Timor-Leste Flag Meaning: Red, Yellow, Black & White Star
Timor-Leste’s Constitution gives explicit meanings to the colors and star on the national flag, making its symbolism unusually well defined in law.
What does the Timor-Leste flag look like?
The flag is red with two overlapping triangles at the hoist: a larger yellow triangle and a smaller black triangle. A white five-pointed star sits inside the black triangle.
What does yellow mean?
The Constitution states that yellow represents the traces of colonialism in Timor-Leste’s history.
What does black mean?
Black represents the obscurantism that must be overcome.
What does red mean?
Red represents the struggle for national liberation.
What does white mean?
White represents peace.
What does the white star mean?
The Constitution describes the white star as the light that guides. One point of the star is directed toward the upper fly side of the flag.
Why are the triangles layered?
The overlapping black and yellow triangles visually compress colonialism, oppression and liberation into the hoist area, while the red field and white star carry the design toward independence and peace.
Quick summary
| Yellow | Traces of colonialism |
|---|---|
| Black | Obscurantism to be overcome |
| Red | Struggle for national liberation |
| White | Peace |
| Star | The light that guides |
