There are several countries that have a red, yellow and green flag. The most well-known of these is the flag of Ethiopia, which has been used in its current form since the late 19th century. Other countries with similar tricolor flags using red, yellow and green include Ghana, Bolivia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali, and Senegal.
The origins and meanings behind these shared colors vary for each nation, but generally red stands for sacrifice or blood, yellow for mineral wealth and/or hope, and green for land and vitality. The pan-African colors of red, yellow, and green date back to Ethiopia’s resistance against Italian occupation in the 19th century, which inspired other African independence movements.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at flags containing red, yellow and green, their history, symbolism, and which countries currently use them.
Ethiopia
The flag of Ethiopia consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, yellow and green. It has been in use in its current form since 31 October 1996. However, the tricolor flag has a much longer history dating back to the 19th century.
Ethiopia is believed to be the oldest independent nation in Africa, having successfully maintained its freedom from colonial rule, apart from a brief occupation by Italy from 1936-1941. In the late 19th century, Ethiopia adopted the tri-color flag to represent the newly unified country. The colors were inspired by the rainbow mentioned in the Biblical story of Noah.
Red stands for blood shed in defense of the nation, yellow represents peace and hope, and green symbolizes the fertility of the land. The central emblem incorporates both Christian and Muslim religious symbols, reflecting Ethiopia’s history as an ancient Christian kingdom that later converted to Islam in some areas.
When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1936, the flag was banned. It was restored in 1941 after Haile Selassie returned from exile and resumed his duties as Emperor. Today, the flag remains an enduring symbol of pride and independence for Ethiopians.
Ghana
The flag of Ghana also consists of the pan-African colors of red, gold, and green in horizontal stripes with a black star in the center. It was adopted on March 6, 1957 to mark Ghana’s independence from British rule.
The red represents the blood shed by Ghanaians during the struggle for independence. The gold band symbolizes the country’s mineral wealth, particularly gold. The green stands for the rich forests and natural wealth of Ghana.
The black star is a symbol of African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism. It is inspired by the Black Star Line shipping company founded by Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey and also refers to Ghana as a “Black star” of Africa.
Bolivia
The national flag of Bolivia features three horizontal bands of red, yellow and green. It was originally adopted in 1851 and then readopted with some modifications in 2009 when a new constitution changed the country’s name to the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
The red color represents Bolivians who have died fighting for their nation, especially during the revolution against Spain led by independence heroes like Simón Bolívar. The yellow band symbolizes the nation’s mineral resources and wealth. The green represents fertility, agriculture and hope for the future.
The flag also features the state coat of arms which consists of a rectangular shield with images reflecting Bolivia’s history and culture. This includes the Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain) silver mine and the llama, which is both native to the Andes and a symbol of the nation.
Lithuania
Lithuania’s national flag consists of equal horizontal bands of yellow, green and red. It was re-adopted in 1988 during the movement for independence from the Soviet Union. The current tricolor design dates back to Lithuania’s short-lived independence in the aftermath of World War I.
The yellow represents the golden fields of Lithuania, the green symbolizes the countryside, and the red commemorates those who lost their lives fighting for the nation’s freedom.
During the Soviet era, Lithuania was not allowed to display its own flag. The yellow-green-red tricolor flag was used by Lithuanian emigres abroad as a symbol of resistance. When independence movements emerged in the late 1980s, protesters began flying the flag illegally until it was formally restored in 1988.
Today, Lithuania’s flag remains a reminder of the nation’s struggle for self-determination in the 20th century. The colors appear frequently on commemorative dates and at remembrance ceremonies honoring those who contributed to independence.
Madagascar
The flag of Madagascar features a white diagonal stripe dividing two horizontal bands of red and green. It has been the national flag since the country gained independence from France in 1960.
The green band represents the native forests and wildlife found on the island of Madagascar, while the red reflects the zeal and courage of the Malagasy people. The white stripe signifies peace and unity between the different ethnic groups of Madagascar.
In the upper hoist-side corner is the national emblem which includes rice sheaves and cattle heads, both important resources for the agricultural economy. The emblem is framed by olive and palm branches, symbolizing peace.
The unique flag reflects Madagascar’s distinctive ecosystem and culture which mixes influences from Southeast Asia, Africa, and France, due to decades of colonial rule before achieving independence in the 20th century.
Mali
The current flag of Mali has three equal vertical bands of green, yellow, and red with a green five-pointed star in the center. This tricolor design was adopted in 1961 as Mali gained freedom from France and established itself as an independent nation.
The pan-African colors reflect Mali’s cultural and historical ties to the rest of the African continent. Green represents fertility and hope, yellow stands for purity and mineral wealth, specifically gold, while red is the blood shed by Malians during their fight for independence from French colonial rule.
The green star in the center is known as the “Nasara star” or “star of Africa” and it represents knowledge, life and light. The star has an additional meaning drawn from the Mande Creation story that describes the origins of the Mande peoples of West Africa, which include the Mandinka, Bamana and Soninke ethnic groups found primarily in Mali.
Senegal
The national flag of Senegal consists of three vertical bands of green, yellow and red with a green five-pointed star in the center. It was adopted in 1960 when Senegal gained independence from France.
The Pan-African colors appeared on earlier versions of the flag used by independence movements. Green represents Islam and the many Senegalese Muslims, yellow symbolizes wealth, prosperity and natural resources, and red commemorates the blood shed for independence.
The green star in the center is inspired by the guiding star in the Senegalese coat of arms. It brings together the major symbols and colors of the flag to represent national unity. The color green reappears in the star to signify Islam once again, the dominant religion practiced in Senegal.
Other Countries with Red, Yellow and Green Flags
In addition to the major examples described above, there are a few other places that incorporate red, yellow and green in their national flags:
– Guinea – The flag has equal bands of red, yellow and green with a green map of Guinea in the center. It was adopted after Guinea gained independence from France in 1958.
– Burkina Faso – The flag features two equal horizontal bands of red and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center, a design adopted in 1984.
– Sierra Leone – Consists of three horizontal bands of green, white and blue. The green represents the country’s natural resources, the white stands for unity and justice, and the blue reflects the natural harbor in the capital Freetown.
– São Tomé and Príncipe – Adopted in 1975, this flag has three horizontal bands of green, yellow and green with two black five-pointed stars centered over the yellow band.
– British Virgin Islands – Their flag, adopted in 1960, has a blue ensign defaced with the coat of arms between the vertical bands of yellow, red and green.
Conclusion
In summary, flags containing red, yellow and green have been adopted by many African nations and independence movements dating back to Ethiopia’s use of the colors in the 19th century. The pan-African colors symbolize sacrifice, hope, and natural wealth.
Ethiopia, Ghana, Bolivia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali and Senegal are examples of countries that currently use the tricolor red, yellow and green motif in their national flags. Each gives the shared colors their own distinct meaning and significance related to local culture, history and values. Looking at these flags provides insight into the identity and aspirations of each nation.
| Country | Red Meaning | Yellow Meaning | Green Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia | Blood shed defending the nation | Peace and hope | Fertility of the land |
| Ghana | Blood shed during independence struggle | Mineral wealth | Forests and natural resources |
| Bolivia | Blood of those who fought for independence | Mineral wealth | Fertility and agriculture |
| Lithuania | Blood of those who fought for freedom | Golden fields | Countryside |
| Madagascar | Courage and zeal of the people | Peace and unity | Forests and wildlife |
| Mali | Blood shed for independence | Purity and gold | Fertility and hope |
| Senegal | Blood shed for independence | Wealth and prosperity | Islam |
