Flag of Romania

Meaning and history of the flag of Romania

The flag of Romania consists of three equal vertical stripes of blue, yellow, and red, from hoist to fly. Blue symbolizes the sky, freedom, and justice; yellow represents the grain fields and the generosity of the land; and red embodies the blood shed for independence and the courage of the Romanian people. The three colors trace their roots to the historic principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania.

The flag was formally adopted in its current form in 1989, after the revolution that toppled Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist regime, though the Romanian tricolor's origins go back to 1834. It is nearly identical to the flag of Chad, differing only in a barely perceptible shade of blue, with Romania's being slightly lighter. This resemblance has prompted diplomatic protests from Chad, though neither country has changed its design. The flag is also quite similar to those of Andorra and Moldova, both of which add a coat of arms over the tricolor to set themselves apart.

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