The Ethiopian Flag: History, Colors and Meaning
Discover how the Ethiopian flag evolved from imperial times to the modern blue-star emblem, what its colors symbolize, and why it became a Pan-African icon.
National Flag of Ethiopia
Adopted: October 31, 1996 • Ratio: 1:2
First Adopted
October 6, 1897
Current Design
October 31, 1996
Emblem
Golden star on blue disc
Significance
Pan-African inspiration
The national Ethiopian flag is one of the oldest in Africa and a proud emblem of the country's sovereignty. It is a horizontal tricolour of green, yellow and red with a central blue disc bearing a golden five-pointed star. These colors have carried religious and cultural meaning for centuries, and the modern tricolour was first adopted in 1897 after Ethiopia's victory over Italy at Adwa.
The current design, introduced in 1996, reflects Ethiopia's commitment to unity and peace after a long history of political change. The Ethiopian flag and its green-yellow-red colors have inspired many other African flags as a symbol of independence and anti-colonial resistance.
The green, yellow and red colors of Ethiopia's flag are rich in symbolism, though interpretations have changed over time. These colors were long used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and have become deeply meaningful to Ethiopians and people across Africa.
Green
- • Fertile land of Ethiopia
- • Labor and development
- • Hope for prosperity
- • Richness of the earth
Yellow
- • Hope and justice
- • Equality among people
- • Peace and harmony
- • Religious freedom
Red
- • Blood and sacrifice
- • Heroes who defended freedom
- • Strength and struggle
- • Faith and power
The Blue Disc and Golden Star
Blue Background
Represents peace and the sky above Ethiopia.
Golden Star
Symbolizes the unity and equality of Ethiopia's different communities. The rays of the star suggest a shared, brighter future.
Pan-African Symbol
Because Ethiopia maintained its independence during the colonial era, its tricolour became a Pan-African emblem. After World War II, many newly independent African states adopted red-yellow-green in homage to Ethiopia's resistance to colonial rule.
Early Ethiopian tricolour flag from the reign of Emperor Menelik II.
Ethiopia's tricolour flag traces back to Emperor Menelik II, who on 6 October 1897 combined traditional Ethiopian pennants into a rectangular flag of red-yellow-green stripes (top to bottom) with the Amharic letter "መ" (for Menelik) in the center. This adoption came after Ethiopia's decisive victory over Italy at the Battle of Adwa, cementing the nation's independence.
The Lion of Judah Emblem
After Menelik's death in 1913, the letter was removed and the stripe order was reversed to green-yellow-red (green on top). The Lion of Judah, a crowned lion holding a cross, soon became the flag's central emblem for official purposes.
Classic Lion of Judah emblem used on the imperial Ethiopian flag.
Symbolism of the Imperial Flag
- Represented the Solomonic dynasty and its link to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
- The Lion of Judah symbolized the biblical lineage from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
- Served as Ethiopia's banner from Menelik through Emperor Haile Selassie (except 1936–1941 occupation)
- Inspired many African nations after World War II
Historical note: The old Lion of Judah flag remains iconic and is still revered by Ethiopian monarchists and the Rastafari movement.
Plain green-yellow-red flag used during the early Derg period (1975–1987).
The Ethiopian revolution of 1974 ended the monarchy and brought a socialist military junta known as the Derg to power. Upon deposing Emperor Haile Selassie, the Derg removed the imperial Lion of Judah from the flag and soon discontinued the emblem entirely.
Plain Tricolour Era (1975–1987)
From 1975 onward, a plain green-yellow-red tricolour (with no symbol) was used as the national flag during the Derg regime. This simple design represented a break from imperial tradition.
People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1987–1991)
PDRE-era flag of Ethiopia (1987–1991) with a socialist emblem.
In 1987, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam established the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) with a new flag bearing a Marxist-inspired coat of arms. This flag retained the tricolour stripes but added a central emblem.
- A cogwheel representing industry
- A wreath symbolizing agriculture
- A red star at the top reflecting socialist ideology
End of an era: The PDRE flag lasted until the regime was overthrown in 1991. During the civil war that toppled the dictatorship, the rebels notably flew the old plain tricolour as their banner of liberation. The flag's proportion was changed to 1:2 during this time, which remains the standard today.
Current official Ethiopian flag (1996–present).
After the fall of the communist regime in 1991, Ethiopia's interim government reverted to the simple green-yellow-red flag without any emblem. This plain tricolour was used during the transitional period (1991–1995) while a new constitutional order was established.
The 1996 Design: Symbol of Unity in Diversity
On 31 October 1996, Ethiopia introduced its current national flag. The modern flag kept the traditional tricolour but added a new national emblem at the center: a blue circular disk with a golden star and rays.
Unity of Peoples
The emblem was created to highlight the unity of Ethiopia's many nations and nationalities under the federal system.
The Star of Unity
The interlocking arms of the star symbolize equality and cooperation, while the rays suggest a shared future for all communities.
