Different Country Flags with Black in 2024

Written by Drew Wood
Updated: August 15, 2023
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Flags are powerful symbols that represent the history and identity of a nation. They often incorporate a range of colors that hold deep meaning and significance. One color feature in national flags is black. This color is associated with a range of symbolic meanings, including power, authority, and sophistication. In this article, we will take a look at some of the national flags that feature the color black as a major design element. We can alsoexplore the symbolic significance of this color in each of these flags.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan has had 19 flags since winning a war against Great Britain in 1919. Its most recent flag was adopted with the return to power of the Taliban at the end of the 2001-2021 war. It consists of a white field with the shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, written in black. Resistance groups and countries opposed to the Taliban continue to recognize the previous flag of Afghanistan. That flag has vertical black, red, and green stripes with the national emblem in white at the center.

the flag of Afghanistan

It consists of a white field with the

shahada,

the Islamic declaration of faith, written in black.

©Tatohra/Shutterstock.com

Albania

Albania flies a flag with a black double-headed eagle in the center of a bright red field. The eagle was used in the heralds of several aristocratic families in Albania and became the country’s national symbol. Albania’s flag was modified under Nazi and Communist rule in the past century. It returned to its historic design in 1991.

The eagle was used in the heralds of several aristocratic families in Albania and became the country’s national symbol.

©iStock.com/dikobraziy

Angola

The flag of the Republic of Angola has two horizontal bands of red and black, representing the blood shed to achieve freedom and the continent of Africa, respectively. Overlaid in the center is a machete and half-gear design along with a five-pointed star. This is reminiscent of the hammer and sickle design used on the flag of the Soviet Union. Proposals to change the flag in 1996 and 2003 were not approved.

Flag of Angola

The flag of the Republic of Angola has two horizontal bands of red and black, representing the blood shed to achieve freedom.

©iStock.com/Muhammad Fadlan

Antigua and Barbuda

This Caribbean island nation flies a flag with an inverted isosceles triangle on a red field, with the triangle divided into black, blue, and white bands and a rising sun in the black band. In this flag, black represents the African ancestry of the people.

flag of antigua and barbuda

In this flag, black represents the African ancestry of the people.

©nortongo/Shutterstock.com

Bahamas

The flag of the Bahamas consists of a black triangle based on the hoist with three broad horizontal bands: a golden one in the center with aquamarine ones above and below. The colors of the flag are all richly symbolic. The black represents the strength of the people. Gold stands for the sun and the country’s mineral resources. Aquamarine symbolizes the sea that surrounds and protects the islands.

Flag of the Bahamas

The black represents the strength of the people.

©Sparrowbh/Shutterstock.com

Barbados

The flag of Barbados is a triband design. Presenting a central vertical band of gold and bands of ultramarine on the left and right sides. These represent the ocean, sky, and sand characteristic of the island. Centered in the golden band is the black head of a trident. This is a symbol of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. It is broken to represent the broken ties between Barbados and the United Kingdom, which ruled it as a colony.

Flag of Barbados

Centered in the golden band is the black head of a trident. This is a symbol of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.

©iStock.com/pavlofox

Belgium

Belgium’s national flag consists of three equal vertically oriented bands of black, yellow, and red. The design is similar to that of the flag of France. The colors were drawn from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant.  

Flag of Belgium

The colors were drawn from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant.

©Faievych Vasyl/Shutterstock.com

Botswana

Botswana’s flag is a solid field of sky blue divided by a black horizontal band of black with narrow white borders. Unlike most African flags, it does not use the Pan-African colors of green, yellow, and red. Light blue represents life-giving rainwater. Black and white stand for both the two dominant races of Botswana and the stripes of the zebra, the country’s national animal.  

Botswana 3D waving flag illustration. Texture can be used as background.

Black and white stand for both the two dominant races of Botswana and the stripes of the zebra, the country’s national animal.

©Stockphotos RBL/Shutterstock.com

Brunei

The flag of Brunei includes white and black diagonal bands oriented horizontally on a yellow field, with the red crest of Brunei superimposed. Yellow, a traditional symbol of royalty in Southeast Asia, honors the sultan of Brunei. The white and black stripes honor the sultan’s two senior advisors.

Brunei flag

The white and black stripes honor the sultan’s two senior advisors.

