Democratic Republic of the Congo

3×5' nylon national flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The DR Congo has changed its flag more than most countries, keeping pace with its changes of name and regime. The current sky-blue design, adopted in 2006, revives a flag first used in the 1960s.

Design

A sky-blue field crossed by a red diagonal stripe, edged in narrow yellow, running from the lower hoist to the upper fly. A yellow five-pointed star sits in the upper hoist corner.

History & Symbolism

The flag was adopted in February 2006 under the new constitution, replacing the flag of 1997. It closely follows the flag used from 1963 to 1971, before Mobutu renamed the country Zaire. Sky blue stands for peace, red for the blood of the country's martyrs, yellow for its wealth, and the star for a radiant future.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: February 2006
• Official proportions: 3:4
• Colors: sky blue, red, yellow
• Emblem: five-pointed star

Vexillographer's Note

The official 3:4 ratio is nearly square. Displayed at 3×5', the diagonal runs at a shallower angle than on the official design.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864