Flag of Guinea-Bissau
countryThe flag of Guinea-Bissau was adopted on September 24, 1973. Red hoist band with black star, over yellow and green bands. It uses 4 colours: red, yellow, green and black. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|
| Country | Guinea-Bissau |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Guinea-Bissau |
| Capital | Bissau |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | GW / GNB |
| Internet Domain | .gw |
| Calling Code | +245 |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| National Language(s) | Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole |
| Demonym | Guinea-Bissauan |
| Area | 36,125 km² |
| Population | 2.2 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 24, 1973 |
| First Used | 1973 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 24, 1973 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, Yellow, Green, Black |
| Design Type | Red hoist band with black star, over yellow and green bands |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Guinea-Bissau |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 | |
| Green | #009E49 | 0, 158, 73 | 100, 0, 54, 38 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed in the struggle for independence |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the sun and the harvest |
| Green colour | Represents the forests and hope |
| Black colour | Represents the black star of Africa |
| Black star | African unity and the people, taken from the flag of the PAIGC liberation movement |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1973 | The design was first used |
| 1973-09-24 | 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 | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau
| 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 | 53 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 24, 1973 |
| Oldest Version | 1973 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Benin, Central African Republic, Madagascar |
| Unique Feature | Red hoist band with black star, over yellow and green bands |
Other combined horizontal and vertical bands flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Guinea-Bissau
- The black star on the red hoist band is a direct reference to Ghana's, adopted by an independence movement that looked to Ghana as its model.
- The flag was used by the liberation movement before independence in 1974, so it predates the state it represents.
- The flag of Guinea-Bissau was officially adopted on September 24, 1973.
- The flag in its present form is 53 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red hoist band with black star, over yellow and green bands.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, yellow, green and black.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed in the struggle for independence.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the sun and the harvest.
- The green on the flag stands for the forests and hope.
- Black star: African unity and the people, taken from the flag of the PAIGC liberation movement.
- The design belongs to the "Combined horizontal and vertical bands" family, shared with 6 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Benin, Central African Republic and Madagascar.
- Guinea-Bissau became independent on 10 September 1974 from Portugal.
- Independence was declared unilaterally on 24 September 1973 and recognised by Portugal in September 1974.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national anthem is "Esta É a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 24 September, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Guinea-Bissau
When was the flag of Guinea-Bissau adopted?
The flag of Guinea-Bissau was officially adopted on September 24, 1973.
What do the colours of the flag of Guinea-Bissau mean?
Red for the blood shed in the struggle for independence, yellow for the sun and the harvest, green for the forests and hope and black for the black star of Africa.
When did Guinea-Bissau gain independence?
Guinea-Bissau became independent on 10 September 1974 from Portugal. Independence was declared unilaterally on 24 September 1973 and recognised by Portugal in September 1974.
What is the national sport of Guinea-Bissau?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Guinea-Bissau represent?
Black star — African unity and the people, taken from the flag of the PAIGC liberation movement.
What are the proportions of the flag of Guinea-Bissau?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Guinea-Bissau?
The national anthem is "Esta É a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada".
When is the national day of Guinea-Bissau?
It falls on 24 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Guinea-Bissau?
The capital is Bissau. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) and the language spoken is Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Guinea-Bissau?
The closest matches are Benin, Central African Republic and Madagascar, which share both the construction and most of the colours.