Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (115)

Italy
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; design inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon
in 1797; colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the
green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard
note: similar to the flag of Mexico, which is longer, uses darker
shades of red and green, and has its coat of arms centered on the
white band; Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side),
white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire,
which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green

Jamaica
diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -
green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green
represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects
hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden
sunshine and the island's natural resources

Jan Mayen
the flag of Norway is used

Japan
white with a large red disk (representing the sun without
rays) in the center

Jersey
white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of
the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red
shield with three lions in yellow; according to tradition, the ships
of Jersey - in an attempt to differentiate themselves from English
ships flying the horizontal cross of St. George - rotated the cross
to the "X" (saltire) configuration; because this arrangement still
resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, the yellow Plantagenet
crown and Jersey coat of arms were added

Jordan
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the
Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and
green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle
on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and
bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven
verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven
points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national
spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is
based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Kazakhstan
a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe
eagle, both centered on a sky blue background; the hoist side
displays a national ornamental pattern "koshkar-muiz" (the horns of
the ram) in gold; the blue color is of religious significance to the
Turkic peoples of the country, and so symbolizes cultural and ethnic
unity; it also represents the endless sky as well as water; the sun,
a source of life and energy, exemplifies wealth and plenitude; the
sun's rays are shaped like grain, which is the basis of abundance
and prosperity; the eagle has appeared on the flags of Kazakh tribes
for centuries and represents freedom, power, and the flight to the
future

Kenya
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;
the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield
covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center; black
symbolizes the majority population, red the blood shed in the
struggle for freedom, green stands for natural wealth, and white for
peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom

Kiribati
the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying
over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three
horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the Pacific ocean; the
white stripes represent the three island groups - the Gilbert, Line,
and Phoenix Islands; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert
Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigate bird
symbolizes authority and freedom

Korea, North
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple
width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side
of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star; the
broad red band symbolizes revolutionary traditions; the narrow white
bands stands for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands
signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents
socialism

Korea, South
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the
center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching
(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the Korean
national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean
color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents
the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the
opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes
one of the four universal elements, which together express the
principle of movement and harmony

Kosovo
centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of
Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars
arrayed in a slight arc; each star represents one of the major
ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and
Bosniaks

Kuwait
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design
are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents
fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on
Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy

Kyrgyzstan
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz
yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and
wealth

Laos
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and
red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands
recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the
Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon
against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people
under the Pathet Lao, as well as the country's bright future

Latvia
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width),
and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world; a
medieval chronicle mentions a red standard with a white stripe being
used by Latvian tribes in about 1280

Lebanon
three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white
(middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree
centered in the white band; the red bands symbolize blood shed for
liberation, the white band denotes peace, the snow of the mountains,
and purity; the green cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon and
represents eternity, steadiness, happiness, and prosperity

Lesotho
three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in
the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and
prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black
Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was
unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence

Liberia
11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue
square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the
signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue
square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the
freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the
blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color
purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color
steadfastness, valor, and fervor
note: the design is based on the US flag

Libya
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the
state religion)

Liechtenstein
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may
derive from the blue and red livery design used in the
principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was
introduced in 1937 to distinguish the flag from that of Haiti

Lithuania
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and
red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and
goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in
addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and
the blood spilled in defense of the homeland

Luxembourg
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a
darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand
Duke's coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field)

Macau
green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in
white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in
the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is
the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula
and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the
flag of China

Macedonia
a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening
rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow
colors have long been associated with Macedonia

Madagascar
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a
vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition,
red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity

Malawi
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), black, and green;
a white sun disc is centered on the black band, its surrounding 45
white rays extend partially into the red and green bands; black
represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle
for freedom, and green the color of nature; the sun represents
Malawi's economic progress since attaining independence

Malaysia
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the
flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the
14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13
member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star
represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a
traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay
people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers
note: the design is based on the flag of the US

Maldives
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on
the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed
their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle
represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies
Islam

Mali
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and
red
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors
from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Senegal
(which has an additional green central star) and the reverse of
those on the flag of neighboring Guinea

