Flag of Zambia

The national flag of Zambia was adopted upon independence on 24 October 1964, by the first Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda. Before that, Zambia was the British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia and used a defaced Blue Ensign as its flag.[1]

Republic of Zambia
UseNational 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
Proportion2:3
Adopted24 October 1964 (modified in 1996)
DesignA green field with an orange coloured eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes coloured from left to right in red, black and orange
Designed byGabriel Ellison

The current flag is used as both national flag[2] and ensign.[3] It is green with an orange-coloured African fish eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes, coloured, from left to right: red, black and orange. The placement of the eagle and block of stripes at the flag's fly is notable as most emblems and devices on flags are placed at centre or at the hoist. Green stands for the nation's agriculture and lush flora,[4] red for the nation's struggle for freedom,[4] black for the Zambian people and all black Africans,[4] and orange for the land's copper,[4] natural resources in general, and mineral wealth. Additionally, the eagle flying above the coloured stripes is intended to represent the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems and freedom.[4]

The Zambian flag was slightly modified in 1996. The shade of green used in the 1964 flag was replaced with brighter and lighter green and the eagle was slightly altered so as to be more like the one used in the Zambian coat of arms.[5]

Design

The design of the national flag of Zambia is described in National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act of 4 June 1965.[2]

Green with an orange coloured eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes coloured from left to right in red, black and orange; of overall dimensions 3:2; and to the following colour specifications:

  • "Spectrum Green", British Colour Council Shade reference 100.
  • "Union Jack Red", British Colour Council Shade reference 210.
  • "Jet Black", British Colour Council Shade reference 220=)
  • "Spectrum Orange", British Colour Council Shade reference 57:
  • Construction sheet of the Zambian flag
    Construction sheet of the Zambian flag

Colours

The dark green was adjusted in 1996 to a lighter and brighter green.[6] In 2012 the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games solicited advice from each participating nation in specifying the correct Pantone colours for its flag. Once confirmed, the results were published in a guide.[7] The colours given were:

PMS 355
Green
Pantone
#009E49

PMS 032
Red
Pantone
#EF3340

PMS 150
Zambrano
Pantone
#FCAD56

PMS
Black
Pantone
#000000

The flag of Zambia according to the correct Pantone colours.

The colours' approximation in other colour spaces are listed below:

Colours scheme
GreenRedBlackOrange/Eagle
RGB25-138-0222-32-160-0-0239-125-0
Hexadecimal#198a00ff#de2010ff#000000ff#ef7d00ff
CMYK82, 0, 100, 460, 86, 93, 130, 0, 0, 1000, 48, 100, 6

Symbolism

The flag's colours and emblems are rich in symbolism. Each of the four colours represents an aspect of Zambia: green for the country's natural resources and vegetation; red for its struggle for freedom; black for its people and orange for its mineral wealth (primarily copper). The eagle is an African fish eagle, which also appears in the national coat of arms and represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.[8]

Flag protocol
The flag flying outside the Lundazi Council building

By law, the Zambian flag should be flown only between the hours of sunrise and sunset and may be flown:

  • at buildings or premises owned or occupied by the Government;
  • at buildings or premises owned or occupied by local government authorities;
  • at buildings or premises owned or occupied by any statutory board or statutory corporation;
  • at state-aided schools;
  • on any motor car, boat or ship in or by which a Minister of Government is for the time being travelling;[2]
  • on any ship registered as Zambian.[3]

The flag is not allowed to be flown by any other individual or institution without express written permission from the Minister except on the following occasions:

  • on the following public holidays, namely: Africa Freedom Day, Heroes Day, Unity Day, and Independence Day;
  • on such other days or occasions as the Minister may declare for this purpose.[2]

Historical flags

Company Rule
See also: Company rule in Rhodesia
  • Flag of British South Africa Company (1890–1924)
    Flag of British South Africa Company (1890–1924) 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

British Protectorate
Further information: Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
See also: Northern Rhodesia and Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
  • Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1924–1964)
    Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1924–1964) 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
  • Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, of which Northern Rhodesia was a part (1953–1963)
    Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, of which Northern Rhodesia was a part (1953–1963) 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

Independence
  • 1964 to 1996 variant of the current flag, with a darker shade of green
    1964 to 1996 variant of the current flag, with a darker shade of green 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

Other flags

Presidential standard
  • Flag of the president of Zambia
    Flag of the president of Zambia Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

Air ensigns
See also: Civil air ensign and Air force ensign
  • Zambia Air Force Ensign
    Zambia Air Force Ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
  • Zambian civil air ensign
    Zambian civil air ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

See also

References
  1. "Republic of Zambia, e-pamozi portal". E-pamozi portal. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. "National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act" (PDF). Zambia: Ministry of Legal Affairs, Government of the Republic of Zambia. 4 June 1965. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. "Merchant Shipping (Temporary Provisions) Act" (PDF). Ministry of Legal Affairs, Government of the Republic of Zambia. 4 May 1969. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. Smith, Whitney (16 February 2001). "flag of Zambia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. "Zambia Flag (Download SVG, PNG)". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  6. "Defaced Zambian flags should be replaced". Times of Zambia. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  7. "Flags and Anthems Manual" (PDF). London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  8. "The World Factbook -Africa:Zambia - Flag" (PDF). CIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
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