South Sudan

3×5' nylon national flag of South Sudan.

South Sudan is the world's newest nation, and its flag was raised at independence on 9 July 2011. It had been carried for decades before that by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Design

Three horizontal bands of black, red and green, separated by narrow white stripes, with a blue triangle at the hoist bearing a gold five-pointed star.

History & Symbolism

Black stands for the people of South Sudan, red for the blood shed for freedom, green for the land, and white for peace. The blue triangle stands for the waters of the Nile, and the star, often called the Star of Bethlehem, for the unity of the states of South Sudan.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 9 July 2011
• Official proportions: 1:2
• Colors: black, red, green, white, blue, gold
• Emblem: gold star

Vexillographer's Note

The black, red and green with white edging echo Kenya's flag, a sign of shared East African liberation symbolism.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864