Flag of Guyana

Meaning and history of the flag of Guyana

Guyana's flag, known as the Golden Arrowhead, was adopted on May 26, 1966, upon independence from the United Kingdom. Its design is one of the most dynamic and geometrically striking in the world: a green field bears a red triangle with a black border pointing toward the fly, containing a smaller yellow triangle with a white border.

The green represents the agriculture and forests covering much of Guyanese territory. The white symbolizes the country's rivers and water resources. The yellow, the golden arrowhead itself, represents mineral wealth, especially gold and bauxite. The black stands for the people's endurance and perseverance, and the red represents the dynamism and zeal with which Guyanese are building their nation.

The design was created by Whitney Smith, a prominent American vexillologist, at the request of the Guyanese government. The forward-pointing arrowhead symbolizes progress and the future. The flag is unique in its use of five colors and its angular geometry, immediately setting it apart from those of its South American neighbors. Its 3:5 proportions and asymmetrical design make it one of the most original flags in the Americas.

You can view the flag of Guyana in high resolution above and download it in several sizes for personal, educational or reference use. To explore more, visit the full Guyana profile, its map, or the current local time in Georgetown.