The Secret History Behind Angola's Flag
Angola's flag carries tools instead of animals or stars.
Its layout comes from the banner of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, which led the independence struggle against Portugal. The flag was adopted on November 11, 1975, the day Angola became independent after a thirteen-year war.
The red stands for the blood shed by Angolans in the colonial period and the war for independence. The black stands for the African continent and its people.
The yellow emblem in the center combines a machete, for the peasants and the armed struggle, a half cogwheel, for the workers, and a five-pointed star, for international solidarity and progress.
The date printed on every Angola design in our catalog, November 11, 1975, is Independence Day.
Two colors, three symbols and a country built by hand.
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.