The Flag of Kenya - Description of the Kenyan Flag
As the above picture of the Kenyan Flag indicates a tricolor of Black, Red and Green
The description of the Kenyan Flag is as follows:
Three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green
The red band is edged in white
A warrior's shield, covering crossed spears, is superimposed at the center
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Kenyan flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Green - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance
Black - Black majority & Determination
The basic style shown in the picture of the Kenyan flag is described as Emblem -reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Kenyan flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The emblem on the Kenyan flag pictures a warriors shield covering crossed spears
The Meaning & History of the Kenyan Flag - The Kenyan emblem depicts a traditional Masai shield and two spears which symbolizes the defence of freedom
The flag of Kenya was adopted on December 12, 1963
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Kenyan Flag Etiquette
Kenyan Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Kenyan as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Kenyan
State Flag of Kenyan
Military Flag of Kenyan (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Kenyan
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Kenyan Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Kenyan should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Kenyan flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Kenyan should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Kenyan flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Kenyan, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Kenyan Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Kenyan flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Kenyan flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Kenyan flag to the top, then lowering the Kenyan Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Kenyan flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Kenyan flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Kenyan flag
The Kenyan flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Kenyan flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Kenyan flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Kenyan Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Kenyan Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Kenya
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Kenyan Land Size : 569,250 sq km
Kenyan Climate / Weather : varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Main Colors of the Kenyan Flag : Black, Red and Green
Concise History of Kenya & its Flag
10,000BC Upper Paleolithic (the Old Stone Age) period
5000 - 3000BC Neolithic (New Stone Age) period
3000BC - 1000BC - Evidence of migration of people from Somalia and Ethiopia
400 AD - Migration of the Bantu Cushitic and Nilotic peoples into East Africa
600 - Arabs began to settle on the Coastal area introducing the Muslim religion
700 - Trade with the Arabs and Phoenicians in ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves
1400 - 1700 - The Portuguese extend their empire to East Africa
1720 - Control of the coast was won back by the Arabs
1800 - Christian missionaries and explorers come in to Africa and the Europeans start a process of the colonization of Kenya
1800's - The Maasai settled in the Rift Valley
1895 - The British declared Kenya a Protectorate
1895–1901 - A railroad was built from Mombasa to Kisumu on Lake Victoria
1896 - 1905 Kenyan people resist the British rule
1956 - Mau Mau Rebellion and Emergence of the Kenya African Union (KAU)
1961 Jomo Kenyatta become independent Kenya's first president
1963 - Kenya gained Independence
1964 - Kenya became a Republic
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
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The Kenyan Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Kenyan Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
