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Flag of Gabon
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | |
| Use | National flag and ensign    |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:4 |
| Adopted | 9 August 1960 |
| Design | A horizontal triband of green, gold and blue |
| Designed by | Léon Augé, Pierre Claver Eyeghe |
 Standard of the president of Gabon | |
| Use | State flag  |
| Proportion | 3:4 |
| Adopted | 2016 |
.svg) State flag of Gabon with the national seal | |
| Use | State flag  |
| Proportion | 3:4 |
The flag of Gabon (French: drapeau du Gabon) is a tricolour consisting of three horizontal green, yellow, and blue bands. Adopted in 1960 to replace the previous colonial flag containing the French Tricolour at the canton, it has been the flag of the Gabonese Republic since the country gained independence that year. The design of the present flag entailed the removal of the Tricolour and the widening of the yellow stripe at the centre.
History
[edit]The French gained control of modern-day Gabon in 1839, when a local chief surrendered the sovereignty of his land to them. The Berlin Conference of 1885 solidified France's claim to the territory through diplomatic recognition,[1] and it later became part of French Equatorial Africa in 1910.[2] Under French colonial rule over Gabon, the authorities forbade the colony from utilizing its own distinctive colonial flag. This was because they were worried that this could increase nationalistic sentiment and lead to calls for independence.[3] However, with the rise of the decolonization movement in Africa, the French were obliged to grant limited autonomy to Gabon as a self-governing republic within the French Community. This was granted in 1958 after a referendum was held supporting the proposal.[2]
Gabon – considered "one of the more progressive" of French colonies – swiftly formulated a design for a new flag, which was officially adopted a year later in 1959.[3][4] It featured a horizontal tricolour identical to the current flag,[4] but with the yellow stripe at the centre narrower than the green and blue bands surrounding it. The French Tricolour was situated at the canton of the flag, making Gabon the only French autonomous republic to feature this "symbolic link" with France.[3][5]
On 9 August 1960 – just over a week before Gabon became an independent country on 17 August[6] – the flag was slightly modified. The change entailed removing the Tricolour at the canton and enlarging the yellow stripe at the centre, thus giving it equal width with the two other bands.[3]
Design
[edit]Symbolism
[edit]The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The yellow alludes to the Equator – which cuts across the country[3] – and also symbolizes the sun.[7] The green epitomizes the natural resources of Gabon, as well as its "extensive forested area" that the Gabonese people are economically dependent on in the form of lumber.[3][4][7] The blue represents the sea,[4][7] specifically the South Atlantic Ocean along which the country has an "extensive coast".[3] While Whitney Smith in the Encyclopædia Britannica and Dorling Kindersley's Complete Flags of the World describe the centre band as solely yellow,[3][4] The World Factbook characterizes it as both yellow and gold.[7]
Distinctiveness
[edit]The proportions of Gabon's flag are 3:4.[4] This uncommon flag ratio, which is enshrined by Gabonese law,[4] is shared by the flags of only three other countries – Democratic Republic of the Congo (some sources state that the proportions are 2:3), Papua New Guinea[8][9] and San Marino.[10][11] Furthermore, the country's flag does not utilize the green, yellow and red colours of the Pan-Africanist movement, in contrast to its neighbouring countries. Unlike other former French colonies in Africa, the flag consists of a horizontal tricolour, rather than a vertical one modelled after the flag of France.[3]
Colours
[edit]The colours on the Gabonese flag are:[12]
| Scheme | Green | Gold | Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantone (Paper) | 355 C | 109 C | 293 C |
| Web colours |
#009639 | #FFD100 | #003DA5 |
| RGB |
0, 150, 57 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 61, 165 |
| CMYK |
100%, 0%, 62%, 41% | 0%, 18%, 100%, 0% | 100%, 63%, 0%, 35% |
Presidential flags
[edit]| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) |
1960–1990 | Presidential Standard of Gabon | Banner of arms. Green field with three yellow circles forming the top third. The bottom two-thirds feature a yellow field, with a galleon flying the flag of Gabon at the stern sailing on the sea with three blue waves. |
.svg) |
1990–2016 | Horizontal green and blue bands separated by a yellow band at the centre, with the coat of arms in a white circle in the middle. | |
|
2016–present | Coat of arms on a navy blue background with bands the same colours as the national flag in each corner, from the edge green, yellow, and blue |
Naval flags
[edit]| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
?–? | Smaller replacement of the Gabonese Navy masthead pennant[13] | On the hoist, a tricolor of green, yellow and blue, on the fly, a white field charged with the arms of the Gabonese Navy. |
 |
de facto | Naval Jack of Gabon[13] | The same as the national flag with a 1:1 ratio. |
Ethnic group flags
[edit]| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
?–present | Flag of the Kongo people | A tricolor of red, white and yellow with a white 5-pointed star on the center. |
Provincial flags
[edit]| Flag | Province | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
Estuaire | Estuaire Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Haut-Ogooué | Haut-Ogooué Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Moyen-Ogooué | Moyen-Ogooué Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Ngounié | Ngounié Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Nyanga | Nyanga Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Ogooué-Ivindo | Ogooué-Ivindo Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Ogooué-Lolo | Ogooué-Lolo Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Ogooué-Maritime | Ogooué-Maritime Coat of Arms on a white field |
 |
 |
Woleu-Ntem | Woleu-Ntem Coat of Arms on a white field |
Municipal flags
[edit]| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) |
Flag of Libreville | Libreville Coat of Arms on a white field | |
.svg) |
Libreville Coat of Arms with a black text "Mairie de Libreville" on a white field |
Historical flags
[edit]| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
.svg) |
1959–1960 | Flag of Gabon | Horizontal green and blue bands separated by thinner yellow band at the centre, with the French Tricolour at the canton. |
References
[edit]- ^ "History of Gabon". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Gabon profile". BBC News. BBC. 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Smith, Whitney (19 July 2013). "Flag of Gabon". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f g Kindersley Ltd., Dorling (6 January 2009). Complete Flags of the World. Penguin. p. 92. ISBN 9780756654863.
