Belarus .by

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of Belarus is an unequal red-green bicolour with a red-on-white ornament pattern placed at the hoist (staff) end. The current design was introduced in 2012 by the State Committee for Standardisation of the Republic of Belarus, and is adapted from a design approved in a May 1995 referendum. The flag is a rectangular cloth consisting of two horizontal stripes: a red upper stripe (which was inspired by the flag of the Soviet Union) covering two-thirds of the flag's height, and additional green lower stripe covering one-third. The pattern, derived from local plants and flowers, is a traditional type commonly used in Belarus. === 1995 referendum === The referendum that was held to adopt the state symbols took place on 14 May 1995.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Green, White

Flag History

1. 1917
   A decorative pattern, designed in 1917 by Matrona Markevich, is displayed on the hoist of the flag (as it was previously, on the 1951 flag).
2. 1927–1937
   

   It was later modified in the 1927 Constitution where the letters were changed to БССР (BSSR) but kept the overall design the same.
3. 1937
   

   This design was changed in 1937, when a hammer and sickle and red star were placed above the letters.
4. 1995–2012
   

   Since the 1995 referendum, several flags used by Belarusian government officials and agencies have been modelled on this national flag.
5. 1995–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1995.

Prior to the modern flag that is used in Belarus today, the republic used the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic flag. This flag was adopted on December 25, 1951 before being modified five years later. The flag was very similar to today’s flag, only with the addition of the golden hammer and sickle and red star of the Communists.

This flag was in use until Belarus gained its independence in 1991. A new national flag was adopted in 1995 but was later modified in 2012 to include a thicker ornamental pattern.

Before the Soviet-era flag, there were a number of flags used beginning during the early 20th century. The first flag was the all red flag of the Lithuanian-Byelorussian SSR. The same year, the flag was modified to include gold lettering. This version was used until 1927 before the lettering was modified. The newly modified design was used for ten years, after which the design was again changed to include the hammer, sickle, and red star. This version was used until it was replaced by the Soviet-era flag in 1951.

Fun Facts

According to a presidential decree, the national flag is to be displayed on a gold colored staff.

Location