Burkina Faso’s flag has two equal horizontal bands, red above green, with a yellow five-pointed star in the centre.

History

The design was adopted in 1984 under President Thomas Sankara when the country changed its name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso. The new flag was intended to mark a revolutionary break with the colonial-era state.

Meaning

Red is associated with revolution and sacrifice, green with the country’s land and agricultural potential, and the yellow star with the guiding ideals of the revolution.

• Adopted: 1984
• Colors: red, green and yellow
• Central symbol: yellow star