Flag of Zambia

Republic of Zambia
UseNational flag and 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
Proportion2:3
Adopted24 October 1964; 60 years ago (1964-10-24) (modified in 1996)
DesignA green field with an orange coloured eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes coloured from left to right in red, black and orange
Designed byGabriel Ellison

The national flag of Zambia was adopted upon independence on 24 October 1964, by the first Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda. Before that, Zambia was the British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia and used a defaced Blue Ensign as its flag.[1]

The current flag is used as both national flag[2] and ensign.[3] It is green with an orange-coloured African fish eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes, coloured, from left to right: red, black and orange. The placement of the eagle and block of stripes at the flag's fly is notable as most emblems and devices on flags are placed at centre or at the hoist. Green stands for the nation's agriculture and lush flora,[4] red for the nation's struggle for freedom,[4] black for the Zambian people and all black Africans,[4] and orange for the land's copper,[4] natural resources in general, and mineral wealth. Additionally, the eagle flying above the coloured stripes is intended to represent freedom and the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.[4]

The Zambian flag was slightly modified in 1996. The shade of green used in the 1964 flag was replaced with brighter and lighter green and the eagle was slightly altered so as to be more like the one used in the Zambian coat of arms.[5]

  1. ^ "Republic of Zambia, e-pamozi portal". E-pamozi portal. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. ^ "National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act" (PDF). Zambia: Ministry of Legal Affairs, Government of the Republic of Zambia. 4 June 1965. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Merchant Shipping (Temporary Provisions) Act" (PDF). Ministry of Legal Affairs, Government of the Republic of Zambia. 4 May 1969. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e Smith, Whitney (16 February 2001). "flag of Zambia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Zambia Flag (Download SVG, PNG)". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.