Ethiopia’s national flag has horizontal green, yellow and red bands with a blue disc and yellow star emblem at the centre. Its color combination has influenced flags across Africa and the wider Pan-African movement.

What do the colors mean?

Green, yellow and red have been used by Ethiopia for generations and became symbols of African independence because Ethiopia largely avoided colonial rule. The central star and radiating lines represent unity among the country’s peoples and equality among citizens.

History

The tricolour has deep imperial-era roots, while the current blue-disc emblem was introduced under the federal constitution in the 1990s. The present flag dates from 1996.

• Colors: green, yellow and red
• Current emblem: yellow star on blue disc
• Current design: 1996