Which Flags Are Red, White, and Green? 18 Countries & Regions

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Discover the history & symbolism behind these countries’ flags
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Looking for a red, white, and green flag but not sure which country it belongs to? Have no fear, because we’re here to help on your quest to find that elusive flag and expand your knowledge of the world and its cultures! Below, you’ll find a complete list of every country that flies a red, white, and green flag (along with some other notable regions that claim this color scheme). We’ll also cover some similar flag color palettes and dive into the history and symbolism behind these colors.

Which country has a red, white, and green flag?

Eighteen countries and regions have a red, white, and green flag. These include Abkhazia, Algeria, the Basque Country, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burundi, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Suriname, Tajikistan, and Wales.

Section 1 of 3:

18 Red, White, and Green Flags

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  1. The flag of Abkhazia—a partially-recognized republic bordered by Russia and Georgia—features horizontal green and white stripes with a red rectangle in the upper-left corner. The rectangle contains an open hand in white that’s surrounded by a semi-circle of seven white stars. [1]
    • Symbolism: The red rectangle is made to resemble the banner of the medieval Kingdom of Abkhazia, while the open hand within it represents a welcome greeting to friends and a halting warning to enemies. The seven stars may represent the seven historical regions of the country: Sadzen, Bzyp, Gumaa, Abzhywa, Samurzaqan, Dal-Tsabal, and Pskhuy-Aibga.
    • There are also seven total stripes, which correspond to the Abkhaz’ sacred number 7. The green and white colors may also represent the tolerance and coexistence between Christianity and Islam.
    • Adoption: Abkhazia’s flag was officially adopted on July 23rd, 1992, when the Declaration of Independence of Abkhazia was also officially written.
  2. 2
    Algeria The Algerian flag is split vertically down the middle, with the left side being entirely green and the right side being entirely white. In the center, there’s a red crescent surrounding a five-pointed star. [2]
    • Symbolism: The green on the flag is said to represent agriculture as well as Islam, which is the dominant religion in Algeria. The red crescent and star are also traditional symbols of Islam. The white color, meanwhile, is thought to symbolize purity and peace.
    • The red shade may also symbolize the blood that was spilled in order to secure Algeria’s independence from France.
    • Adoption: This flag was adopted in Algeria on July 3rd, 1962, after a similar design was used by the exiled Algerian government from 1958 to 1962. [3]
    • Before this period, an early version of the flag was used by Algerian nationalist movements beginning in the 1920s, including throughout the Algerian War of Independence.
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  3. 3
    Basque Country The Basque flag features a red field with a green saltire and white cross laid over it. In layman’s terms, the flag—which is also known as the Ikurriña—has a red background with a white + shape and a green X shape. Both shapes intersect in the flag’s center and continue out to the edges of the banner. [4]
    • Symbolism: The red field of the Basque flag represents Biscay, which is a province of the Basque Country that the flag initially represented before being more widely adopted.
    • The green saltire represents the Oak of Gernika, a symbol of Basque independence, and the white cross represents the Basque people’s Catholicism and devotion to God.
    • Adoption: The Ikurriña was designed by Sabino Arana in 1894 as the Biscay flag, but the Basque National Party adopted it as the flag of the entire Basque Country in 1933.
    • The flag was used as the Basque Auxiliary Navy’s Naval jack during the Spanish Civil War, although it was banned by the dictatorial Franco regime after the Basque government’s defeat in 1938. However, it was still used in the French Basque provinces and by ETA, a Basque separatist group.
  4. 4
    Belarus Belarus’ flag is split horizontally into red and green—the top two-thirds of the flag is red, while the bottom one-third section is green. An ornamental pattern in red and white runs down the left side of the flag. [5]
    • Symbolism: The flag’s red stripe symbolizes sacrifice and freedom in the fight for Belarusian independence, while the green one represents life and growth. The ornamental pattern is derived from Belarusian folk embroidery, paying homage to the country’s rich cultural history and customs.
    • Adoption: Belarus has adopted other flags before the modern one. Their first flag was a plain white design, referencing their name (which means “White Russia”). Later on, a white, red, and white flag was used, with the design being inspired by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania’s coat of arms.
