The flag of Ethiopia uses three colors: red, yellow and green.

Two sets of three colors are referred to as the Pan-African colors.

The term "Pan-African colors" sometimes refers to red, gold and green. These colors are now found on the flags of many African nations, and originate in Ethiopia, from where they have relevance for Rastafarianism. Except for a brief period of occupation by Italy under the Fascists, Ethiopia remained outside European control during the colonial era, and was therefore admired by many newly-independent African states. The adoption of the Ethiopian national colors was a consequence of this. The first African state to adopt red, gold and green for her flag upon independence was Ghana in 1957.

According to the UNIA constitution, the Pan-African colors are red, black and green, "red representing the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the color black for black people whose dignity is upheld by the existence of the flag, green for the abundant natural wealth of the Motherland, Africa." The UNIA flag, which can be seen here, was designated the official colors of the African Race by the UNIA at its convention in Madison Square Garden on August 13, 1920 in New York City.

The following are countries that combine three to four of red, black, green, and yellow in their flags as representative of their African identity.

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Congo-Brazzaville
• Dominica
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Mali
• Mozambique
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Togo
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

See also

• Pan-Slavic colors
• Pan-Arab colors
• Red, black and green flag

External links

• Flag Story