Malta
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the
upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,
edged in red; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red
and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a
bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested
explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint
John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of
the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the islanders for
their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since
independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared
directly on the white field

Marshall Islands
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower
hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four
large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two
stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe
signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white
stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star
symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates
one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger
rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit,
Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted
as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's
position just to the north

Mauritania
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,
horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the
crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam;
the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara

Mauritius
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow,
and green; red represents the blood shed for independence, blue the
Indian Ocean surrounding the island, yellow has been interpreted as
the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright
future, and green can symbolize either agriculture or the lush
vegetation of the island

Mayotte
unofficial, local flag with the coat of arms of Mayotte
centered on a white field, above which the name of the island
appears in red capital letters; the main elements of the coat of
arms are a blue upper half with white upturned crescent moon and a
red lower half with two yellow ylang-ylang flowers, supported on
either side by a white seahorse, and set above a scroll with the
motto RA HACHIRI (We are Vigilant)
note: the flag of France used for official occasions

Mexico
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
red; Mexico's coat of arms (an eagle with a snake in its beak
perched on a cactus) is centered in the white band; green signifies
hope, joy, and love; white represents peace and honesty; red stands
for hardiness, bravery, strength, and valor; the coat of arms is
derived from a legend that the wandering Aztec people were to settle
at a location where they would see an eagle on a catus eating a
snake; the city they founded, Tenochtitlan, is now Mexico City
note: similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter, uses lighter
shades of red and green, and does not have anything in its white band

Micronesia, Federated States of
light blue with four white
five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond
pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the
four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

Moldova
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined
in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its
beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow
scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided
horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and
crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of
the flag of Romania - with whom Moldova shares a history and culture
- but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does
not display any coat of arms
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse
and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia

Monaco
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the colors
are those of the ruling House of Grimaldi and have been in use since
1339, making the flag one of the world's oldest national banners
note: similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag
of Poland which is white (top) and red

Mongolia
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and
red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national
emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol); blue represents the sky, red symbolizes progress and
prosperity

Montenegro
a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe
with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered; the arms consist of a
double-headed golden eagle - symbolizing the unity of church and
state - surmounted by a crown; the eagle holds a golden scepter in
its right claw and a blue orb in its left; the breast shield over
the eagle shows a golden lion passant on a green field in front of a
blue sky; the lion is symbol of episcopal authority and harks back
to the three and a half centuries that Montenegro was ruled as a
theocracy

Montserrat
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag; the arms feature a woman in green dress, Erin, the
female personification of Ireland, standing beside a yellow harp and
embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; Erin and the harp
are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry;
blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and
righteousness

Morocco
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known
as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and
green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red
is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian
gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and
signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates
to 1912

Mozambique
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and
yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the
black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow
five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black
superimposed on an open white book; green represents the riches of
the land, white peace, black the African continent, yellow the
country's minerals, and red the struggle for independence; the rifle
symbolizes defense and vigilance, the hoe refers to the country's
agriculture, the open book stresses the importance of education, and
the star represents Marxism and internationalism

Namibia
a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the
flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the
upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow,
12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red
signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build
a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace,
unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky
and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and
rain; the yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes
vegetation and agricultural resources

Nauru
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the
center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the
hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates
the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow
stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru

Navassa Island
the flag of the US is used

Nepal
red with a blue border around the unique shape of two
overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a
white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle displays a white
12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (Nepal's
national flower) and is a sign of victory and bravery, the blue
border signifies peace and harmony; the two right triangles are a
combination of two single pennons (pennants) that originally
symbolized the Himalaya Mountains while their charges represented
the families of the king (upper) and the prime minister, but today
they are understood to denote Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's
two main religions; the moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese
people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas, while the
sun depicts the heat and higher temperatures of the lower parts of
Nepal; the moon and the sun are also said to express the hope that
the nation will endure as long as these heavenly bodies
note: Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not
rectangular or square

Netherlands
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue
and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange,
who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter
half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but
because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was
eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the
oldest tricolor in continuous use

New Caledonia
the flag of France is used

New Zealand
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in
the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross
constellation

