Namibia

3×5' nylon national flag of Namibia.

Namibia's flag was designed to unite former rivals. Chosen from hundreds of proposals before independence in 1990, it blends the colors of the liberation movement SWAPO with those of other parties, under a golden sun.

Design

A red diagonal band edged in white runs from the lower hoist to the upper fly, dividing a blue triangle above from a green triangle below. In the blue is a gold sun with twelve triangular rays.

History & Symbolism

The flag was raised at independence from South African rule on 21 March 1990. Blue stands for the sky, the Atlantic Ocean and the precious value of water and rain; red for the people and their courage; green for vegetation and agriculture; and white for peace and unity. The sun stands for life and energy.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 21 March 1990
• Official proportions: 2:3
• Colors: blue, red, green, white, gold
• Emblem: sun with twelve rays

Vexillographer's Note

The diagonal runs from lower hoist to upper fly. Reversed, the sun lands in the wrong corner, a quick way to spot a misprinted Namibian flag.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864