Flag of Guinea-Bissau
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Flag Meaning
The flag of Guinea-Bissau represents the nation's struggle for sovereignty and its deep connection to the broader African continent. Its central feature, a black five-pointed star, symbolizes the people of Africa and their dignity, freedom, and peace. The overall design reflects the revolutionary ideals that led to the country's liberation from colonial rule and its commitment to Pan-Africanism.
Colors & Symbols
Red occupies a vertical stripe at the hoist, symbolizing the blood shed by martyrs during the long fight for independence. Yellow represents the sun, the fruits of labor, and the mineral wealth of the land, while green stands for the lush tropical forests and the hope for a prosperous future. These three colors together form the Pan-African palette, signifying solidarity with other liberated nations on the continent.
Adopted 1973
Proportions 1:2
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Country Statistics
Capital Bissau
Population 1.8M
Region Africa
ISO-2 GW
Neighboring Flags
GIN 
SEN Flag History
The national flag is based on the banner of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, which was established to seek freedom from Portuguese rule. Originally, the party's flag included its initials below the black star, but these were removed when the design was officially elevated to national status. This flag was utilized during the unilateral declaration of independence and has remained the primary symbol of the republic ever since.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guinea-Bissau's current flag was officially adopted on 1973.
Guinea-Bissau's flag has an official proportion of 1:2.
The black star is a symbol of African unity and represents the African people as well as the leadership that guided the nation to independence.
The design was heavily influenced by the flag of Ghana, which was the first to use the Pan-African colors of red, yellow, and green in this specific context.
The top yellow stripe represents the savannahs of the north and the sun, while the bottom green stripe corresponds to the forests of the south and the country's agricultural roots.
Prior to independence, the territory used the flag of Portugal, as it was a colonial province known as Portuguese Guinea.