Nicaragua
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and
blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the
coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner
is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic
of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between
the two bodies of water
note: similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round
emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA
CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band

Niger
three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green
with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band
denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for
purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and
productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River;
the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the
people
note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel
centered in the white band

Nigeria
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
green; the color green represents the forests and abundant natural
wealth of the country, white stands for peace and unity

Niue
yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars -
a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each
arm of the bold red cross; the larger star stands for Niue, the
smaller stars recall the Southern Cross constellation on the New
Zealand flag and symbolize links with that country; yellow
represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warmth and friendship
between Niue and New Zealand

Norfolk Island
three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white,
and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in
the slightly wider white band; green stands for the rich vegetation
on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a
symbol of Norfolk Island
note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of
only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in
the central white band

Northern Mariana Islands
blue, with a white, five-pointed star
superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone
used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath; blue
symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth;
the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the
native Chamorro culture

Norway
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors
recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white)
and Sweden (blue)

Oman
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width
with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national
emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed
swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the
vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls
battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel
Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

Pakistan
green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of
religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and
star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color
green are traditional symbols of Islam

Palau
light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the
hoist side; the blue color represents the ocean, the disk represents
the moon; Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for
human activity; it is also considered a symbol of peace, love, and
tranquility

Panama
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are
white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and
plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and
white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red
colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and
Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the
blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the
red star signifies authority and law

Papua New Guinea
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner;
the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise
centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed
stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered; red, black, and
yellow are traditional colors of Papua New Guinea; the bird of
paradise - endemic to the island of New Guinea - is an emblem of
regional tribal culture and represents the emergence of Papua New
Guinea as a nation; the Southern Cross, visible in the night sky,
symbolizes Papua New Guinea's connection with Australia and several
other countries in the South Pacific

Paraguay
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue
with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the
emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the
left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star
within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY,
all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears
a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of
Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red
symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and
peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity
note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the
Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their
obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia

Peru
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna (representing fauna), a cinchona
tree (the source of quinine, signifying flora), and a yellow
cornucopia spilling out coins (denoting mineral wealth); red recalls
blood shed for independence, white symbolizes peace

Philippines
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a
white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of
the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each
corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star;
blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white
equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first
eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars
represent the three major geographical divisions of the country:
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at
the top

Pitcairn Islands
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered
on the outer half of the flag; the green, yellow, and blue of the
shield represents the island rising from the ocean; the green field
features a yellow anchor surmounted by a bible (both the anchor and
the bible were items found on the HMS Bounty); sitting on the crest
is a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow from which springs a slip of miro
(a local plant)

Poland
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; colors
derive from the Polish emblem - a white eagle on a red field
note: similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red
(top) and white

Portugal
two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and
red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere
and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations
for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation
has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the
nation

Puerto Rico
five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist
side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the
white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle
signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the
government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red
symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents
liberty, victory, and peace
note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the
Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Qatar
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on
the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars,
white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies
Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake
of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916
note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE
and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was
formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun
and the new shade was eventually adopted

Romania
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; modeled after the flag of France, the colors are those of the
principalities of Walachia (red and yellow) and Moldavia (red and
blue), which united in 1861 to form Romania; the national coat of
arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed
note: now similar to the flag of Chad, whose blue band is darker;
also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Russia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
note: the colors may have been based on those of the Dutch flag;
despite many popular interpretations, there is no official meaning
assigned to the colors of the Russian flag; this flag inspired other
Slav countries to adopt horizontal tricolors of the same colors but
in different arrangements, and so red, blue, and white became the
Pan-Slav colors

Rwanda
three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width),
yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end
of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow
economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity
and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as
enlightenment and transparency from ignorance

Saint Barthelemy
the flag of France is used

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
blue with the flag of
the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian
shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the upper third of
the shield depicts a white plover (wire bird) on a yellow field; the
remainder of the shield depicts a rocky coastline on the left,
offshore is a three-masted sailing ship with sails furled but flying
an English flag

Saint Kitts and Nevis
divided diagonally from the lower hoist side
by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the
black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the
lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red
symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes
year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of
the people; the white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and
Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and
optimism

