| Colors | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CC092F | 204, 9, 47 | 0, 96, 77, 20 |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
| Gold | #FFCB00 | 255, 203, 0 | 0, 20, 100, 0 |
The flag of Angola is made up of two equal stripes colored red and black. Red is at the top, while black is at the bottom of the flag. In the middle, there is a golden emblem made of a cogwheel, a machete, and a star at the top.
Angola Flag Meaning
The black color in Angola’s flag stands for the black people of the country which falls in the African continent. The red represents the blood people have shed during their struggle to gain independence and the suffering of people during occupation. The cogwheel stands for industries, while the machete represents peasantry and agricultural work. The star represents socialism. It is inspired by communist movements and the Soviet Union flag.
Angola Flag History
Angola was under Portuguese occupation for so long, like most African countries that were occupied by European countries. The Angolan people started a struggle for independence in 1961, and could finally get it on November 11, 1975. Not only Angola but many other Asian and African nations were leading movements to liberate themselves from occupation and colonization. The liberation movements of Angola which resisted Portuguese colonization for more than a decade were inspired by the Asian movements, especially the communist movement named Viet Cong in Vietnam.
Inspired by the Viet Cong flag which was blue and red striped with a star in the middle, the black stripe replaced the light blue stripe in the Viet Cong flag, while the red stripe and the star were kept the same. It is also said that the design was taken from the Soviet flag. The machete and cogwheel were added to represent the country’s economic power and resources. The design of Angola’s flag is attributed to the Minister of Industry at that time Henrique Onambwé, and it was adopted the same day Angola announced its independence on November 11, 1975.