Suriname Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Suriname’s flag uses green, white and red horizontal bands with one large yellow star. Its official symbolism focuses on unity, freedom, progress and a shared future.
What does the Suriname flag look like?
The flag has five horizontal bands in the order green, white, red, white and green. A large yellow five-pointed star is centred on the broad red band.
What do the Suriname flag colors mean?
The Government of Suriname gives formal meanings to the design. Green represents the country’s fertility and possibilities for the future. White represents justice and freedom. Red represents renewal and progress. Yellow is associated with sacrifice and confidence in the future.
What does the yellow star mean?
The single star represents the unity of the nation. It was chosen as a shared symbol rather than an emblem for one ethnic, cultural or regional group.
Explore the yellow star symbolism →
What are the flag proportions?
The overall ratio is 2:3. The five bands use a 2:1:4:1:2 height relationship, making the central red stripe twice as deep as either green stripe and four times as deep as each white separator.
When was the flag adopted?
The current flag was introduced at independence on November 25, 1975. Its unifying star reflected the need for a national symbol shared across Suriname’s diverse population.
Read the Suriname flag history →
Suriname flag facts
| Colors | Green, white, red and yellow |
|---|---|
| Central symbol | One yellow five-pointed star |
| Stripe ratio | 2:1:4:1:2 |
| Overall ratio | 2:3 |
| Adopted | November 25, 1975 |
How can you identify Suriname’s flag?
Look for a broad red central stripe with one large yellow star, separated from green outer bands by narrow white stripes. The unusual 2:1:4:1:2 band proportions make the centre visibly wider than the rest.
Why is the star centered on red?
The broad red field represents renewal and progress, while the yellow star represents unity and a shared future. Placing the star at the visual centre reinforces the idea that national unity sits at the heart of the design.
Suriname flag FAQ
How many stars are on Suriname’s flag?
One.
What color is the star?
Yellow.
When was the flag adopted?
November 25, 1975, at independence.
What is the flag ratio?
2:3.
What do the green stripes mean?
They represent fertility and possibilities for the future.
