Flag of Ethiopia

Flag of Ethiopia

Use	National flag and ensign
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	31 October 1996
Design	A horizontal tricolour of green, yellow and red, with the national emblem in the center.

The current flag of Ethiopia was adopted on 31 October 1996. It conforms to the specifications set forth in Article 3 of the 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia, but the diameter of the central disc is increased from that of the flag used from 6 February to 31 October 1996. The three traditional colours of green, yellow and red date back to Emperor Menelik (r. 1889–1913) and were first used in a flag in 1897. The current flag and emblem were adopted after the defeat of the Marxist Mengistu regime (in power from 1974–1991). The emblem is intended to represent both the diversity and unity of the country. Blue represents peace, the star represents diversity and unity, and the sun's rays symbolise prosperity. The green recalls the land, yellow stands for peace and hope, and red is symbolic of strength.

Colours

The red, green and yellow were used for the flag of the Ethiopian Empire in 1897, a year after Ethiopia decisively defended itself from Italian colonization at the Battle of Adwa. The flag's tri-colour scheme has existed since the early 19th century, and was previously the official banner of the Ethiopian Empire's Solomonic dynasty. The colours green, yellow, and red have carried special importance since at least the early 17th century.

The royal flag often featured the emblem of a Lion of Judah, a crowned lion carrying a cross centred in the banner's yellow midsection. The flag is understood to be a link between the Ethiopian church, the peoples, and the nation that was united. The processional cross carried by the lion was the former flag or symbol of Ethiopia, and has likewise been in use since at least the early 17th century. Whilst red is currently featured at the bottom of the horizontal tricolour, this was reversed until the mid-19th century. The emblem was added in 1996. What the colours symbolise varies depending on point of view. However, generally, red represents blood spilled in defence of Ethiopia; yellow represents peace and harmony between Ethiopia's various ethnic and religious groups; and green is said to symbolize hope, or the land and its fertility. Upon gaining independence from colonial rule, several newly-established countries in Africa adopted these three colours in homage to Ethiopia's resistance against foreign occupation. When adopted by Pan-Africanist polities and organizations for their activities, the colours are often referred to as the Pan-African colours.

Emblem

Prior to 1996 (and to some extent even today) the 'plain' flag was commonly seen across the nation and the world. Previously, especially during the Derg regime, a number of different emblems were experimented with. However, the basic colour schematic has remained constant. Even the oppressive Derg did not dare to tamper with the colours' layout, but simply removed and changed the imperial emblem after Haile Selassie's overthrow. An alternative emblem featuring a five pointed star and rays over a cogwheel surrounded by a wreath of leaves is now the featured emblem.

The star is yellow on a blue disc which overlaps the green and red stripes. The star testifies to Ethiopia's bright future and possibly echoes the connection with the House of King Solomon, while the yellow rays which it emits are equidistant and are said to represent the equality of all Ethiopians regardless of race, creed, or sex.

Historical flags

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  Before the rectangular flag was created, Ethiopia flew three coloured pennants. The red was then at the top.^{[citation needed]}

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  The flag with the Lion of Judah (1897–1974). It remains popular with the Rastafari movement and people loyal to Haile Selassie.

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  War Ensign of the Imperial Ethiopian Navy (1955–1974), was based upon the Blue Ensign.

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  Flag of Ethiopia (1974–1975), modified after Haile Selassie's overthrow by removing the crown from the lion's head and by changing the Cross finial to a Spear point.

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  War Ensign of the Imperial Ethiopian Navy (1974–1975).

• 

  The official flag under the Derg (1975–1987), essentially the Imperial flag without the lion. It was seen more than the state flag.

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  The state flag under the Derg (1975–1987). Rarely seen, and a forerunner to the flag introduced in 1987.

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  The flag of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1987–1991) introduced the current ratio of 1:2.

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  The flag of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (1991–1996). It is the same as the 1975–1987 official flag, except for the ratio. It is still widely seen today.^{[citation needed]}

• 

  The flag of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 6 February to 31 October 1996. Its central disc is smaller than in the current flag.

• 

  The current flag.

See also

• Flags of the regions of Ethiopia

References

• People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1974-1991)
• Proclamation No. 16/1996 – A Proclamation on the Flag and Emblem of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Proclamation No. 48/1996 – A Proclamation to amend the Flag and Emblem Proclamation
• Proclamation No. 654/2009 – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Flag Proclamation

External links

• Ethiopia at Flags of the World
• Flag of Ethiopia
• http://www.ethioworld.com/CountryInformation/ethiopianflag.htm
• http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Ethiopia.html