The Secret History Behind Ethiopia's Flag
Ethiopia's green, yellow and red went on to travel across a whole continent.
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa. After defeating the Italian army at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, it stayed out of European control, and in October 1897 Emperor Menelik II adopted the tricolor flag.
When other African countries gained independence, many adopted the same three colors in tribute to Ethiopia's resistance. They are known today as the Pan-African colors.
Green is read as hope and the fertility of the land, yellow as justice and harmony, and red as sacrifice and heroism in the defense of the land. The blue disk with a yellow star in the center of today's flag was adopted on October 31, 1996.
The date printed on every Ethiopia design in our catalog, May 28, 1991, marks the day a new government took power.
Three colors, one victory at Adwa, and a banner for a whole continent.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.