Flag of Zimbabwe
countryThe flag of Zimbabwe was adopted on April 18, 1980. Seven horizontal bands with a white hoist triangle, red star and Zimbabwe Bird. It uses 5 colours: green, yellow, red, black and white. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Zimbabwe |
| Capital | Harare |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | ZW / ZWE |
| Internet Domain | .zw |
| Calling Code | +263 |
| Currency | Botswana pula (BWP), Chinese yuan (CNY), Euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), Indian rupee (INR), Japanese yen (JPY), United States dollar (USD), South African rand (ZAR), Zimbabwean bonds (ZWB) |
| National Language(s) | Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language |
| Demonym | Zimbabwean |
| Area | 390,757 km² |
| Population | 16 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | April 18, 1980 |
| First Used | 1980 |
| Current Version Adopted | April 18, 1980 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 5 |
| Main Colors | Green, Yellow, Red, Black, White |
| Design Type | Seven horizontal bands with a white hoist triangle, red star and Zimbabwe Bird |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Zimbabwe |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #319208 | 49, 146, 8 | 66, 0, 95, 43 | |
| Yellow | #FFD200 | 255, 210, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 | |
| Red | #D40000 | 212, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 17 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents agriculture and the countryside |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the mineral wealth, especially gold |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed during the liberation war |
| Black colour | Represents the native black population |
| White colour | Represents peace |
| Zimbabwe Bird | The soapstone bird found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the national emblem |
| Red star | The nation’s aspiration and the revolutionary struggle |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980 | The design was first used |
| 1980-04-18 | 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) |
Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe
| 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 | 46 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | April 18, 1980 |
| Oldest Version | 1980 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Comoros |
| Unique Feature | Seven horizontal bands with a white hoist triangle, red star and Zimbabwe Bird |
Other horizontal bands with a hoist triangle flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Zimbabwe
- The Zimbabwe Bird in the white triangle is a soapstone carving found at the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, and is the country's principal national emblem.
- The red star behind the bird represents the aspirations of the liberation struggle.
- The seven bands are arranged symmetrically, so the flag reads the same way up or down apart from the hoist triangle.
- The flag of Zimbabwe was officially adopted on April 18, 1980.
- The flag in its present form is 46 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Seven horizontal bands with a white hoist triangle, red star and Zimbabwe Bird.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 5 colours: green, yellow, red, black and white.
- The green on the flag stands for agriculture and the countryside.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the mineral wealth, especially gold.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed during the liberation war.
- Zimbabwe Bird: The soapstone bird found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the national emblem.
- Red star: The nation’s aspiration and the revolutionary struggle.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bands with a hoist triangle" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Comoros.
- Zimbabwe became independent on 18 April 1980 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport, with cricket and swimming strong internationally.
- The national animal is the sable antelope, with the Zimbabwe Bird as the national emblem on the flag.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Zimbabwe
When was the flag of Zimbabwe adopted?
The flag of Zimbabwe was officially adopted on April 18, 1980.
What do the colours of the flag of Zimbabwe mean?
Green for agriculture and the countryside, yellow for the mineral wealth, especially gold, red for the blood shed during the liberation war, black for the native black population and white for peace.
When did Zimbabwe gain independence?
Zimbabwe became independent on 18 April 1980 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Zimbabwe?
Football is the most popular sport, with cricket and swimming strong internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Zimbabwe represent?
Zimbabwe Bird — The soapstone bird found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the national emblem. Red star — The nation’s aspiration and the revolutionary struggle.
What are the proportions of the flag of Zimbabwe?
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 Zimbabwe?
The national anthem is "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe".
When is the national day of Zimbabwe?
It falls on 18 April, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Zimbabwe?
The national animal is the sable antelope, with the Zimbabwe Bird as the national emblem on the flag.
What is the capital of Zimbabwe?
The capital is Harare. The currency is the Botswana pula (BWP), Chinese yuan (CNY), Euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), Indian rupee (INR), Japanese yen (JPY), United States dollar (USD), South African rand (ZAR), Zimbabwean bonds (ZWB) and the language spoken is Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language.