Flag of SurinameRepubliek Suriname

What the flag looks like

The Surinamese flag consists of five horizontal bands: two green bands at the top and bottom, two white bands inside them, and a red band in the center that is twice as wide as the others. A yellow five-pointed star sits in the center of the red band. The proportion is 2:3. It was adopted on 25 November 1975, when Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands.

Colors and meaning

Green represents the fertility and agriculture of Suriname's land, white represents justice, freedom and peace, red represents progress, love and the sacrifice of the Surinamese people, and the yellow star represents the unity of all ethnic groups in Suriname and the country's bright future.

Green

Represents the fertility of Suriname's land and the country's agriculture and forests. Suriname is one of the most forested countries in the world, with over 90 percent forest cover.

White

Represents justice, freedom and peace, and the desire of the Surinamese people for a harmonious society.

Red

Represents progress, love and the sacrifice of the Surinamese people in building their nation. It is the central band and the largest, holding the yellow star.

Yellow star

Represents the unity of all ethnic groups in Suriname — Indigenous, African, Indian, Javanese, Chinese, European and others — and the bright future of the nation. The single star symbolizes a single nation made of many peoples.

History and adoption

Suriname was a Dutch colony from 1667 until 1954, when it became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 25 November 1975, Suriname gained full independence, and a national competition was held to design a new flag. The winning design by Jack Pinas featured five horizontal bands and a single yellow star, representing the unity of Suriname's many ethnic groups. The flag was adopted on independence day and has remained unchanged since. The previous flag, used during the Dutch colonial period, featured white and green stripes with a red and white star and connected rings.

Key facts

Adopted

25 November 1975

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Jack Pinas

Capital

Paramaribo

Country code

SR

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Suriname used several flags during its colonial period before independence.

• Dutch Suriname (1667–1954): Dutch flag used as the colonial flag.
• Dutch Suriname (1954–1959): Dutch flag with a white circle containing five colored stars.
• Dutch Suriname (1959–1975): White and green stripes with a red and white star and connected rings.
• Current flag (1975–present): Green, white, red bands with a yellow star.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Surinamese coat of arms on a red field.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Suriname look like?

The flag of Suriname has five horizontal bands: green (top and bottom), white (middle stripes) and red (center band, twice as wide), with a yellow five-pointed star in the center of the red band. The proportion is 2:3.

When was the flag of Suriname adopted?

The current flag of Suriname was officially adopted on 25 November 1975.

What do the colors mean?

Green represents the fertility and agriculture of Suriname's land, white represents justice, freedom and peace, red represents progress, love and the sacrifice of the Surinamese people, and the yellow star represents the unity of all ethnic groups in Suriname and the country's bright future.

Which flags look similar to the Suriname flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Suriname's. The combination of green, white, red bands with a single yellow star is unique.