Culture · National symbols · The Gambia
Flag of The Gambia and national symbols
The flag of The Gambia has three horizontal bands — red at the top, blue in the middle and green at the bottom — separated by two thin white stripes. It was adopted on 18 February 1965, the day the country became independent. The colours are usually explained as the sun and savannah (red), the River Gambia (blue), the forests and farmland (green), and unity and peace (white).
The flag at a glance
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | Horizontal bands of red, blue and green, with narrow white stripes either side of the blue |
| Adopted | 18 February 1965 (Independence Day) |
| Proportions | 2:3 (height to width) |
| Red | The sun and the savannah |
| Blue | The River Gambia |
| Green | Forests and agriculture — the land that feeds the nation |
| White | Unity and peace |
What the colours mean
The flag is essentially a small map of the country. The blue band runs through the centre just as the River Gambia runs through the middle of the country from east to west, and the land on either side is represented by the other colours.
- Red stands for the sun, which is rarely absent in the long dry season, and for the savannah that covers much of the interior. It is sometimes also linked to the country's closeness to the equator.
- Blue represents the River Gambia, the country's lifeline and the reason for its shape. See the River Gambia guide.
- Green represents the forests and the agricultural land on which most rural Gambians depend — groundnuts, rice, millet and more.
- White stripes separate the bands and are usually said to symbolise unity and peace, sometimes described as the peaceful relationship between the people and the land and between the country's communities.
These meanings are the ones commonly given in official and educational sources; as with most flags, the wording varies a little depending on who tells it.
History of the flag
Before independence, The Gambia was a British colony and protectorate and used British colonial flags. The current flag was raised at independence on 18 February 1965 and has remained unchanged since, including when the country became a republic in 1970. Its design is generally credited to Louis Thomasi. Unlike many African flags, it does not use the pan-African combination of red, gold and green, and it is often noted that its colours carry no link to any political party — one reason it has endured through changes of government. The history guide covers the road to independence.
How to tell the Gambian flag apart
The Gambian flag is sometimes confused with other horizontal tricolours. The easiest way to identify it is the combination of red over blue over green with white stripes around the blue band. The blue band is also wider than the white stripes. On the logo at the top of this site you can see a small version of it.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of The Gambia dates from the independence era. It shows a shield bearing a crossed axe and hoe — tools that represent agriculture and the importance of farming to the nation — supported by two lions, each of which also holds one of these tools. Above the shield, as the arms are usually described, is an oil palm as the crest. Beneath it, a scroll carries the national motto.
The lions are often read as a link to the country's British colonial heritage, while the axe and hoe point to the agricultural labour on which the economy has always depended. The arms appear on official documents, government buildings and the presidential seal.
National motto: Progress, Peace, Prosperity
The Gambia's national motto is "Progress, Peace, Prosperity". It appears on the coat of arms and is widely used in official settings.
National anthem: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland"
The national anthem is "For The Gambia, Our Homeland", adopted at independence in 1965. The words are credited to Virginia Julie Howe, and the music was adapted from a traditional Mandinka melody. It is sung at state occasions, school assemblies and sporting events, including football matches of the national team. The anthem expresses dedication to the country, unity among its peoples, and hope for peace and progress.
When you will see the national symbols
- Independence Day, 18 February — the flag is everywhere, with parades and celebrations. See public holidays and festivals and events.
- Arch 22 in Banjul — the landmark gateway into the capital, built to commemorate the 22 July 1994 takeover, is a common place to see flags flying. See the Banjul city guide.
- Sport — fans of the national football team, nicknamed the Scorpions, wave the flag at matches at home and abroad.
- Crafts and souvenirs — flag colours appear on fabrics, bracelets and carvings in craft markets; see markets and crafts.
Flag etiquette
Treat the flag and anthem with the same respect you would in any country. Stand when the anthem is played at official events and avoid using the flag in ways that could be seen as disrespectful. Photographing government buildings, security installations and officials can be sensitive, so ask before taking pictures near them. The languages and etiquette guide has more on local customs.
Frequently asked questions
What do the colours of the Gambian flag mean?
Red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue for the River Gambia, green for the forests and agricultural land, and the two white stripes for unity and peace.
When was the flag of The Gambia adopted?
The flag was adopted on 18 February 1965, the day The Gambia became independent from the United Kingdom, and it has not changed since.
What is the order of the stripes on the Gambian flag?
From top to bottom: red, a thin white stripe, blue, a thin white stripe, and green.
What is the national motto of The Gambia?
The national motto is "Progress, Peace, Prosperity", which appears on the coat of arms.
What is the national anthem of The Gambia?
The national anthem is "For The Gambia, Our Homeland", adopted at independence in 1965. Its music was adapted from a traditional Mandinka melody.
What is on the Gambian coat of arms?
A shield with a crossed axe and hoe, representing agriculture, supported by two lions that also hold these tools, with the motto "Progress, Peace, Prosperity" beneath.
What to read next
- Facts about The Gambia — quick facts and fun facts.
- History of The Gambia — the road to independence.
- Government of The Gambia — how the state works.
- Public holidays — Independence Day and more.
- People and culture — the nation behind the symbols.