ships
of Jersey - in an attempt to differentiate themselves from English
ships flying the horizontal cross of St. George - rotated the cross
to the "X" (saltire) configuration; because this arrangement still
resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, the yellow Plantagenet
crown and Jersey coat of arms were added
Jordan
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the
Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and
green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle
on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and
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; design is
based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
Kazakhstan
a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe
eagle, both centered on a sky blue background; the hoist side
displays a national ornamental pattern "koshkar-muiz" (the horns of
the ram) in gold; the blue color is of religious significance to the
Turkic peoples of the country, and so symbolizes cultural and ethnic
unity; it also represents the endless sky as well as water; the sun,
a source of life and energy, exemplifies wealth and plenitude; the
sun's rays are shaped like grain, which is the basis of abundance
and prosperity; the eagle has appeared on the flags of Kazakh tribes
for centuries and represents freedom, power, and the flight to the
future
Kenya
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;
the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield
covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center; black
symbolizes the majority population, red the blood shed in the
struggle for freedom, green stands for natural wealth, and white for
peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom
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 Pacific ocean; the
white stripes represent the three island groups - the Gilbert, Line,
and Phoenix Islands; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert
Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigate bird
symbolizes authority and freedom
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; the
broad red band symbolizes revolutionary traditions; the narrow white
bands stands for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands
signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents
socialism
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; the Korean
national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean
color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents
the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the
opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes
one of the four universal elements, which together express the
principle of movement and harmony
Kosovo
centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of
Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars
arrayed in a slight arc; each star represents one of the major
ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and
Bosniaks
Kuwait
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design
are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents
fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on
Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy
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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz
yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and
wealth
Laos
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and
red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands
recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the
Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon
against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people
under the Pathet Lao, as well as the country's bright future
Latvia
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width),
and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a
medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being
used by Latvian tribes in about 1280
Lebanon
three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white
(middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree
centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for
liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains,
and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and
represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity
Lesotho
three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in
the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and
prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black
Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was
unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence
Liberia
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the
signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue
square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the
freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the
blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color
purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color
steadfastness, valor, and fervor
note: the design is 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; the colors may
derive from the blue and red livery design used in the
principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was
introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti
Lithuania
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and
red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and
goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in
addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and
the blood spilled in defense of the homeland
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; the coloring is derived from the Grand
Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)
Macau
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
the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is
the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula
and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the
flag of China
Macedonia
a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening
rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow
colors have long been associated with Macedonia
Madagascar
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition,
red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity
Malawi
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), black, and green;
a white sun disc is centered on the black band, its surrounding 45
white rays extend partially into the red and green bands; black
represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle
for freedom, and green the color of nature; the sun represents
Malawi's economic progress since attaining independence
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 14-pointed star; the
flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the
14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13
member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star
represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a
traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay
people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers
note: the design is based on the flag of the US
Maldives
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on
the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed
their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle
represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies
Islam
Mali
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and
red
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors
from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Senegal
(which has an additional green central star) and the reverse of
those on the flag of neighboring Guinea
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; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red
and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a
bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested
explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint
John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of
the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the islanders for
their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since
independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared
directly on the white field
Marshall Islands
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower
hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four
large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two
stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe
signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white
stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star
symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates
one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger
rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit,
Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted
as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's
position just to the north
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;
the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara
Mauritius
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow,
and green; red represents the blood shed for independence, blue the
Indian Ocean surrounding the island, yellow has been interpreted as
the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright
future, and green can symbolize either agriculture or the lush
vegetation of the island
Mayotte
unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte
centered on a white field, above which the name of the island
appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of
arms are a blue upper half with white upturned crescent moon and a
red lower half with two yellow ylang-ylang flowers, supported on
either side by a white seahorse, and set above a scroll with the
motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant)
note: the flag of France used for official occasions
Mexico
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; Mexico's coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak
perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band; green signifies
hope, joy, and love; white represents peace and honesty; red stands
for hardiness, bravery, strength, and valor; the coat of arms is
derived from a legend that the wandering Aztec people were to settle
at a location where they would see an eagle on a catus eating a
snake; the city they founded, Tenochtitlan, is now Mexico City
note: similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter, uses lighter
shades of red and green, and does not have anything in its white band
Micronesia, Federated States of
light blue with four white
five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond
pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the
four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
Moldova
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; based on the color scheme of
the flag of Romania - with whom Moldova shares a history and culture
- but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does
not display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse
and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
Monaco
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors
are those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since
1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners
note: 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); blue represents the sky, red symbolizes progress and
prosperity
Montenegro
a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe
with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered; the arms consist of a
double-headed golden eagle - symbolizing the unity of church and
state - surmounted by a crown; the eagle holds a golden scepter in
its right claw and a blue orb in its left; the breast shield over
the eagle shows a golden lion passant on a green field in front of a
blue sky; the lion is symbol of episcopal authority and harks back
to the three and a half centuries that Montenegro was ruled as a
theocracy
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 arms feature a woman in green dress, Erin, the
female personification of Ireland, standing beside a yellow harp and
embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; Erin and the harp
are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry;
blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and
righteousness
Morocco
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known
as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and
green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red
is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian
gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and
signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates
to 1912
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; green represents the riches of
the land, white peace, black the African continent, yellow the
country's minerals, and red the struggle for independence; the rifle
symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe refers to the country's
agriculture, the open book stresses the importance of education, and
the star represents Marxism and internationalism