\nHey there, flag enthusiasts! Ever found yourself wondering, "What flag is that?" Well, you're in the right place. This is your go-to guide for a complete list of country flags with names. We're diving deep into the vibrant world of vexillology (yes, that's the study of flags!) to bring you a comprehensive overview. Get ready to impress your friends at trivia night!

A Deep Dive into National Flags

Let's kick things off by understanding what makes a national flag so important. A national flag is more than just a piece of cloth; it's a symbol of a country's identity, history, and culture. Each color, emblem, and design element carries a specific meaning, often rooted in the nation's past struggles, triumphs, and values. For instance, the colors might represent peace, courage, or purity, while symbols like stars, animals, or geometric shapes can signify different aspects of the country's heritage or aspirations.

Think about the American flag, often referred to as the Stars and Stripes. The 13 stripes represent the original thirteen colonies, while the 50 stars symbolize the 50 states of the Union. This flag is a powerful emblem of unity and freedom, deeply ingrained in the American psyche. Similarly, the Canadian flag, with its iconic maple leaf, is a symbol of national pride and identity, instantly recognizable around the world. The red and white colors are derived from the colors of the French king's military cadets and the English St. George's Cross, representing the country's dual heritage.

The design of a flag can also tell a story about a nation's history. Take, for example, the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. It's a composite of the flags of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, each representing a different part of the kingdom. The red cross of St. George (England), the white saltire of St. Andrew (Scotland), and the red saltire of St. Patrick (Northern Ireland) are combined to create a single, unified symbol. This flag reflects the complex history of the British Isles and the unification of its constituent parts.

Furthermore, the colors chosen for a flag often have deep cultural or historical significance. In many African countries, the Pan-African colors of red, yellow, and green are used to symbolize unity and solidarity among African nations. These colors were first adopted by Ethiopia, one of the oldest independent nations in Africa, and have since been incorporated into the flags of many other African countries. The red represents the blood shed for liberation, the yellow symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and the green signifies the land and its fertility.

National flags are also used in a variety of contexts, from official government ceremonies to sporting events and national holidays. They are flown at government buildings, schools, and private residences as a sign of patriotism and national pride. During international events, such as the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup, flags are prominently displayed to represent the participating countries and their athletes. These flags serve as a powerful symbol of national identity and unity, bringing people together to celebrate their shared heritage and culture. So, when you see a national flag waving in the breeze, remember that it represents much more than just a piece of fabric; it's a symbol of a nation's history, culture, and aspirations.

Flags of the World: A Country-by-Country Guide

Alright, let's get to the fun part! Here's a rundown of flags from around the globe, organized alphabetically. I'll give you a brief description of each flag and what some of its key symbols represent. Ready? Let's dive in!

