Flag of Somalia
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
61 languages
The flag of Somalia is the national flag of Somalia. It is a light blue rectangle (sky blue or ciraad in Somali), with a white five-pointed star centered on it. The name 'flag of ciraad' derives from the color of the sky at that time of day, while other languages refer to it as the 'Flag of Somalia' or علم الصومال.
The flag was originally adopted in 1954, when southern Somalia was under United Nations trusteeship administration. When Somalia gained independence on 1 July 1960—after union with Somaliland, which had already gained independence—the flag became the flag of the new state and has remained unchanged since.
Design and color
The rectangle is a symmetrical quadrilateral, with the ratio of length to width conventionally defined as 2:3. The star is positioned in the center, with five equal points. The light blue color is conventionally understood to derive from the flag of the United Nations, because of that organization's role in facilitating independence; some interpret it as representing the sky and the Indian Ocean. The white color of the star is said to represent peace and stability.
Meaning of the five points
The five points of the star represent the five regions where Somali people predominate in the Horn of Africa: British Somaliland, Italian Somalia, French Somaliland (now Djibouti), the Somali region of Ethiopia (Ogaden), and the northeastern region of Kenya (NFD). The star likewise became a symbol of the idea of Greater Somalia, which sought to unite all these territories under a single state. This idea remains a matter of political debate in the region.
Designer
The flag design is attributed to Muhammad Awad Liibaan, who is said to have been part of a national committee tasked with proposing a flag design. Different sources describe the process of selection and the political climate of the period in varying ways.
Use and related symbols
The flag of Somalia is used by the federal government, diplomatic offices, and vessels registered by Somalia. The white star and light blue are also used in the national seal and military insignia. Some administrations within Somalia have their own symbols; Somaliland, which declared separation in 1991, uses a different flag that is not internationally recognized.