©Anastassiia Guseva/Shutterstock.com

Dominica

An unusual feature of the flag of Dominica is its use of purple representing the national bird, the sisserou parrot. The bird is situated in a red circle in the center of a field of green divided into quadrants by stripes of yellow, black, and white. The colors of the flag represent the country’s lush vegetation, the population, the fertile soil and pure water.

Dominica flag background illustration green yellow black red sisserou parrot

The colors of the flag represent the country’s lush vegetation, the population, the fertile soil and pure water.

©iStock.com/Nigel Stripe

East Timor

The flag of East Timor consists of a red field with the black isosceles triangle outlined with a larger yellow one based on the hoist-side. It includes a white five-pointed star in the center of the black triangle. The constitution specifies that the yellow represents colonialism. The black represents “obscurantism” to be overcome, red stands for the struggle for freedom, and white symbolizes peace.

The flag of Timor-Leste

The black represents “obscurantism” to be overcome, red stands for the struggle for freedom, and white symbolizes peace.

©Digiart CT/Shutterstock.com

Egypt

The Egyptian flag is a tricolor design with broad horizontal bands of red, white, and black with Egypt’s national emblem in the center of the white band. The colors of the flag are Pan-Arab colors, showing Egypt’s unity with the Arab world. Red represents the blood of those who have fought for the country; white stands for the purity of their hearts; black represents overcoming darkness. Egypt’s flag is very similar in design to those of Iraq, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen.

Egyptian flag

Red represents the blood of those who fought for the country; white stands for the purity of their hearts; black represents overcoming darkness.

©H.studio/Shutterstock.com

Estonia

Estonia’s flag is a tricolor of blue, black, and white. These colors symbolize respectively: the sky; the soil and the dark past; and purity and hard work. This historic flag was replaced during the occupation of Estonia by the Soviet Union, but restored when Estonia regained its independence in 1991.

Flag of Estonia

These colors symbolize respectively: the sky; the soil and the dark past; and purity and hard work.

©Steve Allen/Shutterstock.com

Eswatini

Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, has a complex and meaningful flag. It includes a black and white shield, a staff, and two spears on a red field, bounded by yellow and blue stripes above and below. An ox-hide shield is a traditional part of the gear of Swazi warriors. It is depicted in black and white on the flag to show that the two main races of people in the country live in harmony. Red stands for the battles of the past; blue for peace and stability; and yellow for the natural resources of the country.

flag of Eswatini

An ox-hide shield is a traditional part of the gear of Swazi warriors. It is depicted in black and white on the flag to show the two main races.

©Hybrid Gfx/Shutterstock.com

Germany

Germany’s flag displays the national colors: black, red, and gold in three horizontal bands, making it a tricolor flag. These colors were a part of the 1840’s incorporation by liberal opponents of the conservative order in Europe. During the years of communism, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) flew its own flag reflecting its socialist orientation. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became the flag of the combined nation.

German flag

Germany’s flag displays the national colors: black, red, and gold in three horizontal bands, making it a tricolor flag.

©H.studio/Shutterstock.com

Guinea-Bissau

The adoption of the flag of Guinea-Bissau starts with the independence from Portugal in 1973. The main color elements of the flag are in horizontal bands of green, yellow, and red, representing forests, mineral wealth, and heroes’ blood. However, we’re including it on this list because it includes a black five-pointed star in the yellow band. This popular African color and meaningful symbol represent international solidarity and progress.

flag of Guinea-Bissau

The main color elements of the flag are in horizontal bands of green, yellow, and red, representing forests, mineral wealth, and heroes’ blood.

©mapsandphotos/Shutterstock.com

Guyana

Guyana’s flag is the Golden Arrowhead because of its horizontal triangular shapes of red, black, yellow, and white displayed on a green field. Red stands for zeal; gold for mineral wealth; green for agriculture and forests; black for endurance, and white for rivers and water.

Flag of Guyana

Red stands for zeal; gold for mineral wealth; green for agriculture and forests; black for endurance, and white for rivers and water.

