Burundi

Burundi
Adopted	June 28, 1967 (proportions changed on September 27, 1982)
Proportions	3:5

The flag of Burundi is a white saltire splitting the background into four sections. The top and bottom of these sections are red, and the other two are green. In the center of the flag, covering the slatire intersection, is a white circle with three six-pointed stars in a triangle equidistant from each other. These stars' triangle is in the center of the circle, pointing upwards, and the stars are red with green outlines.

Symbolism

The three stars represent the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa groups within Burundi, and the national motto "Unity, Work, and Progress". The red represents the blood shed and the struggle for independence. Green represents the nations' hope for future development, and the white represents peace.

History

Burundi, was first merged with Rwanda, under the name of the Ruanda-Urundi colony, first given to the German Empire in the Berlin Conference, then later given to Belgium after WWII, so the colony's flags were those of their respective colonizers.

One year (1961) before independence (1962), While still under the name of the Belgian colony, both Rwanda and Burundi both have been given autonomy, and thus, respective flags. Burundi's flag was a tricolor of red, white, and green, with a golden stylized version of a drum in the center. This flag lasted one year.

In 1962, the flag was later changed to a design similar to the current flag, having first a sorghum plant in the center (and also a drum for a variant). however both were later removed for two days in November of 1966, leaving the circle blank. After the kingdom was abolished, the sorghum plant was later reinstated (the drum version never came back) and lasted until 1967. The current flag was adopted with 2:3 proportions in 1967, before changing to 3:5 proportions in 1982.

1962-1966

November 27-28, 1966

1966-1967

1967-1982

1982-present