    • During the Soviet era, Belarus adopted the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic flag. This flag featured horizontal red stripes (representing communism) and light green stripes (representing the country’s natural fields and forests). There was also a gold hammer and sickle with a red star in the flag’s upper corner.
    • After the communist Soviet government fell, Belarus returned to the white-red-white flag until 1995, when the current flag was adopted.
  5. 5
    Bulgaria Bulgaria has a tri-colored, horizontally-striped flag in red, white, and green. The flag features three equal horizontal stripes with white on the top, green in the middle, and red on the bottom. [6]
    • Symbolism: The white color on the flag symbolizes peace, the green symbolizes the country’s rich agricultural landscapes, and the red symbolizes the courage shown and the sacrifices made during the nation’s fight for independence.
    • Adoption: The current flag was created in 1878 to symbolize Bulgarian independence from Ottoman rule after the Russo-Turkish War. However, it wasn’t officially recognized until April 16, 1879. It was then re-established in the 1991 Constitution of Bulgaria and set in law in 1998.
  6. 6
    Burundi The Burundi flag features a white X shape with a white circle laid over its point of intersection. The white circle contains three red, six-pointed stars with green outlines. The left and right sections of the flag—bordered by the X shape—are filled in with green, while the top and bottom sections are solid red. [7]
    • Symbolism: The white X-shape (referred to as a saltire) symbolizes peace for the country, specifically in the wake of a history of ethnic conflict. The red sections symbolize the bloodshed during the struggles for independence and freedom, while the green sections symbolize hope for the nation’s future. [8]
    • The three red stars represent Burundi’s three dominant ethnic groups—the Hutu, the Twa, and the Tutsi. [9]
    • Adoption: The flag was adopted on June 28, 1967 after the country’s independence from Belgium in 1962. [10]
  7. 7
    Hungary A horizontal red, white, and green flag is the Hungarian flag. The design features three horizontal stripes of equal height and width—the top stripe is red, the middle one is white, and the bottom one is green. [11]
    • Symbolism: The flag’s red stripe symbolizes strength and power, the white one symbolizes faithfulness, loyalty, and purity, and the green one represents the country’s natural landscapes as well as hope and optimism.
    • These colors also derive from the Hungarian coat of arms used in the Middle Ages, specifically the coats of arms of the House of Árpád.
    • Adoption: The tricolor design was first used by national republican groups during the 19th and 19th centuries, but it became more popular during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. The flag was finally adopted as the official national flag in 1957, after which it was reaffirmed in 1990. [12]
  8. 8
    Iran The Iranian flag has horizontal red, white, and green stripes with an emblem in the center. More specifically, the flag is horizontally divided into equal sections—the top stripe is green, the middle one is white, and the bottom one is red. Within the white stripe (and in the center of the flag), there’s a red “tulip and sword” design which symbolizes the Islamic declaration of faith: La Ilaha Illa Allah (“There is no god but God”). Text also runs along the central edges of the green and white stripes, repeating Allah Akbar (“God is the greatest”) in white script. [13]
    • Symbolism: The flag’s green stripe represents the Islamic faith and prosperity, the white stripe represents peace, and the red stripe represents bravery and martyrdom.
    • Before 1979, Iran’s flag had the same tricolor of stripes, but the emblem depicted a lion and a sun together. This “Lion and Sun” design was popular in Persia as a symbol of power and royalty.
    • Adoption: After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the modern flag was adopted.
  9. 9
    Italy A vertically-striped red, white, and green flag is the Italian flag. Known as the Tricolore, Italy’s flag features equally-sized vertical stripes of green, white, and red. The leftmost stripe is green, the middle one is white, and the rightmost one is red. [14]
    • Symbolism: The green is thought to represent Italy’s green landscapes, while the white is thought to represent the snowy Alps mountain range. Red, on the other hand, likely symbolizes the blood spilled during Italy’s multiple wars of independence.
    • The colors of the Italian flag are also derived from Milan’s coat of arms, which is red and white, and the uniforms of the Milanese civic guard, which are green.
    • Some claim that the flag’s tricolor design was inspired by the French flag, which Napoleon introduced to Italy. However, this historical inspiration has never been confirmed. [15]
