The Secret History Behind Malawi's Flag
Malawi changed its flag in 2010 and changed it back two years later.
The original flag was adopted on July 6, 1964, when Nyasaland became independent and was renamed Malawi. It is a black, red and green horizontal triband with a red rising sun with 31 rays on the black stripe. Black stands for the people, red for the blood shed in the struggle for independence, and green for the country's vegetation. The rising sun is the dawn of hope and freedom, and its 31 rays are said to mark Malawi as the 31st African country to become independent.
In 2010, under President Bingu wa Mutharika, a new flag was introduced: red, black and green stripes, with a full white sun of 45 rays that stood for the economic growth since independence. Many Malawians objected, and on May 28, 2012, President Joyce Banda restored the original flag.
The date printed on every Malawi design in our catalog, July 6, 1964, is Independence Day.
A sun that rose, set and rose again.
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.