Zambia

3×5' nylon national flag of Zambia.

Zambia's flag breaks a basic rule of flag design: its emblem is at the fly, not the hoist. The African fish eagle and the stripes beneath it sit at the far edge, where they show best when the flag is flying.

Design

A green field. In the lower fly is a block of three vertical stripes of red, black and orange, and above it an orange African fish eagle in flight.

History & Symbolism

The flag was adopted at independence from Britain on 24 October 1964; its green was lightened in 1996. Green stands for the land and natural resources, red for the struggle for freedom, black for the people, and orange for the country's copper and mineral wealth. The eagle stands for the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 24 October 1964
• Official proportions: 2:3
• Colors: green, red, black, orange
• Emblem: African fish eagle

Vexillographer's Note

Placing the emblem at the fly is rare among national flags. Hang it with the eagle at the outer edge, away from the pole.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864