Flag Overview
What does the flag of the Ivory Coast look like? The Ivory Coast flag is three vertical bands of orange, white, and green.
Meaning of the Flag
Even though the flag of the Ivory Coast features just three bands of color, each color has symbolism behind it. According to the Minister of State when the flag was adopted, the colors are designed to represent the earth and the struggle for independence, peace, and hope and certainty for the future.
Later in the 1960s, it was said that the colors represented the national blossoming of the land and the Northern Savannas, peace and unity, and the forest of the Ivory Coast. Another person wrote that the flag’s colors represent the green forest, white lagoon and orange savanna landscapes of the Ivory Coast.
Colors of the Flag
The Ivory Coast’s national flag is made up of three colors. It is a vertical triband of colors starting with orange on the hoist side, white in the center, and green on the right side of the flag.
History of the Flag
Before it gained its independence, the Ivory Coast was under the rule of the French. For that reason, it used the French tricolor flag. However, the colony was designated as an autonomous state in 1958. At that time, the Ivory Coast was allowed to adopt a new flag. The flag was passed into law in 1959. The following year, the Ivory Coast declared full independence. During this time, a new constitution was written and a new flag was proposed. It was proposed to change the color orange to red to represent the blood that the nation was willing to shed to defend its independence. However, legislators did not agree with this change, and the original flag was retained. To this day, the flag that was adopted in 1959 still flies.
Flag Facts
The flag of the Ivory Coast is very similar to Ireland’s flag.
The flag of Niger also has a similar tricolor flag using the same colors as the flag of the Ivory Coast.
