Flag of Ethiopia

Flag of Ethiopia

Overview

Country Ethiopia
Adopted 1996
Aspect ratio 1:2
Colors
(4)
Elements Stars, horizontal stripes, circle

Description

The design consists of three equal horizontal stripes in green, yellow, and red from top to bottom. Centered upon these bands is a circular blue disc featuring a yellow five-pointed star with five radiating rays. This arrangement maintains a width-to-length ratio of 1:2.

Symbolism

Green represents the fertility of the land and its resources, while yellow signifies hope and the freedom of the people. Red commemorates the blood shed by patriots in defense of the nation's sovereignty. The central blue circle symbolizes peace, and the yellow pentagram represents the equality and unity of Ethiopia's diverse ethnic and religious groups. Radiating lines from the star indicate a bright future and the prosperity of the nation.

History

Emperor Menelik II first introduced the green, yellow, and red horizontal stripes in 1897, though they were originally flown as separate pennants. Throughout the 20th century, various regimes modified the central emblem, including the imperial Lion of Judah and the socialist emblems of the Derg period. The current version, incorporating the blue disc and pentagram, was officially adopted on February 6, 1996, following the transition to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. A slight modification to the shade of blue occurred in 2009 to standardize the design.