National colours

National colours are frequently part of a country's set of national symbols.

Many states and nations have formally adopted a set of colours as their official "national colours" while others have de facto national colours that have become well known through popular use. National colours often appear on a variety of different media, from the nation's flag to the colours used in sports.

Africa

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Primary	Further information
Algeria	Green, white and red			National colours of Algeria
Angola	Red, black and yellow			National colours of Angola
Benin	Green, yellow and red			National colours of Benin
Botswana	Light blue, black and white			National colours of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Red, green and yellow			National colours of Burkina Faso
Burundi	Red, white and green			National colours of Burundi
Cameroon	Green, red and yellow			National colours of Cameroon
Cape Verde	Blue, white, red and yellow			National colours of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	Blue, white, green, yellow and red			National colours of Central African Republic
Chad	Blue, yellow and red			National colours of Chad
Comoros	Yellow, white, red, blue and green			National colours of Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	Blue, yellow and red			National colours of Decromatic Republic of Congo ( DRC )
Congo, Republic of the	Green, yellow and red			National colours of Congo Republic
Djibouti	Light blue, green, white and red			National colours of Djibouti
Egypt	Red, white and black		( and golden colour also )	National colours of Egypt
Equatorial Guinea	Green, white, red and blue			National colours of Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea	Green, blue, red and yellow			National colours of Eritrea
Eswatini (Swaziland)	Blue, yellow, red, black and white
Ethiopia	Green, yellow, red and blue			National colours of Ethiopia
Gabon	Green, yellow and blue
Gambia	Red, blue, green and white
Ghana	Red, yellow, green and black	Black and white (used in sports)
Guinea	Red, yellow and green
Guinea-Bissau	Red, yellow, green and black
Ivory Coast	Orange, white and green
Kenya	Black, red, green and white
Lesotho	Blue, white, green and black
Liberia	Red, white and blue
Libya	Red, black, green and white
Madagascar	Red, green and white
Malawi	Black, red and green
Mali	Green, yellow and red
Mauritania	Green, yellow and red
Mauritius	Red, blue, yellow and green
Morocco	Red and green
Mozambique	Green, yellow, red, black and white
Namibia	Blue, red, green, white and yellow
Niger	Orange, white and green
Nigeria	Green and white
Rwanda	Sky blue, yellow and green
São Tomé and Príncipe	Green, yellow, red and black
Senegal	Green, yellow and red
Seychelles	Blue, yellow, red, white and green
Sierra Leone	Green, white and blue
Somalia	Blue and white
South Africa	Red, green, blue, gold, black and white^[1]	Green and gold (used in sports)		National colours of South Africa
South Sudan	Black, red, green, blue, yellow and white
Sudan	Red, white, black and green
Tanzania	Green, yellow, blue and black
Togo	Green, yellow, red and white
Tunisia	Red and white
Uganda	Black, yellow and red
Zambia	Green, red, black and orange
Zimbabwe	Green, yellow, red, black and white

North America

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Antigua and Barbuda	Red, white, blue, black and yellow
Bahamas	Aquamarine, yellow and black
Barbados	Ultramarine, gold and black
Belize	Blue, red and white	Sky blue (used in sports)
Canada	Red and white^[2]	Black (only used in sports)	National colours of Canada
Costa Rica	Blue, white and red	Black (used in sports)
Cuba	Blue, white and red	Black
Dominica	Green, yellow, black, white and red	Blue (used in sports)
Dominican Republic	Blue, white and red
El Salvador	Blue and white
Grenada	Green, yellow and red
Guatemala	Blue and white	Navy blue and green-blue
Haiti	Blue and red^[3]
Honduras	Blue and white	Navy blue and midnight blue
Jamaica	Green, gold and black
Mexico	Green, white and red	Black, Indian red, magenta and lime green (used only in sports)	National colours of Mexico
Nicaragua	Blue and white	Gold and denim (used only in sports)
Panama	Blue, white and red	Midnight blue and cadet blue (used only in sports)
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Green, red and white	Gold and black
Saint Lucia	Light blue, yellow, black and white	Blue (only in sports)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Blue, yellow and green
Trinidad and Tobago	Red, white and black	Maroon (only in sports)
United States of America	Red, white and blue^[3]		National colours of the United States

