Flag of Guinea-Bissau

Design and characteristics

The flag consists of a vertical red stripe at the hoist and two horizontal bands to the fly: yellow above green. Centered in the red stripe is a black five‑pointed star. Key graphic features are:

• Vertical red field at the hoist;
• Horizontal yellow (top) and green (bottom) bands on the fly;
• A single black five‑pointed star placed within the red stripe.

Symbolism

The colors and star are commonly interpreted in the context of Pan‑African symbolism and the country’s independence struggle. Red typically refers to the blood shed during the liberation movement, yellow to the nation’s natural wealth or the sun, and green to agricultural land and forests. The black star is a symbol of African unity and liberation, similar in meaning to the black star used on other West African flags.

History and adoption

The design was used by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) during the armed struggle against colonial rule. On declaring independence in 1973, the PAIGC adopted this flag as the national standard. Formal international recognition followed after political changes in Portugal the following year, and the banner has remained a national symbol since that period.

Use, protocol and related facts

The flag appears in official settings, public buildings, and national ceremonies. Protocol for display follows general international practice for national flags: it is flown at government sites and on appropriate civic occasions. The design connects Guinea‑Bissau to broader Pan‑African and liberation movements of the mid‑20th century and bears a close relationship to the emblematic imagery used by the PAIGC.

Comparisons and notable points

While sharing Pan‑African colors with several other African states, Guinea‑Bissau’s layout—a vertical hoist stripe combined with horizontal bands—gives it a distinctive appearance. The black star links it conceptually to other flags that express African unity and anti‑colonial sentiment.