Introduction
The national flag of Belarus is a distinctive red and green bicolor featuring a unique ornamental pattern on the hoist side. The flag's proportions are 1:2, making it one of the few national flags wider than it is tall. A vertical red-on-white Belarusian decorative pattern runs along the entire hoist, serving as a key national symbol.
The main field is divided into two horizontal bands: a wider upper red band and a narrower lower green band. In the top left corner of the red field, near the ornamental stripe, sits a red five-pointed star outlined in gold. This combination of folk art and socialist-inspired symbolism creates a flag that is immediately recognizable.
The design is officially defined by the Law "On the State Symbols of the Republic of Belarus" and its specific technical specifications. The flag's colors and patterns are deeply tied to the country's cultural heritage and its 20th-century history, resulting in a design that is both traditional and modern.
Meaning & Symbolism
The red color symbolizes the past struggles for freedom and the blood shed by the country's defenders, as well as representing victory and the sun. The green color at the bottom signifies hope, spring, revival, the lush forests and fields of Belarus, and a bright future. Together, these colors reflect the nation's landscape and historical journey.
The ornamental pattern on the hoist is a traditional Belarusian "rising sun" motif, symbolizing the richness of culture, the unity of the people, and the dawn of a new era. The red star is a historical symbol representing the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and the country's industrial and scientific progress. The star's gold outline adds a note of distinction and value.
History of the Belarus Flag
The current flag was adopted following a 1995 referendum called by President Alexander Lukashenko, which replaced the white-red-white flag used after independence in 1991. Its design is a modified version of the flag of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) as it appeared from 1951 until 1991, with the hammer, sickle, and communist star removed.
The ornamental pattern was designed in 1917 by Matrena Markevich, a peasant woman from the village of Kastsilishcha, and was first used on ceremonial towels. This pattern was incorporated into the BSSR flag design in 1951, creating a lasting link between Soviet-era symbolism and traditional Belarusian folk art.
Curiosities
- The Belarusian flag is one of only two national flags in the world (the other being Turkmenistan) to feature extensive ornamental patterns as a core design element.
- The specific shade of red used on the flag is defined in the state standard as Pantone 1795C, and the green is Pantone 355C.
- A presidential decree mandates that the flag must be flown daily, year-round, on the residence of the President of Belarus and on certain major government buildings.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Belarus in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag has a 1:2 ratio, meaning its length is twice its height. The field is divided into two horizontal bands: the upper red band occupies two-thirds (2/3) of the flag's height, and the lower green band occupies one-third (1/3). A vertical white stripe, one-ninth (1/9) of the flag's length, runs along the entire hoist. Centered on this white stripe is the red ornamental pattern, which must be precisely reproduced according to the official technical drawing. The red star is positioned so its upper point touches an imaginary line one-ninth (1/9) of the flag's length from the top edge, and its center is one-ninth (1/9) of the flag's length from the hoist.
Flags Similar to Belarus Flag
Turkmenistan
for the ornamental stripe
Bulgaria
white/green/red horizontal tricolor
Hungary
red/white/green horizontal tricolor
Madagascar
white/red/green
Common Misidentifications
Sometimes confused from a distance with other red-over-green flags or the reversed green-over-red flag of Hungary, but the unique ornamental stripe makes it distinct upon closer inspection.