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
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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!
