Flag of Timor-LesteRepúblika Demokrátika Timór-Leste

What the flag looks like

The flag of Timor-Leste consists of a red field with a yellow isosceles triangle extending from the hoist to the center of the flag, and a smaller white isosceles triangle inside it. A white five-pointed star sits in the center of the black edge of the yellow triangle, with one of its points angled toward the upper hoist corner. The proportion is 1:2. It was adopted on 20 May 2002, when Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, following independence from Indonesia.

Colors and meaning

Red represents the blood shed in the struggle for Timorese independence, yellow represents the wealth of the country and its colonial history under Portugal and other foreign powers, white represents peace, and the black border of the yellow triangle represents the darkness that must be overcome. The white star represents the light of freedom and the guiding light of the Timorese people.

Red field

Represents the blood shed by Timorese patriots during the long struggle for independence — first against Portuguese colonial rule, then against Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999. The red color is one of the most emotionally significant elements of the flag for the Timorese people.

Yellow triangle

Represents the wealth of Timor-Leste — including its oil and natural gas reserves, coffee and sandalwood — and also the colonial history that shaped the country, including Portuguese, Dutch and Indonesian rule. The yellow color is also associated with the historic kingdoms of Timor.

Black border

The black edge that borders the yellow triangle represents the darkness that must be overcome — the long years of colonial and occupying rule, and the suffering of the Timorese people. It also represents the national mourning for those who died in the struggle for independence.

White triangle

Represents peace — a peace that the Timorese people have sought for centuries after their long history of foreign domination.

White star

Represents the light of freedom and the guiding light of the Timorese people. The star has five points and is oriented with one point angled toward the upper hoist corner, symbolizing hope leading the way. The star is the central symbol of the flag and represents the aspiration of the Timorese people for a peaceful and prosperous future.

History and adoption

Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until 1975, when Portugal withdrew following its Carnation Revolution. On 28 November 1975, Fretilin (the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor) unilaterally declared independence and raised the current flag for the first time — just nine days before Indonesia invaded and occupied the territory. During the 24-year Indonesian occupation (1975–1999), the flag was banned and used only by resistance movements. Following the 1999 UN-supervised referendum in which Timorese voters chose independence, and after a period of UN administration, Timor-Leste became fully independent on 20 May 2002. The current flag was adopted on independence day and has remained unchanged since, making Timor-Leste the first new sovereign state of the 21st century.

Key facts

Adopted

20 May 2002

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Based on the flag used by Fretilin in 1975

Capital

Dili

Country code

TL

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Timor-Leste has used several flags across its Portuguese, Indonesian and independence periods.

• Portuguese Timor (1702–1975): Portuguese colonial flags.
• Fretilin flag (1975): Current design raised on 28 November 1975.
• Indonesian occupation (1975–1999): Indonesian flag used by the occupying government; resistance used the 1975 flag.
• UN administration (1999–2002): United Nations flag used during UNTAET administration.
• Current flag (2002–present): Fretilin design adopted as the national flag.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Timorese coat of arms with a shield, sword, spear and bow.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Timor-Leste look like?

The flag of Timor-Leste is a red field with a yellow isosceles triangle at the hoist and a white triangle inside it. A white five-pointed star sits in the center of the black edge of the yellow triangle. The proportion is 1:2.

When was the flag of Timor-Leste adopted?

The current flag of Timor-Leste was officially adopted on 20 May 2002.

What do the colors mean?

Red represents the blood shed in the struggle for Timorese independence, yellow represents the wealth of the country and its colonial history under Portugal and other foreign powers, white represents peace, and the black border of the yellow triangle represents the darkness that must be overcome. The white star represents the light of freedom and the guiding light of the Timorese people.

Which flags look similar to the Timor-Leste flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Timor-Leste's. The combination of a red field with a yellow triangle, black border, white triangle and white star is unique.