Angola .ao

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of Angola is a horizontal bicolour of red and black, charged in the center with a yellow emblem consisting of a machete crossed by a half-cogwheel and crowned with a five-pointed star. It was adopted on 11 November 1975, when Angola became independent from Portugal following the thirteen-year Angolan War of Independence. The original meanings of the flag's colours and symbols accordingly referenced the war and colonial period, but they have since been reinterpreted to represent the Angolan people and society more broadly. Ana Maria de Oliveira, the MPLA deputy who was responsible for coordinating the subcommission for the national symbols, explained the flag's significance: "The blue strips represent freedom, justice and solidarity, whereas the white ones stand for peace, unity and harmony.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Yellow, Black

Flag History

1. 1975
   At noon on 10 November 1975, the Portuguese flag was lowered in the capital Luanda, and Cardoso departed for Portugal with the remaining Portuguese colonial officials and soldiers.
2. 1975–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1975.

The flag of Angola was first adopted in 1975. The design of the flag was based on the design of the flag of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola. The colors are the same, but the MPLA flag has a star instead of the emblem featured on the Angolan flag. The flag has remained the same as its original design, although a new design was proposed in 2003. The Angolan Parliament proposed adopting a more optimistic flag. However, the design was not adopted.

Fun Facts

The description of the flag of Angola is written in the nation’s Constitution. A flag featuring a design based on the painting found in the Tchitundo-Hulu cave was proposed but the idea was never adopted.

Location