Flag of South Africa

A horizontal design featuring red and blue bands is divided by a central green band that splits into a horizontal 'Y' shape toward the hoist. This green element is bordered by narrow white stripes against the red and blue fields, while a black isosceles triangle at the hoist is outlined by a thin yellow band. The layout maintains a 2:3 aspect ratio and incorporates six distinct colors.

The central 'Y' shape signifies the convergence of diverse social groups into a unified path forward. While the government assigns no official specific meaning to individual colors, the palette combines the red, white, and blue of former colonial flags with the black, green, and yellow associated with liberation movements. These elements together commemorate both the historical heritage and the modern democratic struggle of the South African people.

Adopted on April 27, 1994, this design replaced the previous national flag used since 1928 during the apartheid era. State Herald Frederick Brownell created the layout to mark the transition to democracy and the country's first multiracial elections. The selection process involved a public competition that failed to produce a consensus, necessitating a last-minute commission to finalize the design. Though originally designated as an interim symbol, the design's popularity led to its permanent adoption in the 1996 Constitution.