A brief overview of the meaning, history, and key facts about the national flag of Senegal.
Flag of Senegal
The national flag of Senegal consists of three equal vertical stripes of green, yellow, and red, with a green five-pointed star in the center of the yellow stripe. The colors carry several symbolic meanings: green represents hope and fertility and is also associated with religion in the country, yellow symbolizes wealth, culture, and economic progress, and red represents sacrifice and determination. The green star represents openness to the world and the spiritual values of the nation.
Printable Senegal Flag (PNG Download)
Interesting facts about Senegal’s flag
1. The national flag of Senegal features the Pan-African colors of green, yellow, and red, which are commonly used by several African countries.
2. The green color has different meanings for different religious traditions in Senegal. For Muslims it represents the color of the Prophet’s flag, for Christians it symbolizes hope, and for animists it represents fertility.
3. The five points of the star symbolize Senegal’s openness to the five continents.
4. Yellow is associated with wealth and economic development but is also traditionally linked with arts, culture and the intellect.
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Evolution of Senegal’s flag
Flag of the Republic of Senegal (1958–1959)
Before independence, Senegal briefly used a green flag with a yellow star in the center when it became an autonomous republic within the French Community.
Flag of the Mali Federation (1959–1960)
When Senegal and French Sudan formed the Mali Federation, a new flag was adopted. It consisted of vertical stripes of green, yellow, and red with a black human figure known as a kanaga symbol in the center.
History of Senegal’s flag
French colonial period
For much of its modern history Senegal was part of French West Africa, and the French tricolor served as the main official flag of the territory.
Colonial authorities discouraged the use of distinctive local flags because they feared this could encourage nationalist movements.
Formation of the Mali Federation
In April 1959 Senegal joined with French Sudan to form the Mali Federation, a political union established during the final years of French colonial rule in West Africa.
The federation adopted a flag consisting of green, yellow, and red vertical stripes with a black kanaga symbol in the center.
The federation gained independence from France on 20 June 1960.
Adoption of the national flag
The federation collapsed only two months later. On 20 August 1960, Senegal withdrew from the union and became an independent state.
The new national flag retained the same tricolor design but replaced the kanaga symbol with a green five-pointed star placed in the center of the yellow stripe.
This design has remained the national flag of Senegal ever since.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. With seven years of teaching experience and a background in educational content, she specialises in creating clear reference resources about countries, geography and global topics.