Benin .bj

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of Benin (French: drapeau du Bénin) is a flag consisting of two horizontal yellow and red bands on the fly side and a green vertical band at the hoist. Adopted in 1959 to replace the French Tricolour, it was the flag of the Republic of Dahomey until 1975, when the People's Republic of Benin was established. This honours the oldest independent country in Africa and the only nation other than Liberia to remain independent during the Scramble for Africa.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Green, Yellow

Flag History

1. 1958
   This was granted on December 4, 1958, and a search for a national flag began soon after.
2. 1959–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1959.

When the area that is now Benin was under the control of the French, the colony of Dahomey was not allowed to have its own flag. They thought that by having a flag, it would increase the calls for independence. However, in 1958, the region was granted limited autonomy and a national flag was adopted one year later. When Dahomey gained its independence the next year, the flag was not changed. In 1972m, the country was renamed Benin. It was three years later when a new flag was selected. This flag featured a green field with a red five pointed-star in the canton. This flag, however, was not adopted into law and was simply the de facto flag of the nation.

The flag was used until 1990 when the People’s Republic of Benin collapsed. The regime was replaced and the flag that was used in 1959 was made the national flag. It was reinstated on August 1 and has flown over the nation since that day.

Fun Facts

Prior to its original adoption in 1959, the French tricolor flag was used.

Location