Flag of Mozambique
countryThe flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. Horizontal tricolour with fimbriations, red hoist triangle, star, book, hoe and rifle. It uses 5 colours: green, white, black, yellow and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Mozambique |
|---|---|
| Country | Mozambique |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Mozambique |
| Capital | Maputo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | MZ / MOZ |
| Internet Domain | .mz |
| Calling Code | +258 |
| Currency | Mozambican metical (MZN) |
| National Language(s) | Portuguese |
| Demonym | Mozambican |
| Area | 801,590 km² |
| Population | 34 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Mozambique |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 1, 1983 |
| First Used | 1983 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 1, 1983 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 5 |
| Main Colors | Green, White, Black, Yellow, Red |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour with fimbriations, red hoist triangle, star, book, hoe and rifle |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Mozambique |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #009639 | 0, 150, 57 | 100, 0, 62, 41 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Yellow | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 | |
| Red | #D21034 | 210, 16, 52 | 0, 92, 75, 18 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the riches of the land |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace |
| Black colour | Represents the African continent |
| Yellow colour | Represents the country’s minerals |
| Red colour | Represents the resistance to colonialism |
| Book | Education |
| Hoe | The peasantry and agriculture |
| AK-47 rifle | Defence and vigilance — the only national flag in the world to show a modern firearm |
| Star | Marxism and internationalism |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1983 | The design was first used |
| 1983-05-01 | 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) |
Mozambique 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 Mozambique
| 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 | 43 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 1, 1983 |
| Oldest Version | 1983 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea, Jordan |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour with fimbriations, red hoist triangle, star, book, hoe and rifle |
Other horizontal tricolour with a hoist triangle flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Mozambique
- This is the only national flag showing a modern firearm. The AK-47 crossed with a hoe over an open book stands for defence, agriculture and education.
- A national competition to replace the design was run in 2005 and produced a shortlist; parliament kept the rifle.
- The flag was adopted in 1983, eight years after independence, replacing a version whose emblem was arranged differently.
- The flag of Mozambique was officially adopted on May 1, 1983.
- The flag in its present form is 43 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour with fimbriations, red hoist triangle, star, book, hoe and rifle.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 5 colours: green, white, black, yellow and red.
- The green on the flag stands for the riches of the land.
- The white on the flag stands for peace.
- The black on the flag stands for the African continent.
- Book: Education.
- Hoe: The peasantry and agriculture.
- AK-47 rifle: Defence and vigilance — the only national flag in the world to show a modern firearm.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a hoist triangle" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea and Jordan.
- Mozambique became independent on 25 June 1975 from Portugal.
- Football is the most popular sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Mozambique
When was the flag of Mozambique adopted?
The flag of Mozambique was officially adopted on May 1, 1983.
What do the colours of the flag of Mozambique mean?
Green for the riches of the land, white for peace, black for the African continent, yellow for the country’s minerals and red for the resistance to colonialism.
When did Mozambique gain independence?
Mozambique became independent on 25 June 1975 from Portugal.
What is the national sport of Mozambique?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Mozambique represent?
Book — Education. Hoe — The peasantry and agriculture. AK-47 rifle — Defence and vigilance — the only national flag in the world to show a modern firearm.
What are the proportions of the flag of Mozambique?
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 Mozambique?
The national anthem is "Pátria Amada".
When is the national day of Mozambique?
It falls on 25 June, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Mozambique?
The capital is Maputo. The currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN) and the language spoken is Portuguese.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Mozambique?
The closest matches are Bahamas, Equatorial Guinea and Jordan, which share both the construction and most of the colours.