The flag of Seychelles was adopted on January 8, 1996.[1] The current flag is the third used by the country since its independence from Britain on June 29, 1976.[2] The colours used in the current flag are the official colours of two of the nation's major political partiesSeychelles People's United Party and the Seychelles Democratic Party.

The flag consists of five different coloured bands (green, white, red, yellow and blue) starting from one end and diverging towards the other end.[3][4] The oblique bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future. The colour blue depicts the sky and the sea that surrounds the Seychelles. Yellow is for the sun which gives light and life, red symbolizes the people and their determination to work for the future in unity and love, while the white band represents social justice and harmony. The green depicts the land and natural environment.[3][5]

The original flag was adopted after independence on June 29, 1976. It had alternating blue and red triangles. Coincidentally the flag was almost identical to the Australian United Steam Navigation Company's flag.[5] In 1977, when president James Mancham was overthrown by France-Albert Ren, the old flag was abolished and the red, white and green flag based on the flag of the Seychelles People's United Party came into use, which had a district wavy white stripe. The only significant difference between the national flag and SPUP's flag was the depiction of the sun in the party's flag which was not used in the country's flag. When the party lost the majority in the elections, other parties demanded a change in the flag which led to a parliamentary approval of a new proposed design.[5]

Flag of Seychelles from 1961-1976-badge designed by Mrs. Alec McEwen of Toronto, Canada

Governor's flag 1903-1961

Governor's flag 1961-1976

Used from 1996, the national flag defaced with the Coat of arms on the upper right corner[3]

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Flag of Seychelles - Wikipedia