Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Encyclopedia
The flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
was adopted on 20 February 2006. A new constitution, ratified in December 2005 and which came into effect in February 2006, promulgated a return to a flag similar to that flown between 1963 and 1971, with a change from a more royal blue to sky blue, which represents peace. Red stands for "the blood of the country's martyrs, yellow the country's wealth; and the star a radiant future for the country."
, but this is no longer appropriate, as the Congo now consists of ten independent provinces and one independent city (Kinshasa
). The flag is based on the flag which was originally used by King Leopold's
Association Internationale Africaine (which was supposedly a humanitarian organization, but functioned mainly as a front for Leopold's exploitive economic interests in the Congo) and was first hoisted in 1877. The original design for the flag was allegedly created by the famed explorer
Henry Morton Stanley
and the layout consists of a blue background with a five-pointed gold star centered on it, with the star supposedly being symbolic of the "light of civilization" now shining brightly in darkest Africa. The same design was then implemented as the flag of the Congo Free State
after the territory was recognized as an official possession of Leopold II at the Berlin Conference
.
After gaining independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960, the same basic design was maintained, however, six stars were incorporated to symbolise the six provinces of the country at the time. This design was used only from 1960 to 1963.
The flag of the Second Republic
of Mobutu Sese Seko
became the official banner after Mobutu established his dictatorship. This flag was used from 1966-1971 and consisted of the same yellow star, now made smaller, situated in the top corner of the hoist side, with a red, yellow-lined band running diagonally across the center. The red symbolized the people's blood; the yellow symbolized prosperity; the blue symbolized hope; and the star represented unity.
This flag was changed upon the renaming of the country to Zaire
in 1971. The Zaire flag (also below) was created as part of Mobutu's attempted re-Africanization of the nation and was used officially until Mobutu's overthrow in 1997.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
was adopted on 20 February 2006. A new constitution, ratified in December 2005 and which came into effect in February 2006, promulgated a return to a flag similar to that flown between 1963 and 1971, with a change from a more royal blue to sky blue, which represents peace. Red stands for "the blood of the country's martyrs, yellow the country's wealth; and the star a radiant future for the country."
Previous flags
The previous flag was adopted in 1997. It is similar to the flag used between 1960 and 1963. Originally, the stars on the left represented the six provinces of the Democratic Republic of the CongoAdministrative divisions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
-Territorial Organisation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:Reference : The administrative hierarchy of Political subdivisions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is as follows* Province ** Mairies *** Cities...
, but this is no longer appropriate, as the Congo now consists of ten independent provinces and one independent city (Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
). The flag is based on the flag which was originally used by King Leopold's
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...
Association Internationale Africaine (which was supposedly a humanitarian organization, but functioned mainly as a front for Leopold's exploitive economic interests in the Congo) and was first hoisted in 1877. The original design for the flag was allegedly created by the famed explorer
European exploration of Africa
European exploration of Africa began with Ancient Greeks and Romans, who explored and established settlements in North Africa. Fifteenth Century Portugal, especially under Henry the Navigator probed along the West African coast. Scientific curiosity and Christian missionary spirit soon were...
Henry Morton Stanley
Henry Morton Stanley
Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB, born John Rowlands , was a Welsh journalist and explorer famous for his exploration of Africa and his search for David Livingstone. Upon finding Livingstone, Stanley allegedly uttered the now-famous greeting, "Dr...
and the layout consists of a blue background with a five-pointed gold star centered on it, with the star supposedly being symbolic of the "light of civilization" now shining brightly in darkest Africa. The same design was then implemented as the flag of the Congo Free State
Congo Free State
The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa which was privately controlled by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Its origins lay in Leopold's attracting scientific, and humanitarian backing for a non-governmental organization, the Association internationale africaine...
after the territory was recognized as an official possession of Leopold II at the Berlin Conference
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period, and coincided with Germany's sudden emergence as an imperial power...
.
After gaining independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960, the same basic design was maintained, however, six stars were incorporated to symbolise the six provinces of the country at the time. This design was used only from 1960 to 1963.
The flag of the Second Republic
Congo Crisis
The Congo Crisis was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu...
of Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga , commonly known as Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko , born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, was the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1965 to 1997...
became the official banner after Mobutu established his dictatorship. This flag was used from 1966-1971 and consisted of the same yellow star, now made smaller, situated in the top corner of the hoist side, with a red, yellow-lined band running diagonally across the center. The red symbolized the people's blood; the yellow symbolized prosperity; the blue symbolized hope; and the star represented unity.
This flag was changed upon the renaming of the country to Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
in 1971. The Zaire flag (also below) was created as part of Mobutu's attempted re-Africanization of the nation and was used officially until Mobutu's overthrow in 1997.