A to C

• Afghanistan: A tricolor of black, red, and green with the national emblem in the center.
• Albania: A red flag with a black double-headed eagle.
• Algeria: Two vertical bars of green and white, with a red star and crescent in the center.
• Andorra: Vertical bars of blue, yellow, and red with the Andorran coat of arms in the center.
• Angola: Horizontal bands of red and black, with a machete and cogwheel in the center.
• Antigua and Barbuda: A black triangle with a rising sun, white, blue, and red areas.
• Argentina: Three horizontal bands of light blue, white, and light blue, with a sun in the center.
• Armenia: Horizontal bands of red, blue, and orange.
• Australia: Blue Ensign with the Union Jack and the Commonwealth Star, plus the Southern Cross.
• Austria: Horizontal bands of red, white, and red.
• Azerbaijan: Horizontal bands of blue, red, and green, with a white crescent and star.
• Bahamas: A black triangle on the hoist side, with three horizontal bands of aquamarine, gold, and aquamarine.
• Bahrain: Red flag with a white serrated band on the hoist side.
• Bangladesh: A green field with a red disc in the center.
• Barbados: Vertical bands of blue, gold, and blue, with a black trident in the gold band.
• Belarus: A red and green flag with a white and red ornamental pattern on the hoist side.
• Belgium: Vertical bands of black, yellow, and red.
• Belize: Blue field with the coat of arms in the center, bordered by red stripes.
• Benin: Vertical bands of green, yellow, and red.
• Bhutan: A yellow and orange flag with a white dragon.
• Bolivia: Horizontal bands of red, yellow, and green, with the Bolivian coat of arms in the center.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Blue field with a yellow triangle and white stars.
• Botswana: Light blue field with a horizontal black stripe bordered by white stripes.
• Brazil: Green field with a yellow rhombus, a blue disc, and white stars.
• Brunei: Yellow field with a white and black diagonal stripe and the state crest in the center.
• Bulgaria: Horizontal bands of white, green, and red.
• Burkina Faso: Horizontal bands of red and green, with a yellow star in the center.
• Burundi: Red and green quarters separated by a white saltire, with three red stars in the center.
• Cabo Verde: Blue field with three horizontal bands of white, red, and white, and a circle of ten yellow stars.
• Cambodia: Blue field with a depiction of Angkor Wat in white.
• Cameroon: Vertical bands of green, red, and yellow, with a yellow star in the center.
• Canada: Vertical bands of red and white, with a red maple leaf in the center.
• Central African Republic: Horizontal bands of blue, white, green, yellow, and red, with a yellow star.
• Chad: Vertical bands of blue, yellow, and red.
• Chile: Horizontal bands of white and red, with a blue square and a white star.
• China: Red field with five yellow stars.
• Colombia: Horizontal bands of yellow, blue, and red.
• Comoros: Horizontal bands of yellow, white, red, and blue, with a green triangle and a white crescent and stars.
• Congo, Democratic Republic of the: Blue field with a yellow star and a red stripe.
• Congo, Republic of the: Vertical bands of green, yellow, and red.
• Costa Rica: Horizontal bands of blue, white, red, white, and blue.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Vertical bands of orange, white, and green.
• Croatia: Horizontal bands of red, white, and blue, with the Croatian coat of arms in the center.
• Cuba: Blue and white stripes with a red triangle and a white star.
• Cyprus: White field with a copper-colored map of Cyprus and two green olive branches.
• Czech Republic: White and red bands with a blue triangle.

D to F

• Denmark: Red flag with a white Scandinavian cross.
• Djibouti: Blue and green triangle with a white star.
• Dominica: Green field with a cross of yellow, black and white and a red disc with a Sisserou Parrot.
• Dominican Republic: A white cross divides the flag into four rectangles: blue, red, red, and blue with the coat of arms in the center.
• East Timor: Red field with a black triangle, a white star, and a yellow triangle.
• Ecuador: Yellow, blue, and red horizontal bands with the Ecuadorian coat of arms in the center.
• Egypt: Red, white, and black bands with the Eagle of Saladin in the center.
• El Salvador: Blue and white stripes with the coat of arms in the center.
• Equatorial Guinea: Green, white, and red bands with the national coat of arms in the center.
• Eritrea: Green, red, and blue triangle with a yellow olive branch.
• Estonia: Blue, black, and white horizontal bands.
• Eswatini: Blue, red, and yellow bands with a shield and spears.
• Ethiopia: Green, yellow, and red bands.
• Fiji: Light blue field with the Union Jack and the Fijian coat of arms.
• Finland: White field with a blue Scandinavian cross.
• France: Vertical bands of blue, white, and red.

G to I

• Gabon: Horizontal bands of green, yellow, and blue.
• Gambia: Horizontal bands of red, blue, and green with white stripes.
• Georgia: White field with a red St. George's cross and four small crosses.
• Germany: Black, red, and yellow horizontal bands.
• Ghana: Red, yellow, and green bands with a black star.
• Greece: Blue and white stripes with a white cross.
• Grenada: Red border with yellow and green triangles and a nutmeg.
• Guatemala: Vertical bands of blue, white, and blue with the coat of arms.
• Guinea: Vertical bands of red, yellow, and green.
• Guinea-Bissau: Vertical bands of red and black with a yellow star.
• Guyana: Green field with a red triangle and a white border.
• Haiti: Blue and red bands with the coat of arms.
• Honduras: Blue and white stripes with five stars.
• Hungary: Red, white, and green horizontal bands.
• Iceland: Blue field with a white and red Scandinavian cross.
• India: Saffron, white, and green horizontal bands with a blue wheel.
• Indonesia: Red and white horizontal bands.
• Iran: Green, white, and red bands with a red emblem.
• Iraq: Red, white, and black bands with Arabic text.
• Ireland: Green, white, and orange vertical bands.
• Israel: White field with two blue stripes and a Star of David.
• Italy: Vertical bands of green, white, and red.