©iStock.com/de-nue-pic

Jamaica

The design of the Jamaican flag is a saltire, meaning a cross with diagonal bars of equal length. The saltire on this flag forms a golden “x” shape, delineating green triangular spaces above and below and black ones on the hoist and fly end sides. This is a design feature borrowed from the British flag to recall Jamaica’s history as a British colony. Another unusual feature of the flag is it is the only national flag in the world that does not include the colors red, white, or blue. The symbolism of the flag’s colors is as follows: black: the strength and creativity of the people; gold: the wealth of the country and its golden sunshine; green: the vegetation of the island and its hope.

Flag of Jamaica

The symbolism of the flag’s colors is as follows: black: the strength and creativity of the people; gold: the wealth of the country.

©iStock.com/kckate16

Jordan

Jordan’s flag includes horizontal bands of black, white, and green with a red triangle based on the hoist end. The colors of the three bands represent historic Arab dynasties and the red triangle represents the ruling Hashemite dynasty that remains in power today.

The colors of the three bands represent Arab dynasties and the red triangle represents the ruling Hashemite dynasty that remains in power.

©iStock.com/Burak Ceyhan

Kenya

The flag of Kenya consists of black, white, and green bands bordered in white, with a superimposed Maasai shield and two crossed white spears. Black is for the people of Kenya, red for their blood that was shed for independence, and green for the country’s natural environment and resources. The white borders symbolize peace, honesty, purity, and innocence. The Maasai weaponry represents national defense. The color scheme of the flag is that of the Pan-African movement.

Kenya's flag

Black is for the people of Kenya, red for their blood that was shed for independence, and green for the country’s natural environment.

©iStock.com/Burak Ceyhan

Kuwait

Kuwait’s flag uses pan-Arab colors, arranged with a black trapezoid on the hoist end and broad bands of green, white, and red covering the rest of the flag. These colors represent four great Arab historical dynasties, but also as follows: white: our deeds; black: our battles; green: our lands; red: our swords.   

These colors have been identified as follows: white: our deeds; black: our battles; green: our lands; red: our swords.

©iStock.com/RM80

Lesotho

Lesotho’s flag is a blue, white, and green horizontal tricolor with a black traditional Basotho hat called a mokorotlo in the center. The blue of the flag represents the sky or the rain; white represents peace; and green represents prosperity. The color black was chosen for the mokorotlo to represent Lesotho’s heritage as a black nation.

close up waving flag of Lesotho. flag symbols of Lesotho.

The color black was chosen for the

mokorotlo

to represent Lesotho’s heritage as a black nation.

©Tatohra/Shutterstock.com

Libya

The flag of Libya consists of red, black, and green horizontal bands with a traditional Islamic  crescent and five-pointed star in the center. This flag was readopted by the country in 2011 after the overthrow of dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. The colors represent the blood of its defenders; the dark days of colonialism; and the agriculture of the country. These are also the colors of the flags of the three regions of Italy.

The flag of Libya

The colors represent the blood of its defenders; the dark days of colonialism; and the agriculture of the country.

©BOLDG/Shutterstock.com

Malawi

Malawi has a tricolor flag of black, red, and green horizontal bands with a red rising sun in the center of the back band. This represents hope and freedom not only for Malawi but the whole continent of Africa. As for the colors, black represents the African people. Red honors the blood of their struggle for freedom. Green symbolizes the lush, verdant landscape of the country.

Black represents the African people.

©iStock.com/iCexpert

Mozambique

The flag of Mozambique begins with a red triangle on the hoist end containing superimposed images of a yellow star, an open book, and a crossed black rifle and hoe. The remainder of the flag consists of teal, black, and yellow bands separated by white borders. Teal represents the riches of the land. White symbolizes peace. Black is for the African continent. Yellow stands for mineral wealth. Red is for the independence struggle.

Flag of Mozambique

Teal represents the riches of the land; white symbolizes peace; black is for the African continent; yellow stands for mineral wealth.

©Osman Bugra Nuvasil/Shutterstock.com

Papua New Guinea

Red and black are the main colors of Papua New Guinea’s flag. They were traditional colors of many tribes in the country’s history. The country’s flag divides diagonally into two large triangles. The upper, red triangle includes a yellow bird-of-paradise and the lower, black triangle features white stars in the shape of the Southern Cross constellation. The designer of this flag, Susan Karike, was only 15 when she won a national contest with this original and meaningful design.

papua new guinea flag

Red and black are the main colors of Papua New Guinea’s flag, as they were traditional colors of many tribes in the country’s history.

