Flag of Lesotho

What the flag means

Deputy Prime Minister Lesao Lehohla described the colours as blue for rain, white for peace and green for prosperity. He said the hat makes the flag easy to identify with the Basotho people and that its black stands for Africa.

History

The flag replaced one introduced on 20 January 1987 by the military government that took power in 1986, which showed a shield, assegai and knobkierrie. Four new designs were put forward, all with a brown hat recalling the 1966 independence flag, and the hat was later made black. The National Assembly passed the National Flag Bill on 18 September 2006 by 84 votes to 18, the Senate followed, and the flag was unveiled for the 40th anniversary of independence.

Earlier flags of Lesotho

1. 1884–1966Union Flag of the United Kingdom, used in Basutoland
2. 1966–1987Flag in blue, green and red with a white Basotho hat
3. 1987–2006Diagonal white, blue and green design with a shield, assegai and knobkierrie

Flags of Lesotho's neighbours

• South Africa