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Rwanda

Africa

Quick Facts

Capital

Kigali

Population

13.0M

Area

26,338 km²

Density

494 /km²

Median age

20.6 yrs

Description

Adoption

25 October 2001 (new flag, 25 years). It replaced the 1962 flag, associated with a painful past.

Designed byAlphonse Kirimobenecyo (2001), who also composed the national anthem.

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

Blue#00A1DE · Pantone 2925 C

Blue depicts happiness and peace.

Yellow#FAD201 · Pantone 116 C

Yellow depicts economic development.

Green#20603D · Pantone 348 C

Green depicts the hope of prosperity and natural resources; the golden sun, unity and enlightenment.

Symbols & elements

Sun

A golden sun with twenty-four rays for enlightenment and the unity that must guard against ignorance. The flag was entirely redesigned in 2001 to break with the emblems of the genocide period.

Construction details

Proportions 2:3. Three horizontal bands, blue (double height) on top, yellow, green, with a golden twenty-four-ray sun in the upper fly corner.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — Rwanda

The flag is honoured on 1 July (Independence Day) and 4 July (Liberation Day).
It flies on public buildings and at official ceremonies.

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 was adopted in 2001 to replace an earlier flag, to break clearly with a painful past.

Test your knowledge!

Can you recognize this flag in Flag Reveal?

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