©N. Vector Design/Shutterstock.com

Saint Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis has a flag bisected by a black diagonal bar with two white stars displayed in it. This bar borders in gold and separates a green triangular field to the top and a red triangular field below. Green represents the fertile land. Red stands for the fight for freedom. Yellow represents sunshine. Black celebrates the African people’s heritage. The two stars represent the two islands of the nation as well as their hope and freedom.

Saint Kitts and Nevis flag

Green represents the fertile land; red stands for the fight for freedom.

©Piotr Przyluski/Shutterstock.com

Saint Lucia

The flag of Saint Lucia consists of a light blue field with a central yellow triangle in front of a taller white-edged black triangle. The blue field represents the sky and sea. The two taller triangles represent the Pitons, famous volcanic cones that are a landmark on the island. Their color is black and white to depict harmony between the back and white races on the island. The yellow color represents sunshine and prosperity.

flag of Saint Lucia

The two taller triangles represent the Pitons, famous volcanic cones that are a landmark on the island.

©nortongo/Shutterstock.com

São Tomé and Príncipe

The flag of São Tomé and Príncipe includes a red triangle at the hoist and green, yellow, and green horizontal bands across the remainder of the flag. Two black stars are in the yellow band. Green stands for the country’s vegetation. Yellow is for the sun and the key crop of cocoa. The red recalls the country’s independence struggle. The two black stars stand for the two islands of the country.

The two black stars stand for the two islands of the country.

©iStock.com/Wirestock

South Africa

The “Y” shape in green with a border in white and yellow that lies horizontally across the flag dominates the South African flag surface. It separates a black triangle based on the hoist and trapezoidal fields of red to the top and blue to the bottom. Most countries describe some detailed symbolism of their flags. The South African government has deliberately been vague about the symbolism out of a desire that it be a unifying symbol. Officially, the flag colors are from previous historical flags of the country, and the “Y” shape definition broadly represents the diverse elements of society converging and going forward united in the future.

The South African government has deliberately been vague about the symbolism out of a desire that it be a unifying symbol.

©iStock.com/olrat

South Korea

Black is not the dominant color of the South Korean flag, but its role is important. The main design of the flag is a blue and red circular yin-yang pattern (known as um-yang in Korean) in the center of a white field. The color of the field is symbolic of peace, traditional white Korean clothing, and the traditional name of the country. The um-yang is an important symbol of duality in Asian philosophies. The blue half represents the sky, and the red represents the land. Black is used in four sets of bars called trigrams situated around the symbol. These stand for the classical elements: heaven, earth, water, and fire.

Flag of South Korea

Black is used in four sets of bars called trigrams situated around the symbol. These stand for the classical elements: heaven, earth, water, and fire.

©Pavlo Lys/Shutterstock.com

South Sudan

The flag of South Sudan includes a blue triangle on the hoist with a yellow star in the center. Spanning the flag to the fly end are broad bands of black, red, and white separated by think white bands. According to the South Sudanese government, the symbolism of the colors is the following: black – the people of South Sudan; red – the blood of its defenders; green – agricultural wealth, natural resources, progress; white – peace; blue – the water of the Nile River; yellow – national unity, hope, and determination.

The color black represents the people of South Sudan.

©iStock.com/bndart

Sudan

The flag of Sudan incorporates three broad horizontal bands of red, white, and black, with a green triangle on the hoist side. Red represents the blood of those who died for the country, white represents peace, and black represents the African continent. The green triangle represents Islam, the predominant faith of the country.

The flag of Sudan

Red represents the blood of those who died for the country, white represents peace, and black represents the African continent.

©Anastasilia Guseva/Shutterstock.com

Syria

The official flag of the Syrian government is a red-white-black horizontal tricolor with two green stars in evenly spaced in the white band. This includes Pan-Arab colors that represent four important historical Arab dynasties. It was used in various forms when Syria attempted to form unions with other Arab nations. Syrian opposition forces use a green-white-black tricolor that was also an historic Syrian flag.

This includes Pan-Arab colors that represent four important historical Arab dynasties.