J to L

• Jamaica: Black and green triangles with a yellow cross.
• Japan: White field with a red disc.
• Jordan: Black, white, and green bands with a red triangle and a white star.
• Kazakhstan: Blue field with a golden sun and eagle.
• Kenya: Black, red, and green bands with white stripes and a shield.
• Kiribati: Red field with a frigate bird and a rising sun.
• Kuwait: Green, white, and red bands with a black trapezoid.
• Kyrgyzstan: Red field with a yellow sun and a yurt.
• Laos: Red field with a blue band and a white disc.
• Latvia: Red and white horizontal bands.
• Lebanon: Red and white bands with a green cedar tree.
• Lesotho: Blue, white, and green bands with a black mokorotlo (hat).
• Liberia: Red and white stripes with a blue square and a white star.
• Libya: Red, black, and green bands with a white crescent and star.
• Liechtenstein: Blue and red bands with a golden crown.
• Lithuania: Yellow, green, and red horizontal bands.
• Luxembourg: Red, white, and blue horizontal bands.

M to O

• Madagascar: White, red, and green bands.
• Malawi: Black, red, and green bands with a rising sun.
• Malaysia: Red and white stripes with a blue canton and a crescent and star.
• Maldives: Red field with a green rectangle and a white crescent.
• Mali: Green, yellow, and red vertical bands.
• Malta: White and red vertical bands with the George Cross.
• Marshall Islands: Blue field with a white and orange star.
• Mauritania: Green field with a yellow crescent and star.
• Mauritius: Red, blue, yellow, and green bands.
• Mexico: Green, white, and red vertical bands with the coat of arms.
• Micronesia: Light blue field with four white stars.
• Moldova: Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands with the coat of arms.
• Monaco: Red and white horizontal bands.
• Mongolia: Red, blue, and red vertical bands with the Soyombo symbol.
• Montenegro: Red field with a golden border and the coat of arms.
• Morocco: Red field with a green pentagram.
• Mozambique: Red, black, and green bands with a yellow star, book, and rifle.
• Myanmar: Yellow, green, and red bands with a white star.
• Namibia: Blue, red, and green triangles with a white stripe and a golden sun.
• Nauru: Blue field with a yellow stripe and a white star.
• Nepal: Two red pennons with blue borders and a sun and moon.
• Netherlands: Red, white, and blue horizontal bands.
• New Zealand: Blue Ensign with the Union Jack and four red stars.
• Nicaragua: Blue and white stripes with the coat of arms.
• Niger: Orange, white, and green bands with an orange disc.
• Nigeria: Green, white, and green vertical bands.
• North Korea: Red, white, and blue bands with a red star.
• North Macedonia: Red field with a golden sun.
• Norway: Red field with a white-bordered blue Scandinavian cross.
• Oman: White, red, and green bands with a national emblem.

P to R

• Pakistan: Green field with a white crescent and star.
• Palau: Light blue field with a yellow disc.
• Panama: White quarters with a red and blue star.
• Papua New Guinea: Red and black triangles with a bird of paradise and stars.
• Paraguay: Red, white, and blue bands with the coat of arms.
• Peru: Red, white, and red vertical bands with the coat of arms.
• Philippines: Blue and red triangles with a sun and stars.
• Poland: White and red horizontal bands.
• Portugal: Green and red vertical bands with the national coat of arms.
• Qatar: Maroon field with a white serrated band.
• Romania: Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands.
• Russia: White, blue, and red horizontal bands.
• Rwanda: Blue, yellow, and green bands with a sun.