    • Adoption: The modern flag was adopted as the official flag of Italy in 1946.
  10. 10
    Kurdistan The officially-recognized Kurdish flag is a tri-color flag with equally-sized red, white, and green horizontal stripes. The top stripe is red, the middle one is white, and the bottom one is green. In the center of the flag, there’s a yellow sun with 21 identical rays. [16]
    • Symbolism: The red stripe symbolizes martyrdom and the fight for freedom, the white stripe symbolizes peace and equality, and the green stripe symbolizes the beautiful natural landscapes of Kurdistan and the life and vitality they bring.
    • The sun symbol at the center of the flag is derived from an ancient symbol of the sun, representing light and the source of all life.
    • The sun’s 21 rays—which are distinct from each other but equal in size and shape—represent March 21st. Newroz, or the Kurdish New Year, is celebrated on this date, and the number 21 is religiously significant and sacred in Yazdani customs.
    • Adoption: In general, the flag is touted as a symbol of Kurdish identity and their fight for independence, freedom, dignity, and self-determination. The flag was first presented at the Paris Peace Conference in 1920, and it was first flown over the Republic of Mahabad’s government institutions in 1945.
  11. 11
    Lebanon The Lebanese flag features two red stripes, one larger white stripe, and a green tree emblem in the center. The stripes lay horizontally across the flag, with the white stripe taking up the center two quarters of the flag, and each of the red stripes occupying one quarter of the flag's total height on the top and bottom. In the center, there is a green cedar tree, which is the national symbol of Lebanon. [17]
    • Symbolism: The red stripes represent the blood shed by fighters in the struggle for independence, while the white one symbolizes peace and purity. The green of the tree, while depicting Lebanon’s national symbol, also represents hope and growth toward the future. [18]
    • Adoption: The flag was adopted in 1943, just before Lebanon declared independence from France. Earlier designs included a white flag with a green cedar tree, which was used by Lebanese citizens in 1918 before their revolt against Ottoman rule.
    • Other early flags featured plain yellow or white-red diagonal designs, such as the flags used by the Maanid Emirate (1119–1697) and the Ayyubid Dynasty (1171–1260).
  12. 12
    Madagascar The flag of Madagascar features a vertical white stripe on the left and horizontal red and green stripes (of equal size) on the right. The red stripe is on the top of the flag, while the green stripe sits on the bottom. [19]
    • Symbolism: The white stripe represents purity, freedom, and security. The red section represents sovereignty and national unity, as well as the country’s long line of historical monarchies. The green section, lastly, represents hope and Madagascar’s lush greenery along the coastal hinterlands and central highlands.
    • The flag’s colors are largely derived from the Merina kingdom, which later became part of Madagascar. The last Merina monarch—Queen Ranavalona III—used red and white in her flag.
    • The red-white-green shades may also be influenced by Indonesian customs, as many Malagasy people have roots in Indonesia.
    • Adoption: The modern flag was officially adopted in 1958, with Madagascar becoming fully independent from France two years later, on June 26, 1960. [20]
  13. 13
    Maldives The flag of the Maldives features a green rectangle in the center that’s surrounded by a thick red border. A white crescent moon sits in the very center of the flag. [21]
    • Symbolism: The red field of the flag represents the bravery of and the blood shed by the Maldivian people in defending their country.
    • The green color of the rectangle symbolizes peace and prosperity, while also referencing the many palm trees in the Maldives.
    • The white crescent moon, meanwhile, is a representation of the Islamic faith, which is the state religion of the Maldives.
    • Adoption: The first Maldivian flag was a simple red banner, but a black and white striped bar was added to the left side in 1903. The white crescent then appeared in 1926, with the green rectangle being added in 1953.
    • Finally, in 1965, the black and white stripes were removed after the Maldives achieved independence from the British Empire.
  14. 14
    Mexico Mexico’s flag design features three equally-sized vertical stripes of red, white, and green. The leftmost stripe is green, the middle one is white, and the rightmost one is red. In the center of the flag (within the white stripe), there’s a depiction of the Mexican coat of arms. The coat of arms depicts an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth, which represents the Aztec legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City). [22]
