Eswatini (fmr. "Swaziland") 🇸🇿

The Eswatini (formerly “Swaziland”) flag was designed by King Sobhuza II, the country’s longest-serving monarch, in 1967. The process of creating a flag for the newly independent state began in April of that year, when King Sobhuza II established a committee to design a flag for the kingdom. The committee was composed of both Swazi and British members, with the British members providing technical advice.

The flag created by the committee was officially adopted on September 6, 1967, and served as the nation’s flag until April 2018, when a new design was adopted. The original design featured the traditional colors and motifs of the Swazi people, as well as a black and white checkered pattern to represent the country’s colonial period. The national colors of red, blue, and yellow also featured prominently in the design.

The central motif of the flag is a red-bordered shield which contains two crossed spears and a staff, all of which are traditional Swazi weapons. Above the shield is a natural cockerel, while on either side are two Swazi shields, one black and one white. The white shield is said to represent peace, while the black shield is meant to symbolize the country’s struggles. The background of the flag is a light blue, representing the sky and the heavens.

The original flag was designed to evoke pride and patriotism in the people of Eswatini, and to represent the country’s history and culture. The colors are significant as they represent the royal house of the Swazi people, as well as the country’s historic struggles and the natural beauty of the land. The weapons represent the courage and strength of the Swazi people, while the cockerel symbolizes the nation’s independence.

The flag of Eswatini is still used today and is a symbol of national pride. It is also used as a reminder of the country’s rich history and culture, and the courage and resilience of the Swazi people. The design was created by King Sobhuza II and has since been adopted by the nation as their official flag.