Saint Lucia
blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black
arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border; the
blue color represents the sky and sea, gold stands for sunshine and
prosperity, and white and black the racial composition of the island
(with the latter being dominant); the two major triangles invoke the
twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), cone-shaped volcanic plugs
that are a symbol of the island

Saint Martin
the flag of France is used

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing
the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white,
wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line
divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a
vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called
ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the
corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four
sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine
pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized
yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three
heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque
Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the blue on the main portion
of the flag symbolizes the Atlantic Ocean and the stylized ship
represents the Grande Hermine in which Jacques Cartier "discovered"
the islands in 1536
note: the flag of France used for official occasions

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
three vertical bands of blue (hoist
side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three
green diamonds arranged in a V pattern, which stands for Vincent;
the diamonds recall the islands as the "Gems of the Antilles"; blue
conveys the colors of a tropical sky and crystal waters, yellow
signifies the golden Grenadine sands, and green represents lush
vegetation

Samoa
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant
bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern
Cross constellation; red stands for courage, blue represents
freedom, and white signifies purity

San Marino
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue
with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the main
colors derive from the shield of the coat of arms, which features
three white towers on three peaks on a blue field; the towers
represent three castles built on San Marino's highest feature Mount
Titano: Guaita, Cesta, and Montale; the coat of arms is flanked by a
wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS
(Liberty); the white and blue colors are also said to stand for
peace and liberty respectively

Sao Tome and Principe
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow
(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed
side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles
triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's
rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and
yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural
products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the
Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as
"There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a
white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design
dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with
the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932; the flag
is manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the
Shahada reads - and the sword points - correctly from right to left
on both sides
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse
and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay

Senegal
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,
and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow
band; green represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies
natural wealth and progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and
determination; the star denotes unity and hope
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors
from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the
reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea

Serbia
three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white
- the Pan-Slav colors representing freedom and revolutionary ideals;
charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the
hoist side; the principal field of the coat of arms represents the
Serbian state and displays a white two-headed eagle on a red shield;
a smaller red shield on the eagle represents the Serbian nation, and
is divided into four quarters by a white cross; a white Cyrillic "C"
in each quarter stands for the phrase "Only Unity Saves the Serbs";
a royal crown surmounts the coat of arms
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of
Russia

Seychelles
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red,
white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist
side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country
moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun
giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for
the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony,
green the land and natural environment

Sierra Leone
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and
blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural
resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and
the natural harbor in Freetown

Singapore
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near
the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent
(closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five
white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes
brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the
waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy;
the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace,
progress, justice, and equality

Sint Maarten
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a
white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the
triangle displays the Sint Maarten coat of arms; the arms consist of
an orange-bordered blue shield prominently displaying the white
court house in Philipsburg, as well as a bouquet of yellow sage (the
national flower) in the upper left, and the silhouette of a
Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; the shield is
surmounted by a yellow rising sun in front of which is a Brown
Pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield bears the motto:
SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing); the three main colors are
identical to those on the Dutch flag
note: the flag somewhat resembles that of the Philippines, but with
the main red and blue bands reversed; the banner more closely evokes
the wartime Philippine flag

Slovakia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
derive from the Pan-Slav colors; the Slovakian coat of arms
(consisting of a red shield bordered in white and bearing a white
Cross of Lorraine surmounting three blue hills) is centered over the
bands but offset slightly to the hoist side
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of
Russia

Slovenia
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red,
derive from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola; the
Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's
highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;
beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and
above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted
triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of
Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early
15th centuries) appears in the upper hoist side of the flag centered
on the white and blue bands

Solomon Islands
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue
with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the
lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean; green the land;
and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island
groups of the Solomon Islands

Somalia
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the
center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the
UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian
Ocean; the five points of the star represent the five regions in the
horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former
British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up
Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the Northern Frontier
District (Kenya)

South Africa
two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue
separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y,
the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y
embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are
separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are
separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes;
the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands
for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African
society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green
are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red,
white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and
the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era
note: the South African flag is the only national flag to display
six colors as part of its primary design

