Flags from Our World
ETHIOPIA
| Flags from Our WorldETHIOPIA |
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Ethiopia's colours green yellow and red at first appeared as three separate whimps, and were arranged in rectangular shape on 6 October 1897, with red at the top. The colours were interpreted as: red - power and faith, yellow - church, peace, natural wealth and love, green - land and hope. The colours were also interpreted as having a connection to the Holy Trinity, and three main provinces. At some point the order of colours was changed. Imperial Ethiopia claimed direct descent from King David of Israel: hence of the Lion of Judah, bearing a cross, on the central stripe.
Ethiopia's State flag was modified after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie I by the military on 12 September 1974: the crown was removed from the lion's head the Cross finial was changed to a Spear point. This version lasted until 1987 when, through a referendum, Ethiopia became a Democratic People's Republic with Mengistu Haile Mariam as president. The green-yellow-red flag now carried a circular blue shield and featured an obelisk of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, a cogwheel, a red ribbon depicting a golden lion's head, an spear and a scepter, a yellow star on red, emanating yellow rays, and a the country's name at the top in Amharic characters. This flag was used from 1987 until Mengistu's regime was overthrown in 1991.
On 6 February 1996 new symbols were introduced for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The emblem features a blue disk, symbolising peace, with a pentagram with rays from the inner angles signifying "the bright prospect in sight for the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (of Ethiopia) united in their common will".
 Ethiopia Imperial Flag |  Ethiopia 1974 |  Ethiopia 1987 |  Ethiopia 1996 |
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