    • Symbolism: The Mexican flag’s green stripe represents independence and victory, while the white stripe represents purity, unity, and Roman Catholicism. The red stripe represents the sacrifice and blood shed by Mexico’s national heroes, as well as the unity between different groups within the nation.
    • Originally, however, these three colors were chosen to represent the Three Guarantees of Iguala (a historic city in Mexico). These three guarantees were independence (green), Catholicism (white), and social equality (red).
    • Adoption: The earliest version of the modern Mexican flag appeared in 1921 after Mexico gained its independence from Spain. The flag went on to be officially adopted on September 16th, 1968.
  15. 15
    Oman The Omani flag features a vertical red band running down its leftmost side, as well as three horizontal stripes of equal size in red, white, and green. The vertical red stripe contains the national emblem—two crossed swords and a curved dagger (khanjar )—at the top. The three horizontal stripes sit to the left of the vertical stripe, proceeding in the following color order from top to bottom: white, red, and green. [23]
    • Symbolism: The white stripe represents peace and prosperity, the green represents the land’s fertility and the Jabal al-Akhdar (Green Mountains), and the red stripes represent the battles fought to defend Oman from invaders.
    • Adoption: The flag was adopted officially on December 17th, 1970. Prior to this year, Oman used a plain red flag, which was known as the banner of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.
  16. 16
    Suriname The Suriname flag features horizontal stripes of red, white, and green with varying sizes. There are two equal horizontal stripes in green at the top and bottom of the flag. On the inner side of each green stripe is a smaller white stripe. Sandwiched in the middle is a single, large red stripe with a yellow five-pointed star in the center. [24]
    • Symbolism: The green stripes represent Suriname’s abundant agriculture and jungles. The white stripes represent freedom, independence, and justice. The red stripe represents progress and an optimistic outlook toward a brighter future for the Surinamese people.
    • The yellow star in the center of the flag represents unity, future prosperity, and the sacrifices by the country and its people in the pursuit of independence.
    • Adoption: The flag was officially adopted on November 25, 1975, after Suriname gained its independence from the Netherlands. The design was entered in a national competition by creator Jack Pinas, and it was chosen as the winning flag by the Surinamese Parliament.
  17. 17
    Tajikistan The Tajikistan flag is horizontally striped in shades of red, white, and green. The stripes are of equal size, with the top one being red, the middle one white, and the bottom one green. In the center of the flag, there’s a gold crown surrounded by a semicircle of seven gold stars. [25]
    • Symbolism: The red stripe symbolizes unity, victory, and the rising sun. The white stripe symbolizes purity, morality, and the nation’s snow-capped mountain ranges. The green stripe represents the Islamic religion, as well as Tajikistan’s abundant nature and valley regions.
    • The central crown symbol represents the Tajik people, as the word “Tajik” is rooted in the Persian word for “crown.”
    • The seven golden stars around the crown derive from the Persian religion, in which heaven is said to be made up of seven mountains and seven stars.
    • Adoption: The current flag was officially adopted on November 24th, 1992, after Tajikistan secured its independence from the Soviet Union. The prior Soviet Tajik Republic flag had a similar design, but it lacked the crown and stars, which were added to represent unity between different nationalities and social classes.
  18. 18
    Wales The Welsh flag is divided into two equal, horizontal stripes—with white on the top and green on the bottom. A large red dragon is depicted over the top of these stripes. Fittingly, the flag of Wales is known as Y Ddraig Goch , or “The Red Dragon.” [26]
    • Symbolism: The green and white stripes borrow the colors of the Tudor family. Green and white were adopted by Henry VII, the first Tudor king, and the Tudor family wore the shades on their livery.
    • It’s also said that the green stripe represents Wales’ lush greenery and rolling hills, as well as the leek vegetable (a national emblem of the nation), while the white represents peace and harmony.
    • The red dragon is an important and powerful symbol of Welsh heritage and identity. The symbol has been around since ancient times and it's often referenced in Arthurian legends and stories.
    • Adoption: The design of a red dragon on a white and green background was a popular emblem on Henry VIII’s Royal Navy Ships. The modern version of the flag was officially adopted as the national flag of Wales in 1959.
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Section 2 of 3:

