Mali Flag

Green stands for fertility and agriculture; gold symbolizes purity and mineral wealth; red honors the blood shed during the struggle for independence from France. Each color resonates with Mali’s cultural traditions and collective memory.

The tricolor, initially adopted in 1959 when Mali joined the Mali Federation, originally featured a black kanaga figure at its center. However, due to Islamic objections to human depictions (Mali is over 90 % Muslim), the symbol was removed on 1 March 1961, leaving the clean Pan‑African motif used ever since.

Three equal vertical bands—green at the hoist, gold center, red at the fly—in a 2:3 aspect ratio. The absence of any emblem ensures visual simplicity and strong recognizability. Precise Pantone and CMYK colour values are codified to ensure consistency.

The flag is flown at government buildings, schools, and diplomatic missions, especially on national holidays like Independence Day (22 September). It must be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset, kept clean and complete, and lowered to half‑mast during periods of mourning in accordance with government directives.