Flag of Zambia

A green field with a block of three vertical stripes, red, black and orange, in the lower fly. An orange African fish eagle with spread wings is above the stripes.

What the flag means

No law sets out the meanings. The usual explanation is green for the country's plants and farming, red for the struggle for freedom, black for the Zambian people and orange for copper and other minerals. The eagle stands for the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.

History

Gabriel Ellison designed the flag, which was adopted at independence on 24 October 1964, when Kenneth Kaunda became president. It is based on the flag of the United National Independence Party and is set out in the National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act of 1965. In 1996 the green was made lighter and the eagle was redrawn to match the one on the coat of arms.

The emblem and stripes are in the fly, the edge away from the pole. Most national flags put their emblems in the centre or at the hoist.

Earlier flags of Zambia

1939–1964British Blue Ensign with the emblem of Northern Rhodesia

Flags of Zambia's neighbours

Sources

Wikipedia: Flag of Zambia
Flags of the World: Zambia

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