Introduction
The flag of South Sudan is a horizontal tricolor of black, red, and green separated by two thin white fimbriations. At the hoist side is a blue equilateral triangle that extends from the hoist to the center of the flag. Centered within this blue triangle is a five-pointed gold star, which is a prominent and distinctive feature of the design.
The flag's layout is reminiscent of other African liberation flags, particularly that of Kenya, but its specific color symbolism and the single star set it apart as a unique national emblem. Its proportions and the specific arrangement of the pan-African colors are defined in the country's transitional constitution.
Adopted upon independence, the flag serves as a powerful symbol of the world's youngest nation, representing its hard-won sovereignty and aspirations for the future. The design is both visually striking and rich in symbolic meaning directly tied to the nation's geography, people, and history.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors and symbols of the South Sudanese flag carry deep, intentional meaning. The black stripe represents the people of South Sudan, the red stripe symbolizes the blood shed for liberation, and the green stripe stands for the country's agricultural land and natural resources. The white fimbriations denote peace and goodwill between the nation's diverse ethnic groups.
The blue triangle at the hoist represents the waters of the Nile River, a vital geographical feature. The golden star centered within the blue triangle is officially described as the "Star of Bethlehem," symbolizing the unity of the states of South Sudan and guiding the nation and its people toward a bright future.
History of the South Sudan Flag
The flag of South Sudan was originally designed and adopted as the banner of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) during the Second Sudanese Civil War. It was officially adopted as the national flag upon the country's independence on July 9, 2011, following a referendum where an overwhelming majority voted for secession from Sudan.
The design was retained from the SPLM flag to symbolize the struggle and sacrifice that led to nationhood. Its legal status and specifications are detailed in Schedule (A) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011, which came into effect on independence day.
Curiosities
- South Sudan's flag is one of the few national flags in the world to feature a blue triangle at the hoist, a design element it shares with the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico.
- The flag's design was reportedly created by Samuel Ajak, who was an SPLA commander and engineer, though this attribution is considered unverified by some official sources.
- As the national flag of the world's youngest internationally recognized country (as of 2024), it was first officially hoisted at the independence ceremony in Juba on July 9, 2011.
Download Flag
Download the flag of South Sudan 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's official proportions are 1:2 (height to width). The flag is divided into three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red (middle), and green (bottom). These bands are separated by two thin white fimbriations, each one-fifteenth the width of the flag. A blue equilateral triangle based on the hoist side extends its apex to the center of the flag. A five-pointed gold star is centered within this blue triangle.
Flags Similar to South Sudan Flag
Kenya
layout and colors · black/red/green/white), Malawi (black/red/green), Ghana (red/gold/green/black star
South Sudan
pan-Arab colors, triangle
Cuba
blue triangle at hoist
Common Misidentifications
Often confused with the flag of Kenya due to the similar horizontal tricolor of black, red, and green separated by white fimbriations, though Kenya's flag features a Maasai shield and crossed spears in the center.