Page 88 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Africa

Burkina

Ratio: 2:3 Adopted: August 4, 1984 Usage: National and Civil

Red, yellow, and Red recalls the
green are pan- 1984 revolution
African colors

The star is the
guiding light of
the revolution

Green represents Burkina’s
abundant natural resources

Africa
.IGER Burkina, originally known as Upper Volta, was
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once a French colony. It became self-governing in
"52+).!
1958 and fully independent in 1960.
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The original flag of Upper Volta, the red and green stripes is the
adopted at independence, contained guiding light of the revolution.
three horizontal stripes of black,
white, and red. These simple colors THE NATIONAL ARMS
represented the three major The coat of arms, which was adopted
tributaries of the Volta River, which in September 1997, shows a shield in
flow south through the country. the colors of the national flag. The
arms are held by two horses, which
A NEW NATIONALFLAG represent the nobility of the people.
In August 1984 there was a coup and Two crossed lances show the will of
a new flag and emblem were the people to defend their country,
adopted. The new flag is in the pan- and an open book and two ears of
African colors, reflecting both a millet symbolize their will to educate
break with the country’s colonial and feed themselves. At the top of
past and its unity with other African the arms is a scroll, inscribed with
ex-colonies. The red is also said to the name Burkina Faso—the country
symbolize the revolution and the of the upright people. At the base,
green the abundance of natural another scroll carries the national
riches. The yellow star placed over motto: Unity, Development, Justice.

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