The Flag of South Africa - Description of the South African Flag
As the above picture of the South African Flag indicates a multi-color flag
The description of the South African Flag is as follows:
Two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side
The Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands
The red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the South African flag represent the following:
Yellow - a symbol of generosity and for the natural resources i.e. gold
White - peace and honesty and the people of European origin
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour and for bloodshed
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice and the open blue skies
Green - hope, joy and love and for the land
Black - Determination and the black population
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the South African flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist
The upper left quarter of the flag is called the Canton
The right half of the flag is called the Fly
The Meaning & History of the South African Flag
The 'Y' symbolizes the merging nationalities - i.e. unity
The flag was designed by the South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell
The South African national flag of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on April 26th 1994
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
South African Flag Etiquette
South African 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 South African as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of South African
State Flag of South African
Military Flag of South African (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of South African
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the South African Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of South African 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 South African flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of South African should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the South African flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of South African, 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 South African Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the South African flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the South African flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the South African flag to the top, then lowering the South African Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the South African flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The South African flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the South African flag
The South African 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 South African 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 South African flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to South African 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 South African Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
South Africa
Location:
Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
South African Land Size : 1,219,912 sq km
Climate / Weather of South Africa : mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights
South African Population : 42,718,530
Former Name(s) : Union of South Africa
South African Capital City: Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center
South African GDP: $456.7 billion (2003 est.)
South African Main Industries : mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs
Main Colors of the South African Flag : Multi-colored
Concise History of South Africa & 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
The Zulus, who belong to the Nguni-speaking peoples, constitute the majority of the population. Other tribes include the Khoi, San, and Xhosa
400 AD - Migration of the Bantu peoples into South Africa
700 - Trade with the Arabs and Phoenicians in ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves
1480 - Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa
1497 July 8 - Vasco da Gama set out on expedidition to India via Africa stopping at Mombasa, Mozambique, Malindi, Kenya, and Quilmana trading centres
1652 - Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company, founds the Cape Colony at Table Bay and Dutch settlement of South Africa starts
1816 - 1826 Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu empire
1835 - 1840 - The Boers leave Cape Colony and found the Orange Free State and the Transvaal
1858 - Boers proclaim the Transvaal a republic
1867 - Diamonds discovered at Kimberley
1877 - The British and the Boers defeat the Zulus
1880-81 - The Boer War - Boers rebel against the British
1880s - The gold rush
1910 - Formation of Union of South Africa by former British colonies of the Cape and Natal, and the Boer republics of Transvaal, and Orange Free State
1913 - Land Act introduced preventing Blacks from purchasing land
1948 - Policy of apartheid adopted by the National Party (NP)
1950 - Group Areas Act passed to segregate black and white people
1950 - The African National Congress (ANC) led by Nelson Mandela initiates a civil disobedience
1961 - South Africa declared a republic
1964 - Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment
1970's- 1980's - Civil unrest, sanctions imposed on South Africa, forced resettlement process and Township revolts
1990 - Nelson Mandela released from prison
1991 - De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws and international sanctions are lifted
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The South African Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the South African 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!