Sub-national colours

Country, Nation or Region	Primary colours	Secondary colours
Anguilla	Orange, blue and white
Aruba	Yellow, cerulean, white, red
Bermuda	Red, blue and white	Prussian blue (used in sports)
Bonaire	Yellow, blue and white
British Virgin Islands	Green, yellow and white
Cayman Islands	Blue, red and white
Curaçao	Blue, yellow and white
Guadeloupe	Green, red and white
Martinique	Blue and white	Light blue
Montserrat	Black, green, dark blue, red and white
Puerto Rico	Red, white and blue
Saint Martin	Yellow and blue	Dark blue, red and white
Saint Pierre et Miquelon	Blue, white and red
Sint Maarten	Red, blue and white
Turks and Caicos	Blue, light blue, red and white	Green sheen (only in sports)
US Virgin Islands	White, yellow and blue	Light blue (used only in sports)

South America

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours
Argentina	Light blue and white^[4]	Blue and black (used in sports)
Bolivia	Red, yellow and green	White (used in sports)
Brazil	Green and yellow	Blue and white
Chile	Red, white and blue
Colombia	Yellow, blue and red	Dark blue and white (used in sports)
Ecuador	Yellow, blue and red	Sky blue (used in sports)
French Guiana	Yellow and green	Blue (used in sports)
Guyana	Yellow and green	Red and black
Paraguay	Red, white and blue	Bluegray (used in sports)
Peru	Red and white
Suriname	White and green	Red and gold
Uruguay	Blue and white	Light blue is used in sports
Venezuela	Yellow, blue and red	Burgundy and khaki (used in sports)

Asia

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Afghanistan	Black, red, green and white	Blue (cricket)
Bahrain	Red and white
Bangladesh	Red, green and gold	White (football) ^[5]	First Flag of Bangladesh (1971)
Bhutan	Fulvous, gold and white	Red (football)
Brunei	Yellow, black, white and red	Blue and green (football)
Cambodia	Red and blue	Black (football)
China	Red and yellow	Dark blue, black and white (sports)
Hong Kong	Red and white	Black and gray
India	Saffron orange, blue, white and green	Sky blue (sports)
Indonesia	Red and white^[6]	Green (sports)
Iran	Green, white and red	Black
Iraq	Red, white, black and green
Israel	Blue and white^[7]		National colours of Israel
Japan	Red and white	Black (sports); Blue, white and spring bud (only used in football)	National colours of Japan
Jordan	Black, white, green and red
Kazakhstan	Blue and yellow	White and black (sports)
Korea, North (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)	Red, white and blue
Korea, South (Republic of Korea)	White, red, blue and black
Kuwait	Green, white, red and black	Blue and red (sports)
Kyrgyzstan	Red and yellow	Maroon, blue and white (football)
Laos	Red, blue and white	Black, gold and sky blue (football)
Lebanon	Red, white and green
Macau	Green and white	White and dark blue (sports)
Malaysia	Gold and black	Red, white, dark blue and yellow
Maldives	Red and white	Green and blue (football)
Mongolia	Blue, red and yellow	White (sports)
Myanmar	Yellow, green, red and white
Nepal	Crimson, blue and white
Oman	Red, white and green	Gold
Pakistan	Green and white	Lime green and gold (sports)
Philippines	Blue, red, white and yellow
Qatar	Maroon and white
Saudi Arabia	Green and white	Dark green (football)
Singapore	Red and white	Blue (football)
Sri Lanka	Maroon, gold, green and orange	Blue (sports)
Syria	Red, white, black and green	Gray and gold
Tajikistan	Red, white and green
Thailand	Red, white and blue	Royal yellow, royal purple and blue sapphire	Royal flags of Thailand
Timor-Leste	Red, yellow, black and white
Turkey	Red and white	Turquoise
Turkmenistan	Green and white	Sand
United Arab Emirates	Red, green, white and black	Gold and blue
Uzbekistan	Blue, white, red and green	Black (sports)
Vietnam	Red and yellow	White (sports)
Yemen	Red, white and black

