Flag of Somalia
countryThe flag of Somalia was adopted on October 12, 1954 to a design by Mohammed Awale Liban. Light blue field with a white star. It uses 2 colours: light blue and white. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Somalia |
|---|---|
| Country | Somalia |
| Official Country Name | Federal Republic of Somalia |
| Capital | Mogadishu |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | SO / SOM |
| Internet Domain | .so |
| Calling Code | +252 |
| Currency | Somali shilling (SOS) |
| National Language(s) | Arabic, Somali |
| Demonym | Somali |
| Area | 637,657 km² |
| Population | 19 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Somalia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 12, 1954 |
| First Used | 1954 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 12, 1954 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Light Blue, White |
| Designer | Mohammed Awale Liban |
| Design Type | Light blue field with a white star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Somalia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | #4189DD | 65, 137, 221 | 71, 38, 0, 13 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Light Blue colour | Represents originally the United Nations, later the sky and the Indian Ocean |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace and the star |
| White five-pointed star | The Star of Unity — its points stand for the five regions inhabited by Somali people |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1954 | The design was first used |
| 1954-10-12 | 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) |
Somalia 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 Somalia
| 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 | 72 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 12, 1954 |
| Oldest Version | 1954 |
| Designer | Mohammed Awale Liban |
| Most Common Color | Light Blue |
| Similar Flags | Antarctica, Arkansas, Aruba |
| Unique Feature | Light blue field with a white star |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Somalia
- The five-pointed white star represents the five regions historically inhabited by Somali people, across the borders of several states.
- The light blue was chosen in 1954 in reference to the United Nations flag, under whose trusteeship the territory was then administered — one of very few national flags to acknowledge an international body in its colours.
- The flag of Somalia was officially adopted on October 12, 1954. It was designed by Mohammed Awale Liban.
- The flag in its present form is 72 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Light blue field with a white star.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: light blue and white.
- The light blue on the flag stands for originally the United Nations, later the sky and the Indian Ocean.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and the star.
- White five-pointed star: The Star of Unity — its points stand for the five regions inhabited by Somali people.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba.
- Somalia became independent on 1 July 1960 from Italy and the United Kingdom.
- British Somaliland became independent on 26 June 1960 and united with Italian Somaliland five days later.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national animal is the leopard, which supports the coat of arms.
- The national anthem is "Qolobaa Calankeed".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 July, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Somalia
When was the flag of Somalia adopted?
The flag of Somalia was officially adopted on October 12, 1954.
What do the colours of the flag of Somalia mean?
Light blue for originally the United Nations, later the sky and the Indian Ocean and white for peace and the star.
When did Somalia gain independence?
Somalia became independent on 1 July 1960 from Italy and the United Kingdom. British Somaliland became independent on 26 June 1960 and united with Italian Somaliland five days later.
What is the national sport of Somalia?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Somalia represent?
White five-pointed star — The Star of Unity — its points stand for the five regions inhabited by Somali people.
Who designed the flag of Somalia?
The flag was designed by Mohammed Awale Liban.
What are the proportions of the flag of Somalia?
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 Somalia?
The national anthem is "Qolobaa Calankeed".
When is the national day of Somalia?
It falls on 1 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Somalia?
The national animal is the leopard, which supports the coat of arms.