Flag of Djibouti

Republic of Djibouti

File:Flag of Djibouti.svg
Calanka Qaranka Agat sigmabili علم الوطني Drapeau national ('National Flag')
Use	National flag and ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	June 27, 1977 (1977-06-27)
Design	A horizontal bicolour of light blue and light green, with a white isosceles triangle at the hoist bearing a red star in its centre.

The national flag of Djibouti is a horizontal flag bicolour with equal bands of light blue and light green, with a white, equilateral triangle at the hoist. In the centre of the triangle is a red star. The flag combines the basic layout and colours from the flag of the Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis. The light blue represents the sky and the sea, as well as the Somalis, green represents the everlasting green of the earth, as well as the Afars, white represents the colour of peace and the five-pointed red star represents unity, the blood shed by the martyrs of independence, as well as Djibouti being one of the five regions inhabited by the Somali people.

History

Beginning in the mid-19th century before the establishment of the French Somaliland, other flags were used as the flag of the Ottoman Empire, Sultanate of Tajoura and as well religious flags. During the French Somaliland and French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, the only ensign used was the tricolour. The flag was created and designed by the Front for the Liberation of the Somali Coast (FLCS) as the party official flag in the 1960s, which was a guerrilla group who fought for the independence of Djibouti from France. With the help of Ligue Populaire Africaine pour l'Indépendance (LPAI) to independence in 1977. The Djiboutian flag was raised for the first time upon independence on 27 June 1977, by the head of police Yacin Yabeh Galeb. It is today flown on many governmental buildings.

Characteristics

Specifically, this flag consists of two horizontal bands sky blue and green, and a white isosceles triangle located on the side of the pole. In the middle of the triangle, a red five-pointed star appears.

The meaning of this flag is also found in the national anthem of Djibouti, with some differences:

•   Sky blue: "symbolises Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Tadjourah, however the national anthem references the blue of the sky."
•   Green: "symbolises the earth, expressed by the eternal green of the earth."
•   Red: "symbolises the blood shed by the martyrs of independence."
•   White: "symbolic white of peace"

In the middle of the triangle, a red five-pointed star symbolises national unity.

Historical flags

File:Djibouti Flag flying near the Sea.png

The national flag of Djibouti flying near the sea.

The following are the flags historically used in the territory of present-day Djibouti:

• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Adal Sultanate (1415–1577)
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Adal Sultanate (1415–1577)
• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1577–1793), used when Habesh Eyalet included part of present-day Djibouti.
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1577–1793), used when Habesh Eyalet included part of present-day Djibouti.
• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1793–1844).
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1793–1844).
• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844–1883).
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844–1883).
• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Khedivate of Egypt (1874–1881), used when the Khedivate's Somali Coast included part of present-day Djibouti.
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Khedivate of Egypt (1874–1881), used when the Khedivate's Somali Coast included part of present-day Djibouti.
• Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Khedivate of Egypt (1881–1883).
  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Khedivate of Egypt (1881–1883).
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  Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of France, used between 1896 and 1977, as French Somaliland is the predecessor to today's Djibouti.

See also

• History of Djibouti
• Djibouti (anthem)
• Djibouti (country)
• Djibouti (city)

External links

• CIA World Factbook - Djibouti
• Djibouti at Flags of the World