Flag of Madagascar

The **flag of Madagascar** was adopted on 14 October 1958, two years before the independence of that nation, as Madagascar prepared for a referendum on its status in the French Community.

The colors of the flag represent Madagascar's history, yearning for independence, and traditional classes. Red and white were the colors of the Merina kingdom, which succumbed to France in 1896. They were used in the flag of the last Merina monarch, Queen Ranavalona III. They may indicate the ethnic origins of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia, and are shared by the flag of Indonesia. Green was the color of the Hova, the largest class of peasant commoners, who played a significant role in anti-French agitation and the independence movement.

## Current flags

### Ethnic

Flag of the Merina people.svg2:3 Flag of the Merina people (since 1997)
### Military

Flag of the Chief of Army Staff of Madagascar (Brigade General).svg2:3 Flag of the Chief of Army Staff in the rank of Brigade GeneralFlag of the Chief of Army Staff of Madagascar (Divisional General).svg2:3 Flag of the Chief of Army Staff in the rank of Divisional GeneralPennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff of Madagascar (non-flag officer).svg1:2 Pennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff in the rank of Commodore or belowPennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff of Madagascar (Rear Admiral).svg1:2 Pennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff in the rank of Rear AdmiralPennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff of Madagascar (Vice Admiral).svg1:2 Pennant of the Chief of the Naval Air Force Staff in the rank of Vice AdmiralPennant of the Commander of a Naval Group (Madagascar).svg1:2 Pennant of the Commander of a Naval GroupPennant of the Commander of a Naval Base (Madagascar).svg1:2 Pennant of the Commander of a Naval BaseMasthead pennant of Madagascar.svg1:20 Masthead pennant
## Historical flags

Merina Kingdom flag.svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Flag of the Merina Kingdom, c. 1787–1885[*Citation needed*]Flag of the Madagascar Protectorate (1885-1896).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Flag of the Malagasy Protectorate, 1885–1896Flag of France.svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned The French tricolour of the colonial period, 1896–1958
### Presidential Standards

#### Malagasy Republic

Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1959).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Philibert Tsiranana, 1959Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1959-1972).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Philibert Tsiranana, 1959–1972, obverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1959-1972, reverse).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandonedReverse side of flag Philibert Tsiranana, 1959–1972, reverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1972-1975).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Gabriel Ramanantsoa, 1972–1975, obverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1972-1975, reverse).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandonedReverse side of flag Gabriel Ramanantsoa, 1972–1975, reverse side
#### Democratic Republic of Madagascar

Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1976-1993).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Didier Ratsiraka, 1976–1993, obverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1976-1993, reverse).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandonedReverse side of flag Didier Ratsiraka, 1976–1993, reverse side
#### Third Republic of Madagascar

Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1993-1996).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Albert Zafy, 1993–1996, obverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1993-1996, reverse).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandonedReverse side of flag Albert Zafy, 1993–1996, reverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1998-2002).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandoned Didier Ratsiraka, 1998–2002, obverse sidePresidential Standard of Madagascar (1998-2002, reverse).svg2:3 Design used in the past, but now abandonedReverse side of flag Didier Ratsiraka, 1998–2002, reverse side

## External links

* Madagascar at Flags of the World
* Madagascar flag at Flagscorner

1. ↑ Merina local flag (Madagascar). Flags of the World (2015-05-20). Retrieved on 2017-10-17.