©iStock.com/Maksym Kapliuk

Tanzania

The flag of Tanzania has a diagonal black stripe running across the center bordered by narrower golden stripes above and below. The bisected field that remains is green on the top and blue on the bottom. Green stands for the vegetation and agriculture of the country. Blue stands for the Indian Ocean and the country’s freshwater resources. The gold stripes are for the country’s mineral wealth.

Tanzania flag

The flag of Tanzania has a diagonal black stripe running across the center bordered by narrower golden stripes above and below.

©Julinzy/Shutterstock.com

Trinidad and Tobago

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago is a red field bisected by a broad black diagonal stripe bordered with smaller white stripes. Red, black, and white represent the sun (or courage), earth (or dedication), and water (or purity and equality).

flag of Trinidad and Tobago

Red, black, and white represent the sun (or courage), earth (or dedication), and water (or purity and equality).

©Momcilica/Shutterstock.com

Uganda

Uganda’s flag has six horizontal stripes in alternating patterns of black, yellow and red. The country’s national symbol, a grey crowned crane, is displayed in a white disc in the center of the flag. The flag’s colors represent the African people, the country’s natural resources, and the blood of those who died for Uganda’s independence.

Uganda flag

The flag’s colors represent the African people, the country’s natural resources, and the blood of those who died for Uganda’s independence.

©Osman Bugra Nuvasil/Shutterstock.com

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a union of seven Emirates. They all use the same national flag of the Pan-Arab colors: red, green, white, and black. These represent four great historical dynasties that ruled the Arab world. This shows the UAE’s connection with its history and sense of unity toward its neighbors.

Flag of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a union of seven Emirates, but they all use the same national flag of the Pan-Arab colors: red, green, white, and black.

©CreativeBee Maroc/Shutterstock.com

Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s flag consists of four main colors: red, green, black, and yellow. The arrangement is a black isosceles triangle on the hoist with its apex merging into a black horizontal bar. This demarcates red and green fields above and below. A gold border inside the black figure and the national boar’s horn symbol centered in the triangle complete the design. Green stands for the richness of the country. Red the blood that unites all people. Black for the Melanesian people. Yellow represents the shape of the island chain in the Pacific, and the Christian gospel spreading through the region. The boar’s tusk is a symbol of tradition and prosperity, with leaves of a local tree, representing peace.  

Green stands for the richness of the country; red the blood that unites all people; and black for the Melanesian people.

©iStock.com/EA

Yemen

Yemen’s flag is a tricolor of horizontal bands of red, white, and black. This flag was part of the Arab liberation movement in the 1950s. The color scheme is a popular design in many Arab countries. In many regional countries the colors represent key ruling Arab dynasties of the past. Yemen’s official description of the flag says the red stands for unity and the bloodshed of martyrs. The white stands for the country’s bright future and the black for the dark past.

Yemen’s official description of the flag says red stands for unity and the bloodshed of martyrs, while white stands for the country’s bright future.

©iStock.com/Maksym Kapliuk

Zambia

Zambia has a green flag with an orange African fish eagle flying over a block of red, black, and orange vertical bands on the fly end of the flag. Green draws attention to the country’s vegetation and resources. Red is for its freedom struggle. Black is for its people. Orange is for its copper and other mineral wealth. The eagle reminds the people of their ability to rise above their problems.

Zambia has a green flag with an orange African fish eagle flying over a block of red, black, and orange vertical bands on the fly end of the flag.

©iStock.com/nanami_o

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s flag consists of seven equal horizontal stripes of green, yellow, red, and black. A white triangle on the hoist side has a black outline and contains a red star and an image of the Zimbabwe Bird, a historic national symbol. Green represents agriculture. Yellow is for mineral wealth. Red is the blood shed for independence. Black honors the heritage of the country’s black majority population; and white stands for peace.

flag of Zimbabwe

Green represents agriculture; yellow is for mineral wealth; red is the blood shed for independence; black honors the black population.

©Aleksandar Mijatovic/Shutterstock.com

The photo featured at the top of this post is © BOLDG/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Drew Wood is a writer at A-Z Animals focusing on mammals, geography, and world cultures. Drew has worked in research and writing for over 20 years and holds a Masters in Foreign Affairs (1992) and a Doctorate in Religion (2009). A resident of Nebraska, Drew enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu, movies, and being an emotional support human to four dogs.

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