Flag of Angola
countryThe flag of Angola was adopted on November 11, 1975 to a design by Henrique Onambwe. Horizontal bicolour with machete, cog and star. It uses 3 colours: red, black and yellow. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Angola |
|---|---|
| Country | Angola |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Angola |
| Capital | Luanda |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Middle Africa |
| ISO Country Code | AO / AGO |
| Internet Domain | .ao |
| Calling Code | +244 |
| Currency | Angolan kwanza (AOA) |
| National Language(s) | Portuguese |
| Demonym | Angolan |
| Area | 1,246,700 km² |
| Population | 38 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Angola |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | November 11, 1975 |
| First Used | 1975 |
| Current Version Adopted | November 11, 1975 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, Black, Yellow |
| Designer | Henrique Onambwe |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour with machete, cog and star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Angola |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Yellow | #FFCB00 | 255, 203, 0 | 0, 20, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed in the liberation struggle |
|---|---|
| Black colour | Represents the African continent |
| Yellow colour | Represents the country’s mineral wealth |
| Cogwheel | Industrial workers |
| Machete | Peasantry and the armed struggle |
| Star | Progress and international solidarity |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1975 | The design was first used |
| 1975-11-11 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Angola Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Angola
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 51 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | November 11, 1975 |
| Oldest Version | 1975 |
| Designer | Henrique Onambwe |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Burkina Faso |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour with machete, cog and star |
Other horizontal bicolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Angola
- The emblem deliberately echoes the Soviet hammer and sickle, replacing them with a machete for agricultural workers and half a cogwheel for industrial ones.
- A parliamentary commission proposed a completely new flag in 2003, without the machete, but it was never adopted.
- The flag of Angola was officially adopted on November 11, 1975. It was designed by Henrique Onambwe.
- The flag in its present form is 51 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour with machete, cog and star.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, black and yellow.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed in the liberation struggle.
- The black on the flag stands for the African continent.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the country’s mineral wealth.
- Cogwheel: Industrial workers.
- Machete: Peasantry and the armed struggle.
- Star: Progress and international solidarity.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour" family, shared with 5 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Burkina Faso.
- Angola became independent on 11 November 1975 from Portugal.
- Basketball is the sport Angola is best known for internationally; football is the most played.
- The national animal is the giant sable antelope, the palanca negra.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Angola
When was the flag of Angola adopted?
The flag of Angola was officially adopted on November 11, 1975.
What do the colours of the flag of Angola mean?
Red for the blood shed in the liberation struggle, black for the African continent and yellow for the country’s mineral wealth.
When did Angola gain independence?
Angola became independent on 11 November 1975 from Portugal.
What is the national sport of Angola?
Basketball is the sport Angola is best known for internationally; football is the most played.
What do the symbols on the flag of Angola represent?
Cogwheel — Industrial workers. Machete — Peasantry and the armed struggle. Star — Progress and international solidarity.
Who designed the flag of Angola?
The flag was designed by Henrique Onambwe.
What are the proportions of the flag of Angola?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Angola?
The national anthem is "Angola Avante".
When is the national day of Angola?
It falls on 11 November, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Angola?
The national animal is the giant sable antelope, the palanca negra.