Flag of Timor-Leste

What the flag means

Section 15 of the 2002 constitution sets the meanings: yellow for the traces of colonialism, black for the obscurantism that has to be overcome, red for the struggle for national liberation and white for peace. The star is 'the light that guides'.

History

Fretilin, the independence party, used a flag with the same colours and a white star. Natalino Leitão, a Fretilin activist later killed resisting the Indonesian invasion, is credited with designing the national flag, which was raised when Fretilin declared independence on 28 November 1975. Indonesia invaded nine days later. The United Nations flag flew during UN administration from 1999, and the 1975 design returned when Timor-Leste became independent on 20 May 2002.

Earlier flags of Timor-Leste

1. 1910–1975Flag of Portugal, flown in Portuguese Timor
2. 1999–2002United Nations flag, during the UN transitional administration

Flags of Timor-Leste's neighbours

• Indonesia