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
blue, with the flag of the
UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South
Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion rampant,
holding a torch; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left
and a Macaroni penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the
crest, and below the shield on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM
PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land)); the lion
with the torch represents the UK and discovery; the background of
the shield, blue and white estoiles, are found in the coat of arms
of James Cook, discoverer of the islands; all the outer supporting
animals represented are native to the islands

Spain
three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width),
and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the
yellow band; the coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of
the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left,
Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by
the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield; the arms are
framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which
are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the
eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar; the red scroll across the
two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further
beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe; the triband
arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer
dates to the 18th century
note: the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest
Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre

Sri Lanka
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has
two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other
larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a dark red
rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each
corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag
and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese
ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword
demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves -
symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for
the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and
equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green the Sri Lankan
Moors; dark red represents the European Burghers, but also refers to
the rich colonial background of the country; yellow denotes other
ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag

Sudan
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; colors and
design based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I, but the
meanings of the colors are expressed as follows: red signifies the
struggle for freedom, white is the color of peace, light, and love,
black represents Sudan itself (in Arabic 'Sudan' means black), green
is the color of Islam, agriculture, and prosperity

Suriname
five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white,
red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large,
yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands
for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white
signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity
of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws
strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden
future

Svalbard
the flag of Norway is used

Swaziland
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),
and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band
is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff
decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands
for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow
the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff
symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and
white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people
living in peaceful coexistence

Sweden
blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in
the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those
of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field

Switzerland
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the
center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various
medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white
cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation
is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)

Syria
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;
two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered
in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation
flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody
struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical
to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the
two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the
current design dates to 1980
note: similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band,
Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band,
and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the
white band

Taiwan
red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and
white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates
to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party;
blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for
fraternity, sacrifice, and nationaliam, white represents equality,
frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are
those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each
ray equals two hours)
note: somewhat resembles the flag of Burma

Tajikistan
three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of
white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold,
five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe; red
represents the sun, victory, and the unity of the nation, white
stands for purity, cotton, and mountain snows, while green is the
color of Islam and the bounty of nature; the crown symbolizes the
Tajik people; the seven stars signify the Tajik magic word "seven" -
a symbol of perfection and the embodiment of happiness

Tanzania
divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the
lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green
and the lower triangle is blue; the banner combines colors found on
the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; green represents the natural
vegetation of the country, gold its rich mineral deposits, black the
native Swahili people, and blue the country's many lakes and rivers,
as well as the Indian Ocean

Thailand
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the
blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism;
blue stands for the monarchy
note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue and red
colors reversed

Timor-Leste
red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that
extends to the center of the flag; a white star - pointing to the
upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black
triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past;
black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome; red
stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star
symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light

Togo
five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)
alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square
is in the upper hoist-side corner; the five horizontal stripes stand
for the five different regions of the country; the red square is
meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people; green
symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture; yellow represents
mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring
prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and
Togo's independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Tokelau
a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails
toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white,
five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents
the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the
country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates
happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on
which the community relies

Tonga
red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper
hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity
in Tonga; red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice;
white signifies purity

Trinidad and Tobago
red with a white-edged black diagonal band from
the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the
elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of
the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea
surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations,
and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the
vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people

Tunisia
red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent
nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; resembles the Ottoman
flag (red banner with white crescent and star) and recalls Tunisia's
history as part of the Ottoman Empire; red represents the blood shed
by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for
peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
note: the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state
to the Ottoman Empire

Turkey
red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion
is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just
outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely
resemble those on the banner of Ottoman Empire, which preceded
modern-day Turkey; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for
the Turks, as well as being traditional symbols of Islam; according
to legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star
in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors

Turkmenistan
green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist
side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing
carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five white stars
and a white crescent moon appear in the upper corner of the field
just to the fly side of the red stripe; the green color and crescent
moon represent Islam; the five stars symbolize the regions or
welayats of Turkmenistan; the guls reflect the national identity of
Turkmenistan where carpet-making has long been a part of traditional
nomadic life
note: the flag of Turkmenistan is the most intricate of all national
flags

Turks and Caicos Islands
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer
half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a
spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus - three common elements of the
islands' biota