Flags of Madagascar

The flag of the country of Madagascar feature two equal horizontal stripes, red on top and green at the bottom. It also has a white vertical stripe at the left side or the hoist. Adopted two years before the independence of Madagascar, on October 14, 1958, the flag of Madagascar features colors that represent the country's rich history and yearning for freedom from foreign rule. The flag was introduced at a time when the land was preparing for a referendum regarding its status in the French Community. The flag of the country of Madagascar is red and white, the original colors of the Merina kingdom which was invaded by France in 1896. The flag was used by the last Queen of Merina, Queen Ranavalona III. Red and white was also said to be the color of all past Merina banners.

The colors of the flag of Madagascar are also used by Indonesia indicating the possible ethnic origin of Madagascar's Malagasy people in Southeast Asia. The color green in the flag of Madagascar represent the Hova, or the prominent class of peasant commoners in Madagascar. The Hovas are credited for playing an important role in anti-French movements that eventually led to the country's independence from French rule.