Burundi

3×5' nylon national flag of Burundi.

Burundi's flag is built on a saltire, the diagonal cross more familiar from Scotland, and its three stars have six points rather than the usual five. Both choices make it one of the most distinctive flags in Africa.

Design

A white saltire divides the field into red triangles at the top and bottom and green triangles at the hoist and fly. At the center is a white disc bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green, arranged in a triangle.

History & Symbolism

The present design was adopted on 28 June 1967, after the monarchy was abolished; the royal flag had shown a drum and a sorghum plant in the disc. The three stars stand for the national motto, "Unity, Work, Progress," and are also read as the country's three peoples, the Hutu, Twa and Tutsi. Red stands for the struggle for independence, green for hope, and white for peace.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 28 June 1967
• Official proportions: 3:5
• Colors: red, green, white
• Emblem: three six-pointed stars

Vexillographer's Note

Burundi's official 3:5 ratio matches the standard American 3×5' flag, so the saltire meets the corners exactly as designed.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864