Flag of Kazakhstan

A sky-blue field with a gold sun of 32 rays above a soaring gold steppe eagle. A vertical band of gold national ornament runs along the hoist.

What the flag means

The blue is usually explained as the sky and water, the sun as life and wealth, and the eagle as freedom, state power and the country's future. The sun's rays are shaped like grain, a sign of plenty. The hoist ornament is the koshkar-muiz pattern, meaning 'ram's horns'.

History

After independence in December 1991, Kazakhstan kept the Soviet-era flag until June 1992. Unlike several other former Soviet republics, it had no earlier national flag to restore. The government announced a design contest on 2 January 1992, and the entry by Shaken Niyazbekov was chosen. Law No. 1372-XII of 4 June 1992 adopted the flag.

Earlier flags of Kazakhstan

1953–1992Kazakh SSR: red with a light blue stripe, hammer, sickle and star

Flags of Kazakhstan's neighbours

Sources

Wikipedia: Flag of Kazakhstan
Flags of the World: Kazakhstan

Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Read how we research flags in our editorial policy, or report a mistake.