Bosnia and Herzegovina

3×5' nylon national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's flag was not chosen by its parliament. When the three communities could not agree on a design after the war, the international High Representative imposed one, in time for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.

Design

A blue field with a large yellow right triangle near the center of the fly. Along its long side runs a diagonal line of nine white five-pointed stars; the first and last are cut in half by the flag's top and bottom edges.

History & Symbolism

The flag was introduced on 4 February 1998 by Carlos Westendorp, the High Representative overseeing the Dayton peace agreement. The triangle suggests the shape of the country, and its three corners the three constituent peoples: Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs. The blue, yellow and stars echo the flag of the Council of Europe and the European Union. The half stars at either end imply that the line continues without end.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 4 February 1998
• Official proportions: 1:2
• Colors: blue, yellow, white
• Stars: seven whole and two halves

Vexillographer's Note

Bosnia and Herzegovina's flag deliberately avoids any symbol tied to a single community. Its neutrality was the whole point of the design.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864