Europe

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Albania	Red and black
Andorra	Blue, yellow and red
Armenia	Red, blue and orange
Austria	Red and white
Azerbaijan	Blue, red and green
Belarus	Red, white and green
Belgium	Red	Black and yellow; Light blue (used in cycling)^[8]
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Blue and gold	White (used in football)
Bulgaria	White, green and red
Croatia	Red, white and blue
Cyprus	Blue and white	Orange
Czech Republic	White, red and blue^[9]^[10]^[11]		National colours of the Czech Republic
Denmark	Red and white
Estonia	Blue, black and white^[12]
Finland	White and blue	Red and gold
France	Blue, white and red^[13]
Georgia	Red and white
Germany	Black, red and gold	White; Silver (used in motor racing)	National colours of Germany
Greece	Blue and white		National colours of Greece
Hungary	Red, white and green
Iceland	Blue, white and red
Ireland	Green	Blue, white and orange	Green relates to Goídel Glas, Father of Goidelic (Gaelic) languages and Gaels, Blue relates to St. Patrick, White as it appears on the Irish flag relates to peace between the Gaelic nationalism and the Loyalist supporters of William of Orange and Orange for William of Orange.
Italy	Green, white and red^[14]	Azure	National colours of Italy
Latvia	Carmine and white
Liechtenstein	Blue and red
Lithuania	Yellow, green and red
Luxembourg	Red, white and light blue
Malta	Red and white
Moldova	Blue, yellow and red
Monaco	Red and white
Montenegro	Red and gold
Netherlands	Orange	Red, white and blue	Orange refers to the Dutch Royal Family, the House of Orange-Nassau.
North Macedonia	Red and yellow
Norway	Red, white and blue
Poland	White and red		National colours of Poland
Portugal	Green and red	(Before the 1910 revolution: White and blue)
Romania	Blue, yellow and red
Russia	White, blue and red	Green
San Marino	White and light blue
Serbia	Red, blue and white^[15]^[16]^[17]		National colours of Serbia
Slovakia	White, blue and red
Slovenia	White, blue and red^[18]	Green, blue and white (sports)^[19]
Spain	Red and gold
Sweden	Blue and yellow		See Flag of Sweden
Switzerland	Red and white
Ukraine	Blue and gold		National colours of Ukraine
United Kingdom	Red, white and blue	British racing green	National colours of the United Kingdom

Sub-national colours

Country, Nation or Region	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Åland	Blue, yellow and red
Andalucia	Green and white
Basque Country	Green and red	White
Bavaria	Sky blue and white		See Flag of Bavaria
Brussels Region	Blue and yellow	Grey
Canary Islands	Yellow, blue and white
Catalonia	Red and yellow
Dublin City	Green and blue		It is common to see dark blue and light blue flown for Dublin, but this is the GAA colours for Dublin county.
England	Red and white	Blue (sports)
Faroe Islands	White, blue and red
Flanders	Black and yellow
Friesland	Blue, white and red
Gibraltar	Red and white
Guernsey	Red and white	Green (sports)	See Flag of Guernsey
Isle of Man	Red and grey
Northern Ireland	Red and white	Green and white (sports)	Green and white is in reference to the national football team
Jersey	Red and white
Scotland	Blue and white
Wales	Red, green and white
Wallonia	Red and yellow

Oceania

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Australia	Green and gold	Blue and white	National colours of Australia
Fiji	Light blue	White and black (rugby and other sports)
New Zealand	Black^[20]	White, silver, ochre red and teal	National colours of New Zealand
Samoa	Red, white and blue
Solomon Islands	Olive green, yellow and blue	Green and white
Tonga	Red and white
Tuvalu	Sky blue, yellow and white	Blue

Sub-national colours

Country, Nation or Region	Primary colours	Secondary colours
American Samoa	Blue, red and white
Cook Islands	Green and white
French Polynesia	Red and white
Guam	Indigo and red	Blue and white
New Caledonia	Gray, white and red
Niue	Yellow golden and blue

Countries with limited or no recognition

These are the national colours for countries or states that have limited or no recognition.

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours
Abkhazia	Green, white and red
Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)	Red, blue and orange	White
Donetsk People's Republic	Black, blue and red
Islamic State	Black
Kosovo	Blue, yellow and white	Black
Luhansk People's Republic	Light blue, blue and red
Northern Cyprus	Red and white
Palestine	Black, white, green and red
Somaliland	Green, white and red
South Ossetia	White, red and yellow
Taiwan	Blue, white and red	Verdigris (University Sports)
Transnistria	Red and green

Former countries

Country	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
Byzantine Empire	Red, Gold, Purple		Byzantine flags and insignia
East Germany	Black, red and gold	Blue	National colours of Germany
France (Kingdom of France 987–1792, 1814–1848)	White, Blue		French Blue, French Flags
German Empire	Black, White, Red		German Flags
Holy Roman Empire	Gold, Black	White, Red	Flags of the Holy Roman Empire
Rhodesia	Green
Roman Empire	Red, Purple
Roman Republic	Red
Soviet Union	Red	Gold
South Africa (pre-1994)	Orange, white and blue	Green (sports)
South Yemen	Red, sky blue, white and black
Yugoslavia	Blue, white and red

