Flag of LiberiaRepublic of Liberia

What the flag looks like

The Liberian flag consists of 11 equal horizontal stripes of red and white, with red at the top and bottom, and a blue square canton in the upper hoist corner bearing a white five-pointed star. The proportion is 10:19. It was adopted on 26 July 1847, when Liberia declared independence, making it the first African republic and the second-oldest sovereign state in Africa after Ethiopia.

Colors and meaning

Red represents the courage and valor of the Liberian people, white represents purity and peace, and blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and Africa's first independent republic. The 11 stripes represent the 11 signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, and the single white star represents Liberia as the only independent Black republic in Africa at the time of its founding.

Red

Represents the courage and valor of the Liberian people, and the blood shed in the struggle for freedom. Red is also the color of the Liberian flag's stripes that alternate with white.

White

Represents purity, peace and the desire for peaceful development. White stripes alternate with red to form the flag's distinctive striped pattern.

Blue

Represents the Atlantic Ocean, which borders Liberia to the west, and the African continent. Blue also represents the ideals of liberty and justice on which Liberia was founded.

Eleven stripes

Represent the 11 signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, who signed the document on 26 July 1847, declaring Liberia a free and independent republic.

White star

Represents Liberia as the only independent Black republic in Africa at the time of its founding. The star symbolizes African freedom and the hope that other African nations would one day achieve independence. Liberia's flag inspired the flags of several other African nations.

History and adoption

Liberia was founded by the American Colonization Society in 1822 as a settlement for freed African Americans, and declared independence on 26 July 1847, becoming the first African republic. The flag was designed by a committee that included the first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, and was adopted on independence day. It was based on the United States flag, reflecting the country's American origins, but with 11 stripes (instead of 13) representing the signatories of the declaration, and a single white star in a blue canton (instead of 50) representing Liberia as the sole independent Black republic in Africa. The flag has remained unchanged since.

Key facts

Adopted

26 July 1847

Proportion

10:19

Designer

Joseph Jenkins Roberts and the Liberian government

Capital

Monrovia

Country code

LR

Similar flags

United States, Malaysia, Togo

Historical and related flags

Liberia has used the same flag since its independence, with one variation during a brief period of US-backed territorial expansion.

• American Colonization Society (1822–1847): Various settlement flags.
• Current flag (1847–present): 11 stripes with a single white star in a blue canton.
• Maryland-in-Africa (1834–1857): A separate flag used by the Maryland State Colonization Society before joining Liberia.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Liberian coat of arms with a ship and a palm tree.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Liberia look like?

The flag of Liberia has 11 horizontal stripes of red and white, alternating with red at the top and bottom, and a blue square canton in the upper hoist corner bearing a single white five-pointed star. The proportion is 10:19.

When was the flag of Liberia adopted?

The current flag of Liberia was officially adopted on 26 July 1847.

What do the colors mean?

Red represents the courage and valor of the Liberian people, white represents purity and peace, and blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and Africa's first independent republic. The 11 stripes represent the 11 signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, and the single white star represents Liberia as the only independent Black republic in Africa at the time of its founding.

Which flags look similar to the Liberia flag?

The United States uses 13 stripes and 50 stars in a blue canton. Malaysia uses 14 stripes and a crescent with 14 stars. Liberia's 11 stripes with a single star in a blue canton is unique, though it is clearly inspired by the US flag.