Flag of Cape VerdeRepública de Cabo Verde

What the flag looks like

The Cape Verdean flag consists of a blue field with a horizontal band near the bottom made of three stripes — white, red, white — and a ring of ten yellow five-pointed stars arranged in a circle in the lower hoist area, centered on the white-red-white stripes. The proportion is 2:3. It was adopted on 22 September 1992, replacing the flag used since independence in 1975.

Colors and meaning

Blue represents the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the Cape Verde archipelago, white represents peace and the clouds and waves, red represents the effort and blood shed by Cape Verdeans in building their nation, and the ten yellow stars represent the ten main islands of the archipelago.

Blue

Represents the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the Cape Verde archipelago, which lies about 570 kilometers off the west coast of Africa. The ocean is central to Cape Verdean identity, culture and economy.

White

Represents peace, purity and the white clouds and waves that surround the islands.

Red

Represents the effort, courage and blood shed by Cape Verdeans in the struggle for independence from Portugal, achieved in 1975, and in building their nation since.

Yellow stars

Represent the ten main islands of Cape Verde: Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. The stars form a ring, symbolizing the unity of the islands and the Cape Verdean nation.

Design origin

The current flag was adopted in 1992, replacing the flag used since 1975, which was based on the flag of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) and included the same colors as the flag of Guinea-Bissau. The 1992 design was intended to reflect Cape Verde's distinct national identity after its split from Guinea-Bissau in 1980.

History and adoption

Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony from 1462 until 1975, when it gained independence on 5 July 1975. The first national flag was based on the flag of the PAIGC, with red, yellow and green vertical bands and a black star. In 1980, a coup in Guinea-Bissau ended the proposed union between the two countries, and Cape Verde began to develop a distinct national identity. On 22 September 1992, a new flag was adopted — the current blue field with white, red and white stripes and a ring of ten yellow stars. The flag reflects Cape Verde's dual heritage as both an African and an Atlantic nation.

Key facts

Adopted

22 September 1992

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Pedro Gregório, Luís Rodrigues, Manuel Veiga, José Luís Monteiro, António Espírito Santo, Fernando Gonçalves, Gabriel Barbosa, Humberto Bettencourt, João Rodrigues, José Luís Barbosa, José Manuel Sousa, Manuel Furtado, Nelson Ferreira, Pedro Monteiro, Rui Figueiredo, Vasco Delgado and Zenaida Lopes

Capital

Praia

Country code

CV

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Cape Verde has used two national flags since independence, with the current design reflecting a distinct national identity.

• Portuguese Cape Verde (1462–1975): Portuguese flag used during colonial rule.
• PAIGC flag (1956–1975): Red, yellow and green with a black star, used during independence struggle.
• First national flag (1975–1992): Red, yellow and green with a black star — nearly identical to Guinea-Bissau's.
• Current flag (1992–present): Blue field with white-red-white stripes and a ring of ten yellow stars.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Cape Verdean coat of arms on a blue field.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Cape Verde look like?

The flag of Cape Verde has a blue field with three horizontal stripes near the bottom — white, red, white — and a ring of ten yellow five-pointed stars in the lower hoist area. The proportion is 2:3.

When was the flag of Cape Verde adopted?

The current flag of Cape Verde was officially adopted on 22 September 1992.

What do the colors mean?

Blue represents the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the Cape Verde archipelago, white represents peace and the clouds and waves, red represents the effort and blood shed by Cape Verdeans in building their nation, and the ten yellow stars represent the ten main islands of the archipelago.

Which flags look similar to the Cape Verde flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Cape Verde's. The combination of a blue field, white-red-white stripes and a ring of ten yellow stars is unique.