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Flag of Equatorial Guinea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
UseState and war flag, state and naval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion2:3
AdoptedAugust 21, 1979; 45 years ago (1979-08-21)
DesignA horizontal tricolor of green, white and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the National Coat of arms of Equatorial Guinea centered in the white band.
People with Equatorial Guinea flag
A football fan holding an Equatorial Guinea flag

The flag of Equatorial Guinea (Spanish: Bandera de Guinea Ecuatorial; French: Drapeau de la Guinée équatoriale; Portuguese: Bandeira da Guiné Equatorial) was adopted on August 21, 1979.[1] The six stars on the flag represent Equatorial Guinea's mainland and five islands. Under the rule of dictator Francisco Nguema the flag was modified and a different national emblem was used in it. After he was deposed the original flag was restored.

Features and symbolism

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The flag is a horizontal tricolor, with green, white and red stripes and a blue triangle at the hoist. Green symbolizes the natural resources, agriculture and jungles of the country. Blue symbolizes the sea, which connects the mainland with the islands. White symbolizes peace. Red symbolizes the blood shed by the fighters for independence.[2]

History

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The flag was first flown the day of independence, October 12, 1968, and it showed the national emblem in the center. However, in 1973, during the regime of Francisco Nguema, a different national emblem was used on the flag. Under Nguema's rule, the coat of arms consisted of several tools, a sword and a cockerel. The modified national motto Trabajo (work), and Unidad, Paz, Justicia (Unity, Peace, Justice) was written in two stripes.[3] The original coat of arms was restored after Nguema was deposed on 21 August 1979.[2] The arms consists of a silver shield with a silk-cotton tree, or Ceiba in the local language, which was derived from the arms of Rio Muni. Above the shield is an arc of 6 six-pointed yellow stars, that represent Rio Muni and the offshore islands. Beneath the shield is a silver scroll with the national motto, Unidad, Paz, Justicia ("Unity, Peace, Justice").[4] It is considered that under a silk-cotton tree a treaty was signed between Spain and a local ruler that marked the beginning of the colonial rule.[1]

  • First flag (1968–69).
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag First flag (1968–69).
  • 1969-1973, same as modern flag.
    1969-1973, same as modern flag.
  • Second flag during the rule of Francisco Nguema (1973–79).
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Second flag during the rule of Francisco Nguema (1973–79).
  • Flag used during Spanish colonisation (1785–1931).
    Flag used during Spanish colonisation (1785–1931).

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Flag of Equatorial Guinea". Worldflags. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Whitney (19 July 2013). "flag of Equatorial Guinea". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Equatorial Guinea (1973 - 1979)". Crwflags.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. ^ Anjali Kamath. Flag Book. Popular Prakashan. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-7991-512-7.
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