Flag of Madagascar
countryThe flag of Madagascar was adopted on October 14, 1958. White vertical hoist band with red and green horizontal bands. It uses 3 colours: white, red and green. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Country | Madagascar |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Madagascar |
| Capital | Antananarivo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | MG / MDG |
| Internet Domain | .mg |
| Calling Code | +261 |
| Currency | Malagasy ariary (MGA) |
| National Language(s) | French, Malagasy |
| Demonym | Malagasy |
| Area | 587,041 km² |
| Population | 32 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 14, 1958 |
| First Used | 1958 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 14, 1958 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Green |
| Design Type | White vertical hoist band with red and green horizontal bands |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Madagascar |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #FC3D32 | 252, 61, 50 | 0, 76, 80, 1 | |
| Green | #007E3A | 0, 126, 58 | 100, 0, 54, 51 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents purity |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents sovereignty |
| Green colour | Represents hope and the coastal peoples |
| Red and white | The colours of the historic Merina kingdom |
| Green | The Hova, the largest class of commoners, who played a decisive part in independence |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1958 | The design was first used |
| 1958-10-14 | 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) |
Madagascar 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 Madagascar
| 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 | 68 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 14, 1958 |
| Oldest Version | 1958 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Benin, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau |
| Unique Feature | White vertical hoist band with red and green horizontal bands |
Other combined horizontal and vertical bands flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Madagascar
- The white vertical band at the hoist with red and green horizontal bands beside it is an unusual construction, mixing vertical and horizontal division in one design.
- The red and white are traditionally associated with the Merina kingdom that ruled much of the island before colonisation.
- The flag of Madagascar was officially adopted on October 14, 1958.
- The flag in its present form is 68 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White vertical hoist band with red and green horizontal bands.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, red and green.
- The white on the flag stands for purity.
- The red on the flag stands for sovereignty.
- The green on the flag stands for hope and the coastal peoples.
- Red and white: The colours of the historic Merina kingdom.
- Green: The Hova, the largest class of commoners, who played a decisive part in independence.
- 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 Guinea-Bissau.
- Madagascar became independent on 26 June 1960 from France.
- Rugby union is widely described as the national sport, alongside the local game of moraingy.
- The national animal is the ring-tailed lemur, and the zebu on the coat of arms.
- The national anthem is "Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Madagascar
When was the flag of Madagascar adopted?
The flag of Madagascar was officially adopted on October 14, 1958.
What do the colours of the flag of Madagascar mean?
White for purity, red for sovereignty and green for hope and the coastal peoples.
When did Madagascar gain independence?
Madagascar became independent on 26 June 1960 from France.
What is the national sport of Madagascar?
Rugby union is widely described as the national sport, alongside the local game of moraingy.
What do the symbols on the flag of Madagascar represent?
Red and white — The colours of the historic Merina kingdom. Green — The Hova, the largest class of commoners, who played a decisive part in independence.
What are the proportions of the flag of Madagascar?
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 Madagascar?
The national anthem is "Ry Tanindraza nay malala ô".
When is the national day of Madagascar?
It falls on 26 June, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Madagascar?
The national animal is the ring-tailed lemur, and the zebu on the coat of arms.
What is the capital of Madagascar?
The capital is Antananarivo. The currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA) and the language spoken is French, Malagasy.