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Republic of the Congo

Africa

Quick Facts

Capital

Brazzaville

Population

5.8M

Area

342,000 km²

Density

17 /km²

Median age

19.9 yrs

Description

Adoption

15 September 1959 (adopted by the autonomous republic, 67 years)
1970-1991 (eclipsed by a red flag, under the Marxist regime)
10 June 1991 (restored).

Designed byNo individual designer established; flag chosen by the Legislative Assembly in 1959.

Design & Symbolism

Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.

Proportions

2:3

Shape

Rectangular

Colors

Green#009543 · Pantone 355 C

Green represents the country's agriculture and forests.

Yellow#FBDE4A · Pantone 116 C

Yellow symbolises the friendship and nobility of the people.

Red#DC241F · Pantone 186 C

Red was given no official meaning at adoption; in Pan-African tradition it evokes the blood of the struggle.

Construction details

Proportions 2:3. A diagonal design from the lower hoist corner: a green triangle above, a broad yellow diagonal band, a red triangle below. These are the Pan-African colours, borrowed from Ethiopia.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — Republic of the Congo

The flag is honoured on 15 August, Independence Day.
It was eclipsed from 1970 to 1991 by a Marxist-inspired red flag, before being restored.

Common conventions

Keep the flag clean and never let it touch the ground.
Never fly a torn or faded flag — repair or replace it.
Illuminate the flag if it stays up at night.
Never use the flag as clothing, packaging or advertising.
Dispose of a worn flag respectfully, not in the trash.

Did you know?

It is the only national flag built on a fully diagonal composition: green triangle, yellow band, red triangle.

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On the blog

One article covers this flag.

Why Do So Many African Flags Share the Same Colours?

Green, yellow, red. Across Africa, these three colours appear again and again. Their story leads back to Ethiopia, a victory that became a symbol, and the African independence movements of the 20th century.

5 min read