Mozambique

3×5' nylon national flag of Mozambique.

Mozambique's flag tells the story of its liberation struggle in a single emblem: a book for education, a hoe for the peasants who feed the nation, and a rifle for vigilance and defense.

Design

Three horizontal bands of green, black and yellow, separated by narrow white stripes. A red triangle at the hoist bears a yellow star, on which an open book is crossed by a hoe and an AK-47 rifle.

History & Symbolism

The flag descends from that of FRELIMO, the movement that won independence from Portugal in 1975, and the present design was adopted on 1 May 1983. Green stands for the riches of the land, black for the African continent, yellow for mineral wealth, white for peace, and red for the struggle for independence. The star stands for internationalism.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 1 May 1983
• Official proportions: 2:3
• Colors: green, black, yellow, white, red
• Emblem: star, open book, hoe and AK-47

Vexillographer's Note

Mozambique's is the only national flag to show a modern assault rifle. Proposals to remove it have been debated, most notably in 2005, but the design has not changed.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864