The 2009 Proclamation
For some years the emblem flag and the plain tricolour both appeared in public life. In 2009, Proclamation 654/2009 required that the flag always be displayed with its emblem in proper form.
- Part of an effort to standardize national symbols
- Introduced penalties for defacing the flag or omitting the emblem
- Today, the emblem flag is universally the official national flag
A Flag for Modern Ethiopia
The current flag design reflects continuity with the past through its colors, while the emblem highlights the country's diversity and commitment to unity, peace and equality.
The Ethiopian flag's influence extends far beyond the country's borders. Among the Ethiopian diaspora worldwide, the flag is a cherished symbol of identity, unity and cultural pride. Communities across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa prominently display the tricolour at cultural festivals, national holidays and community gatherings.
Cultural Celebrations
- Ethiopian restaurants, churches and businesses decorate with flag colors
- Enkutatash (New Year) and Fasika (Easter) celebrations feature flag-raising ceremonies
- Cultural festivals use the flag as a backdrop for dance, music and cuisine
Sports and Pride
- Athletes draped in the flag after victories inspire national pride
- Sporting events unite diaspora communities under the national colors
- Weddings and family celebrations often feature the flag as a symbol of blessings and unity
Different versions of the Ethiopian flag seen in diaspora communities: the official emblem flag, the plain green-yellow-red flag and the historic Lion of Judah flag.
Political Perspectives and Flag Variations
Over the decades of Ethiopia's regime changes, different versions of the flag have carried different political meanings, and these sentiments persist among Ethiopians abroad.
Some diaspora members continue to fly the plain tricolour (without the emblem) as a form of protest or as an assertion of a pan-Ethiopian identity.
Ethiopian monarchists and Rastafarian devotees sometimes display the old Lion of Judah flag to honor the imperial legacy and biblical heritage.
The current flag with the blue star emblem is used by those who support the federal system and see it as a symbol of unity among Ethiopia's diverse peoples.
A Unifying Symbol
Despite differences in which version is displayed, all Ethiopian diaspora communities share a reverence for the red-yellow-green colors. The flag – in any of its forms – remains a powerful emblem of nationhood and shared heritage.
The Ethiopian flag has evolved through imperial, socialist and federal eras, but it has consistently embodied the spirit of the nation. From Menelik II's first tricolour in 1897 to the present banner with the blue star, each change in design corresponds to a chapter of Ethiopia's history.
Common Questions About the Ethiopian Flag
What does the Ethiopian flag look like?
The modern Ethiopian flag is a horizontal green-yellow-red tricolour with a blue disc and a golden star in the center. It is one of the most recognizable flags on the African continent.
Why is the Ethiopian flag a green, yellow and red flag?
These three colors grew out of Ethiopian religious and imperial tradition. Over time they came to represent land and hope (green), justice and harmony (yellow), and sacrifice and strength (red). Because Ethiopia remained independent, other African countries later adopted the same colors as Pan-African symbols.
What is the Lion of Judah flag and the Rastafari flag?
The historic imperial Lion of Judah flag shows a crowned lion carrying a cross on the green-yellow-red tricolour. Many people associate it with Emperor Haile Selassie and with the Rastafari movement, which uses similar colors and the lion symbol to express spiritual connection with Ethiopia.
Why do people mention special Ethiopian flag emojis online?
In online communities, fans of Ethiopian history sometimes look for custom emojis or icons to represent the old imperial flag or the modern national flag. This is just another way the Ethiopian flag shows up in digital culture as a symbol of identity and pride.
Many African flags use the green-yellow-red Pan-African colors inspired by the Ethiopian flag.
Pan-African Inspiration
The Ethiopian tricolour became a model for many newly independent African states, including Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Senegal and others, which adopted similar color schemes to express African pride and liberation.
Symbol of Independence
As the only African nation to successfully resist long-term European colonization, Ethiopia's flag became a beacon of hope for colonized peoples worldwide. Its colors came to stand for dignity, resistance and the promise of freedom.
A Living Symbol of National Pride
Today, whether fluttering atop a government building in Addis Ababa or held aloft by diaspora youth abroad, the Ethiopian flag is a powerful symbol of national pride, cultural identity and resilience.
The flag continues to unite Ethiopians and admirers around the world, showing how a simple pattern of colors can carry deep stories of history, struggle and hope.
- First adopted on October 6, 1897 by Emperor Menelik II after the Battle of Adwa
- One of the oldest national flags in Africa
- Colors represent: green (land, hope), yellow (justice, equality), red (sacrifice, strength)
- Imperial era featured the Lion of Judah emblem (1913–1974)
- Plain tricolour used during Derg period (1975–1987) and transition (1991–1996)
- Current design adopted October 31, 1996 with blue disc and golden star
- Blue disc represents peace; golden star symbolizes unity and equality
- Proclamation 654/2009 mandates that the emblem be included on official flags
- Flag ratio is 1:2 (height to width)
Download the Ethiopian Flag
Show your Ethiopian pride. Download the official flag in high resolution for personal or educational use.
Free for personal and educational use