Flag of Ethiopia
The flag of Ethiopia with the current emblem was officially launched on 6 February 1996 and modified slightly on 28 August 2009. The basic their tricolor was used in the 19th century and is the origin of the Pan-African colors.
Importance
The colors are interpreted differently. The official symbolism is:
- Green represents the fertility of the soil of the country.
- Yellow stands for the love of the fatherland.
- Red stands for strength and reminds us of the blood that was shed in the struggle against the oppressors.
At the same time, the colors represent the most significant parts of the country:
- Green for Shewa
- Yellow for Amhara
- Red for Tigre
Another, the religious sphere attributed to interpretation refers to the Christian Trinity. After that is,
- Green for the Holy Spirit
- Yellow for God the Father
- Red for the son
At the same time symbolize the colors of the Christian virtues of hope ( green), charity ( yellow) and Faith ( red).
In the Empire, the colors had the following meanings ascribed:
- Green was the symbol of the country or the hope
- Yellow stood for the church, peace, natural wealth and love
- Red was the color of the force of the blood of patriots and of faith
The emblem in the middle strip of the flag shows a radiant pentagram with equally long "rays". This is symbolic of the equality of all ethnic groups and gender and faith. The rays are available for a bright future of Ethiopia, the blue background stands for peace and democracy.
History
The flag was probably made by the union of three separate pennants in the popular in Ethiopia colors green, yellow and red, and was first introduced on 6 October 1897. The Empire was to a lion with a cross bar and a banner in the national colors, the so-called Lion of Judah or the Emperor Leo. Also tricolors without Leo were in use. The flag then had an aspect ratio of 2:3. Presumably, the tricolor of France and Italy were here the model for the arrangement to three strips. Between 1936 and 1941 Ethiopia was occupied by Italy and in May 1941 the Ethiopian flag was put back into use.
1975 disappeared from the Emperor Leo the flag, along with the Empire. In 1987 they changed the aspect ratio to 1:2 and added a the emblem of the People's Democratic Republic. In 1991 the tricolor was introduced without emblem and the new aspect ratio remained. This flag is still widespread today. 1996 added to a new emblem on the flag, which was in 2009 still somewhat enlarged.
2:3? Flag of Italian East Africa, 1936-1941
2:3? National Flag 1975-1987
1:2? Flag of Ethiopia 1987-1991
1:2? National flag of the DVR, 1991-1996
1:2? National Flag, 1996 to August 27, 2009
Flags of the states
Amhara
1:2? Flag of Eritrea Autonomous Region from 1950 to 1962 ( unofficially until 1993 )
Gambela
Harar
Somali
Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region
Tigray