Caliphates

Country	Primary colours	Further information
Abbasid Caliphate	Black	Black Standard
Umayyad Caliphate	White
Fatimid Caliphate	Green, White	Green in Islam

Ancient/Imperial Chinese Dynasties

Country	Primary colours	Further information
Xia Dynasty	Black, Grue	,^[21] Green/Blue in China
Shang Dynasty	White	^[21]
Zhou Dynasty	Red	^[21]
Qin Dynasty	Black	^[21]
Han Dynasty	Yellow, Red	^[21]
Former Wei Dynasty	Yellow	^[21]
Jin Dynasty	Red, White	^[21]
Liu Song Dynasty	Red, Black	^[21]
Southern Qi Dynasty	Red, Grue	,^[21] Green/Blue in China
Liang Dynasty	Red	^[21]
Chen Dynasty	Red, Yellow	^[21]
Northern Wei Dynasty	Black	^[21]
Northern Qi Dynasty	Black	^[21]
Northern Zhou Dynasty	Black	^[21]
Sui Dynasty	Red	^[21]
Tang Dynasty	Yellow	^[21]
Later Jin Dynasty	White	^[21]
Later Han Dynasty	Black	^[21]
Later Zhou Dynasty	Grue	,^[21] Green/Blue in China
Song Dynasty	Red	^[21]
Western Xia Dynasty	White	^[21]
Jin Dynasty	White	^[21]
Yuan Dynasty	White	^[21]
Ming Dynasty	Red	^[21]
Qing Dynasty	Yellow	,^[21] Imperial yellow jacket

Supranational organisations

Some noted supranational organisations like the United Nations and the European Union have their own colours as part of their branding and marketing. They are usually taken from the organisation's flag. Although they do not have national sporting teams, the colours can be used for anything connected to the organisation, like associated bodies.

Organisation	Primary colours	Secondary colours	Further information
African Union	Green and gold		Flag of the African Union
Arab League	Green	Red, black and white	Flag of the Arab League, Pan-Arab colours
Association of Southeast Asian Nations	Blue, red and yellow	Brown	Flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Caribbean Community	Sky blue, navy and yellow	Maroon (sports)	Maroon is the colour of the West Indies cricket team. Although they are not an officially part of CARICOM, most members of the community are members of the Cricket West Indies. CARICOM sees the organisation as an associated institute of Community.^[22]
Community of Portuguese Language Countries	Blue and white		Flag of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries
Eurasian Economic Union	White	Blue and gold	Flag of the Eurasian Economic Union
European Union	Reflex blue and gold		Flag of Europe
Mercosur	White and blue	Green	Flag of Mercosur
NATO	Dark Blue		Flag of NATO
Nordic Council	Blue and white		Flag of the Nordic Council; Design Manual of the Nordic Council - Colours
Turkic Council	Turqouise		Although the flag of the Turkic Council is light blue and white, turquoise is the colour most associated with the Turkic region.
United Nations	Light blue and white		Flag of the United Nations

Examples of use of these colours

United Nations: the recognisable blue helmets of the peacekeeping operations and the flags of associated UN agencies like the World Health Organisation, with the UN's light blue and white.
European Union: the blue and yellow of the EU flag; uses include the blue European Health Insurance Card and the Blue Card for skilled immigration.