S to U

• Saint Kitts and Nevis: Green, black, and red bands with stars.
• Saint Lucia: Blue field with a yellow triangle and black arrowheads.
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Blue, yellow, and green bands with green diamonds.
• Samoa: Red field with a blue canton and white stars.
• San Marino: White and blue bands with the coat of arms.
• Sao Tome and Principe: Green, yellow, and green bands with red triangles and black stars.
• Saudi Arabia: Green field with Arabic text and a sword.
• Senegal: Green, yellow, and red bands with a green star.
• Serbia: Red, blue, and white bands with the coat of arms.
• Seychelles: Blue, yellow, red, white, and green bands.
• Sierra Leone: Green, white, and blue bands.
• Singapore: Red and white bands with a crescent and stars.
• Slovakia: White, blue, and red bands with the coat of arms.
• Slovenia: White, blue, and red bands with the coat of arms.
• Solomon Islands: Blue and green triangles with a yellow stripe and stars.
• Somalia: Light blue field with a white star.
• South Africa: Red, white, green, black, and gold bands.
• South Korea: White field with a red and blue yin-yang symbol.
• South Sudan: Black, red, and green bands with a blue triangle and a yellow star.
• Spain: Red, yellow, and red bands with the coat of arms.
• Sri Lanka: Green and saffron bands with a lion and bo leaves.
• Sudan: Red, white, black, and green bands.
• Suriname: Green, white, red, yellow, and green bands.
• Sweden: Blue field with a yellow Scandinavian cross.
• Switzerland: Red field with a white cross.
• Syria: Red, white, and black bands with green stars.
• Taiwan: Red field with a blue canton and a white sun.
• Tajikistan: Red, white, and green bands with a crown and stars.
• Tanzania: Green and blue triangles with a black stripe.
• Thailand: Red, white, and blue bands.
• Togo: Green and yellow stripes with a red square and a white star.
• Tonga: Red field with a white square and a red cross.
• Trinidad and Tobago: Red field with a black stripe and white borders.
• Tunisia: Red field with a white disc and a red crescent and star.
• Turkey: Red field with a white crescent and star.
• Turkmenistan: Green field with a red stripe and white symbols.
• Tuvalu: Light blue field with the Union Jack and stars.
• Uganda: Black, yellow, and red bands with a crested crane.
• Ukraine: Blue and yellow horizontal bands.
• United Arab Emirates: Red, white, black, and green bands.
• United Kingdom: Combination of English, Scottish, and Irish flags.
• United States of America: Red and white stripes with stars on a blue field.
• Uruguay: White field with blue stripes and a sun.

V to Z

• Vanuatu: Red and green bands with a black triangle and a boar's tusk.
• Vatican City: Yellow and white vertical bands with the Papal tiara and keys.
• Venezuela: Yellow, blue, and red bands with stars and a coat of arms.
• Vietnam: Red field with a yellow star.
• Yemen: Red, white, and black horizontal bands.
• Zambia: Green field with an orange eagle.
• Zimbabwe: Green, yellow, red, black, and white bands with a bird.

The Meaning Behind the Colors

Did you know that the colors used in flags often carry symbolic meanings? Here's a quick rundown:

• Red: Often represents courage, revolution, or bloodshed.
• Blue: Typically symbolizes peace, unity, or justice.
• Green: Frequently signifies hope, fertility, or the land.
• Yellow: Often represents wealth, prosperity, or the sun.
• White: Usually symbolizes purity, peace, or honesty.
• Black: Can represent heritage, determination, or defeat.

These are just general guidelines, and the specific meaning of each color can vary from country to country!

Fun Facts About Flags

• The oldest flag in continuous use is the flag of Denmark, known as the Dannebrog, which dates back to the 13th century.
• Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular flag. It consists of two pennons representing the Himalayan mountains.
• The Olympic flag features five interlocking rings representing the five inhabited continents: Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and Oceania.
• Some flags, like the Union Jack, are composite flags, combining the flags of multiple countries or regions.
• Many countries have specific protocols for how their flag should be displayed, treated, and retired.

Conclusion

So there you have it—a whirlwind tour of country flags from around the world! I hope this guide has been informative and sparked your curiosity about the fascinating world of vexillology. Next time you see a flag, you'll know a little more about the country it represents and the story it tells. Happy flag-spotting, guys!