Flag of Mozambique

Flag origins

Mozambique’s flag has horizontal green, black and yellow or gold bands separated by narrow white lines, with a red triangle beside the flagpole. Inside the triangle are a yellow star, an open book, a hoe and a gun. Mozambique’s Constitution explicitly defines the colors’ meanings: green for the riches of the land; black for the African continent; yellow for mineral wealth; white for the justice of the Mozambican people’s struggle and for peace; and red for resistance to colonialism, the armed liberation struggle and defense of sovereignty. The symbols also have defined meanings: the star represents the international solidarity of the Mozambican people; the book study and education; the hoe production and agriculture; and the gun defense. These are constitutional provisions, not merely popular interpretations.

Flag story

Mozambique’s most striking flag feature is the depiction of a modern military firearm. It is generally identified as an AK-47-type rifle, placed together with an open book and a hoe. The three elements bring together learning, working and producing, and defending the country. The government also officially explains the book, hoe and weapon as symbols of study, production and defense. A modern firearm shown so prominently is highly unusual among current national flags and is one of the strongest clues for identifying Mozambique. The country gained independence from Portugal on June 25, 1975. This history explains the strong connections between the red color, the gun and the independence struggle.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Mozambique — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

Report an error