References

^ "National flag". South African Government. 2018-02-19.
^ "National Colours: Red and White". Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
^ ^a ^b "National Symbols". The World Factbook (52nd ed.). Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Public Affairs. 2014. ISBN 978-0-16-092553-5. OCLC 913577992. Archived from the original on 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
^ "Símbolos nacionales". Government of Argentina. Archived from the original on 2015-10-09. La primera enseña patria es la Bandera Nacional. Creada por el general Manuel Belgrano el 27 de febrero de 1812, fue consagrada con los mismos colores ‘celeste y blanco’ por el Congreso de Tucumán el 20 de julio de 1816 y ratificada por el mismo cuerpo en Buenos Aires, el 25 de febrero de 1818.
^ "Bangadesh national team". Colours of Football. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
^ Minahan, James B. (2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. ABC-CLIO. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-313-34497-8. Retrieved 2015-10-26. National colors: Red and white
^ "Israel National Symbols: The Israeli Flag". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
^ "Rode Duivels brengen eerbetoon aan wielrenners met uitshirts". Sporza. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
^ "Státní symboly". hrad.cz.
^ "Symboly současné České republiky". vlast.cz.
^ "Státní symboly České republiky". toulkypocechach.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
^ "National symbols of Estonia". Archived from the original on 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
^ "Le drapeau tricolor" [The Tricolor Flag] (in French). 2002-06-20. Archived from the original on 2005-01-28. Retrieved 2015-07-18. Le pavillon, ainsi que le drapeau national, sera formé des trois couleurs nationales disposées en trois bandes égales, de manière à ce que le bleu soit attaché à la garde du pavillon, le blanc au milieu et le rouge flottant.
^ Ferorelli, Nicola (1925). La vera origine del tricolore italiano. Rassegna storica del Risorgimento. 12. pp. 654–680.
^ The Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society of Great Britain. Orders and Medals Research Society. 1969. p. 207).
^ Chronicles. Rockford Institute. 1994. p. 39.
^ Thomas, Nigel; Mikulan, Krunoslav (2006). The Yugoslav Wars (2): Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia 1992–2001. Osprey Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-84176-964-6.
^ "National Insignia". Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2016-08-21. the three national colours (white, blue and red) of Carniola - the central historic state on the territory of the Slovenian people - are used
^ "Sport in Slovenia" (PDF). Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-21. The Olympic Committee of Slovenia suggests that sports organisations use the following ratio when designing national sports equipment: 50% green, 30% blue and 20% white.
^ "Design of The New Zealand Orders Insignia". The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Government of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y doi:10.3176/tr.2012.3.03
^ "West Indies Cricket Board". CARICOM. Retrieved 2020-06-23.

[1] "National flag". South African Government. 2018-02-19.

[2] "National Colours: Red and White". Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-10-26.

[CIA-3] "National Symbols". The World Factbook (52nd ed.). Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Public Affairs. 2014. ISBN 978-0-16-092553-5. OCLC 913577992. Archived from the original on 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2015-05-02.

[4] "Símbolos nacionales". Government of Argentina. Archived from the original on 2015-10-09. La primera enseña patria es la Bandera Nacional. Creada por el general Manuel Belgrano el 27 de febrero de 1812, fue consagrada con los mismos colores ‘celeste y blanco’ por el Congreso de Tucumán el 20 de julio de 1816 y ratificada por el mismo cuerpo en Buenos Aires, el 25 de febrero de 1818.

[5] "Bangadesh national team". Colours of Football. Retrieved 2018-07-11.

[6] Minahan, James B. (2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems. ABC-CLIO. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-313-34497-8. Retrieved 2015-10-26. National colors: Red and white

[7] "Israel National Symbols: The Israeli Flag". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 2014-06-11.

[8] "Rode Duivels brengen eerbetoon aan wielrenners met uitshirts". Sporza. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-08-20.

[9] "Státní symboly". hrad.cz.

[10] "Symboly současné České republiky". vlast.cz.

[11] "Státní symboly České republiky". toulkypocechach.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-26.

[12] "National symbols of Estonia". Archived from the original on 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2016-07-29.

[France-13] "Le drapeau tricolor" [The Tricolor Flag] (in French). 2002-06-20. Archived from the original on 2005-01-28. Retrieved 2015-07-18. Le pavillon, ainsi que le drapeau national, sera formé des trois couleurs nationales disposées en trois bandes égales, de manière à ce que le bleu soit attaché à la garde du pavillon, le blanc au milieu et le rouge flottant.

[14] Ferorelli, Nicola (1925). La vera origine del tricolore italiano. Rassegna storica del Risorgimento. 12. pp. 654–680.

[15] The Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society of Great Britain. Orders and Medals Research Society. 1969. p. 207).

[16] Chronicles. Rockford Institute. 1994. p. 39.

[ThomasMikulan2006-17] Thomas, Nigel; Mikulan, Krunoslav (2006). The Yugoslav Wars (2): Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia 1992–2001. Osprey Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-84176-964-6.

[18] "National Insignia". Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2016-08-21. the three national colours (white, blue and red) of Carniola - the central historic state on the territory of the Slovenian people - are used

[19] "Sport in Slovenia" (PDF). Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-21. The Olympic Committee of Slovenia suggests that sports organisations use the following ratio when designing national sports equipment: 50% green, 30% blue and 20% white.

[20] "Design of The New Zealand Orders Insignia". The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Government of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2013-03-20.

[china_source-21] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y doi:10.3176/tr.2012.3.03

[22] "West Indies Cricket Board". CARICOM. Retrieved 2020-06-23.

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National colours

Africa

North America

Sub-national colours

South America

Asia

Europe

Sub-national colours

Oceania

Sub-national colours

Countries with limited or no recognition

Former countries

Caliphates

Ancient/Imperial Chinese Dynasties

Supranational organisations

Examples of use of these colours

See also

References