Flag of Zimbabwe - Description of the Zimbabwe Flag
As the above picture of the Zimbabwe Flag indicates the flag has:
seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green
a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Zimbabwe flag represent the following:
Yellow - mineral wealth
White - peace and honesty
Red - blood shed to achieve independence, hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Black - stands for the native people
Green - the land and agriculture, hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance
The basic style shown in the picture of the Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The Meaning & History of the Zimbabwe Flag - The Zimbabwe emblem depicts a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing the long history of the country and is superimposed on a red five-pointed star which symbolizes peace
The flag of Zimbabwe as adopted on April 18, 1980
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
Zimbabwe Flag Etiquette
Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Zimbabwe
State Flag of Zimbabwe
Military Flag of Zimbabwe (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Zimbabwe
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Zimbabwe Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Zimbabwe should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Zimbabwe flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Zimbabwe, 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 Zimbabwe Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Zimbabwe flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Zimbabwe flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Zimbabwe flag to the top, then lowering the Zimbabwe Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Zimbabwe flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Zimbabwe flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Zimbabwe flag
The Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Zimbabwe
Location:
Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
Land Size of Zimbabwe : 386,670 sq km
Climate / Weather of Zimbabwe : tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
Population of Zimbabwe : 12,671,860
Former Name(s) : Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia
Capital City of Zimbabwe : Harare
GDP of Zimbabwe : $24.03 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages
700AD - Arabian and Persians trade with ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves
1000 AD - the Shona people began their rule and built a city called Zimbabwe
1400s - the Karanga branch of the Shona established the Mwanamutapa Empire
1500's - the Rowzi branch rebelled and formed the Changamire Empire
1500s - Christianity was introduced by the Portuguese explorers
1830s Nguni people from the south defeated the empire
1800-1900's - European slave traders establish coastal ports for the increasing traffic in slaves destined for the Americas
The slaves were emancipated in the 1830's
1888 Lobengula, the ruler, signed an agreement that granted mineral rights to the British South African Company
1893 - The British South African Company occupied the region and called the territory Rhodesia
1897 - Great Britain recognized southern and northern Rhodesia as separate territories
1923 Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony
1953 Great Britain set up the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which included the territories of Southern and Northern Rhodesia
1963 - The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved
1964 - Northern Rhodesia became Zambia
1964 - Southern Rhodesia became known as Rhodesia
11 November 1965 Prime Minister, Ian Smith, declared Rhodesia independent. Great Britain declared this action illegal and banned trade with Rhodesia
1966 The United Nations imposed sanctions on Rhodesia
1969 A new constitution was introduced to prevent black Africans from ever gaining control of the government
2 March 1970 Rhodesia declared itself a republic
1970-1974 Civil War between government troops and black guerrillas
1977-1979 Prime Minister Smith began to make plans to establish a new government with a majority of black leaders
April 1979 - Election resulted in a majority of black leaders
April 1979 - Abel T. Muzorewa became the first black Prime Minister
31 May 1979 - Zimbabwe proclaimed independence
1 June 1979 - The nation of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, was formed
18 April 1980 - Great Britain recognized the country's independence and Rhodesia's name was officially changed to Zimbabwe
February 2000 - In a referendum held Zimbabwe voters rejected a new constitution which included provisions that called for redistribution of white-owned farmland to blacks
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The Flag and Nation of Zimbabwe
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Zimbabwe has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag 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!
