Flag of Malawi
The flag of Malawi was introduced on 6 July 1964, the independence of the state by the United Kingdom. A entered into force on 7 August 2010 revision of the national flag by the then President Bingu wa Mutharika has been undone by the National Assembly on 28 May 2012.
Description and significance
The national flag of Malawi consists of three equal horizontal stripes, black on top with a stylized red rising sun, in the middle of red and green at the bottom; the ratio of height to length of bunting amounts to 2 to 3 The colors are assigned with the following meaning:
- Black represents the people on the African continent
- Red stands for the blood of the martyrs that was shed in the struggle for freedom
- Green represents the lush forests of Malawi
2010 half, rising red sun used since 1964 was replaced by a full white sun. In order for the progress in the development of the country should be symbolized since independence. Meanwhile one, however, is returned to the old flag. The sun is already since 1914 a symbol of the former colony of Nyasaland.
History
The area of present-day Malawi became a British protectorate in 1891. 1914 received the Nyasaland own coat of arms and led it in the typical British colonial flag: Dark blue with the Union Jack in the canton ( upper left corner) and the arms of the colony at the bottom right.
Between 1953 and 1963, the Nyasaland was with Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia ( Zambia), part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The new coat of arms was a golden rising sun on a blue background for the Nyasaland, the red lion for Southern Rhodesia and six silver waves on a black background for Northern Rhodesia. The Federation broke up on 31 December 1963, when Zambia and Malawi received its independence from Great Britain.
The national flag of 1964 emerged from the black-red- green flag of Malawi Congress Party, which led the country to independence. The party flag only has no sun in the black band. In the upper strip the rising, morning red sun stood with 31 rays symbolizing the dawn of hope for a free and united Africa.
Beginning of July 2010 decided the DPP majority in parliament changing the national flag. From Independence Day on 6 July it should consist of three horizontal stripes in red, black and green, on which a white sun rests. The decision led to sharp protests from the population. The opposition UDF has brought the flag dispute in court. On 29 July 2010 President Bingu wa Mutharika signed the law on the introduction of the new flag. It is still the official publication of the law.
2012 decided the new government and the Parliament again return to the old flag after the new flag could win little sympathy among the population.
1:2? Flag of Njassalands (1914-1953)
1:2? Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-1963)
2:3? National Flag of Malawi (1964-2010)
2:3? National Flag of Malawi (2010-2012)