What do green, white, and red represent in a flag?

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  1. Green represents nature or Islam, white represents peace or purity, and red represents courage or bloodshed. But, each flag design is different, as is the inspiration behind it, so the shades of green, white, and red may have different meanings and symbolisms from flag to flag. However, there are certain common themes amongst national flags and the colors chosen for them. Here are the most common meanings behind the flag colors red, white, and green:
    • Green: Agriculture, earth, the natural environment, fertility, growth, prosperity, new life, hope, independence, and Islam (as it was believed to be the favorite color of the Prophet Muhammad). [27]
    • White: Peace, purity, innocence, surrender, truce, religious faith, unity. [28]
    • Red: Courage, bravery, revolution, strength, resilience, determination, bloodshed, sacrifice, love, charity, compassion. [29]
Section 3 of 3:

Flags with Similar Colors

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  1. Countries with red, white, green, and black flags include: Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Sahara. Red, white, green, and black flags are often associated (although not exclusively) with Arab countries, as these are the Pan-Arab colors. [30]
    • Most countries that use this color palette have three horizontal stripes and a sideways triangle, rectangle, or trapezoid on their flag, including Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Western Sahara.
    • Libya and Kenya both use three horizontal stripes in black, red, and green. However, Libya has a center symbol of a crescent moon with a star, while Kenya’s center symbol is a black Maasai shield and two crossed spears.
    • Syria and Iraq use the same color pattern with three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black. However, the Syrian flag has green stars in the center while the Iraqi flag has the inscription “Allāhu akbar” (“God is great”).
    • The Afghanistan flag is the most unique, with three vertical stripes in the color palette and a center emblem depicting the black Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith).
  2. 2
    Red and green flags Countries with green and red flags include Bangladesh, Morocco, and Portugal. There are other regions and districts of the world that also have green and red flags, including the Arauca Department (Colombia), La Paz (Bolivia), Piaseczno (Poland), and the Zaporozhye Oblast (Ukraine, controlled by Russia).
    • The Bangladeshi flag features a red disc in the center of a dark green background. [31]
    • The Moroccan flag depicts a green, five-pointed star on a dark red background. [32]
    • Portugal’s flag is vertically divided into green and red sections, with an emblem of the national coat of arms on the dividing line. [33]
  3. Countries with white, green, and orange flags include Ireland, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), India, and the West African Republic of Niger. [34] The Irish flag’s orange stripe represents the country’s Protestant population, while the Indian flag’s orange stripe represents saffron. In the flags of both the Ivory Coast and Niger, the orange stripe represents the northern desert regions of the respective countries. [35]
    • The Irish flag is split into three vertical stripes of green, white, and orange.
    • The Indian flag contains three horizontal strips in green, white, and orange, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra (which resembles a wheel) in the center.
    • The Côte d'Ivoire is split into three vertical stripes of orange, white, and green (in the opposite order of the Irish flag).
    • Niger’s flag has horizontal stripes in orange, white, and green with an orange circle in the center.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://abkhazworld.com/aw/current-affairs/2462-the-story-of-abkhazia-s-flag-a-symbol-of-independence
      2. ↑ https://csames.illinois.edu/system/files/2020-12/Flag_Algeria.pdf
      3. ↑ https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/algeria/81223.htm
      4. ↑ https://nabasque.eus/ikurrina.html
      5. ↑ https://president.gov.by/en/president/detjam/flag
      6. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Bulgaria
      7. ↑ https://icap.columbia.edu/where-we-work/burundi/flag_of_burundi/
      8. ↑ https://eaglepubs.erau.edu/dronesacrosstheworld/chapter/burundi/
      9. ↑ https://eaglepubs.erau.edu/dronesacrosstheworld/chapter/burundi/
      1. ↑ https://www.worldatlas.com/flags/burundi
      2. ↑ https://iaunrc.indiana.edu/about/our-region/countries/hungary.html
      3. ↑ https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/october-2016-remembering-56-hungarian-revolution-sixty
      4. ↑ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy
      5. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Italy
      6. ↑ https://www.glendale.edu/academics/academic-divisions/language-arts-division/programs/foreign-language/italian/100-facts-about-italy
      7. ↑ https://thekurdishproject.org/history-and-culture/kurdish-culture/kurdish-flag/
      8. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Lebanon
      9. ↑ https://arabicwithoutwalls.ucdavis.edu/chapter13/didyouknow.html
      10. ↑ https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/mad128141.pdf
      11. ↑ https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/madagascar/124035.htm
      12. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-Maldives
      13. ↑ https://web.stanford.edu/~hakuta/www/archives/syllabi/E_CLAD/SU_SFUSD_cult/fuller/History+of+Flag.htm
      14. ↑ https://www.fm.gov.om/about-oman/state/flag-emblem-and-national-anthem/
      15. ↑ https://specify6-prod.nhm.ku.edu/south-american-flags-explained-meanings-colors-and-symbolism
      16. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Tajikistan
      17. ↑ https://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/anthro/jbeatty/scotia/issue26/issue26a.html
      18. ↑ https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/what-were-the-favorite-colors-of-the-prophet/
      19. ↑ https://www.usa.gov/flag
      20. ↑ https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/flag-colors.html
      21. ↑ http://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-red-green-white-and-black-flags
      22. ↑ https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/bangladesh
      23. ↑ https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/72200/72232/72232_mc_flag_col.htm
      24. ↑ https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_868174
      25. ↑ https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/the-four-countries-with-green-white-and-orange-in-their-flag/
      26. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Niger

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