- ^ Brooke, James (23 February 1988). "Gabon Keeps Strong Links With France". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- ^ Weinstein, Brian (1 May 2014). "Gabon – French control". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ a b c d "Gabon". The World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ Smith, Whitney (July 28, 2013). "Flag of Papua New Guinea". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ "PNG Flag and National Anthem". Embassy of Papua New Guinea to the Americas. Government of Papua New Guinea. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ Smith, Whitney (July 28, 2013). "Flag of San Marino". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ Europa World Year. Taylor & Francis Group. 2004. p. 3633. ISBN 9781857432558.
- ^ "Gabon". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
- ^ a b "Gabon – Naval Flags". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of Gabon.
- Flag of Gabon at Flags of the World
- Gabon Flag at World Flags 101
Flag of Gabon
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The flag of Gabon consists of three equal horizontal bands colored green at the top, yellow in the middle, and blue at the bottom, arranged in a tricolor design with an aspect ratio of 3:4.[1][2] It was officially adopted on 9 August 1960, shortly before the country gained independence from France on 17 August 1960, replacing colonial symbols and establishing a distinct national emblem reflective of Gabon's natural geography.[2][3] The green band symbolizes the dense equatorial forests covering much of the nation's interior, the yellow evokes the equator's position through Gabon and the radiant sun, while the blue represents the Atlantic Ocean along its coastline.[4][2] This simple yet evocative design underscores Gabon's reliance on its verdant timber resources, tropical climate, and maritime access, with the flag's proportions shared by only a handful of other national banners worldwide.[2][5]
Design and Specifications
Composition and Elements
The national flag of Gabon is a horizontal tricolour consisting of three equal-width stripes, with green at the top, yellow in the middle, and blue at the bottom.[6][7] The design features no additional geometric shapes, emblems, or overlays beyond these plain bands.[6][8] The flag's standard proportions are 3:4, meaning the hoist (vertical dimension) to fly (horizontal dimension) ratio is three units high to four units wide.[6][7] This ratio is specified in Gabonese law governing the flag's construction.[2]Colors and Their Ratios
The flag of Gabon consists of three equal horizontal stripes: green at the top, yellow in the middle, and blue at the bottom, with a solid black five-pointed star centered within the yellow stripe.[8] The stripes each measure one-third of the flag's total height.[8] The overall dimensions maintain a ratio of 3:4 from hoist to fly.[8] Official color specifications include Pantone 355 C for the green stripe, Pantone 109 C for the yellow stripe, and Pantone 293 C for the blue stripe, as referenced in international flag standards documentation.[8] The black star employs standard pure black without outlines, shading, or additional embellishments.[8] While production variations in fabric and weathering can lead to minor shade differences, adherence to these Pantone values ensures consistency in formal representations.[8]Proportions and Construction Details
The flag of Gabon adheres to an aspect ratio of 3:4, with the hoist (vertical dimension) equivalent to three units and the fly (horizontal dimension) to four units. The three horizontal stripes—green atop, yellow central, and blue below—are of equal height, each measuring one unit vertically and extending the full four units horizontally.[2][9] This configuration is prescribed by Gabonese Law No. 54/60, enacted on 9 August 1960, which establishes the 3:4 ratio as the legal standard for the national flag to ensure uniform replication.[2] A black five-pointed star, oriented point-upward, is superimposed at the geometric center of the yellow stripe. Construction requires positioning the star such that its vertical extent (from uppermost to lowermost point) aligns precisely with the one-unit height of the yellow band, while its horizontal width fits proportionally within the four-unit fly without overlapping adjacent stripes. For accurate sewing, the hoist edge incorporates standard reinforcement, with division lines marked at one-unit intervals vertically to delineate stripe boundaries..svg)[9] Official production mandates fidelity to these geometric specifications, derived from unit-based scaling, to maintain proportionality across varying sizes; deviations compromise legal conformity for state and public applications.[2]Symbolism and Intended Meanings
The green horizontal stripe at the top of the flag symbolizes the equatorial forests that cover the majority of Gabon's national territory, representing one of the country's primary natural resources through timber production.[10] The central yellow stripe denotes the equator, which traverses the nation, as well as Gabon's mineral wealth, including significant deposits of manganese—accounting for over 25% of global production—and other extractive industries that have historically driven economic output.[10] The bottom blue stripe signifies the Atlantic Ocean coastline and associated fishery resources, underscoring maritime access vital for trade and sustenance in a coastal economy.[10] These attributions, formalized upon the flag's adoption on August 9, 1960, emphasize tangible economic assets over ideological abstractions, mirroring Gabon's resource-dependent development model where forestry contributes approximately 6% to GDP, mining and hydrocarbons exceed 80% of exports, and fisheries support local livelihoods amid limited diversification. Interpretations invoking vague notions of "hope" or "unity" lack substantiation in adoption records and diverge from the flag's empirical focus on extractive realism, consistent with post-independence priorities under President Léon M'ba.[10]Historical Development
Pre-Independence Flags
Gabon came under French influence in the early 19th century, with the establishment of a trading post at Libreville in 1849, but formal occupation as a protectorate occurred in 1885, during which the French Tricolour served as the official flag, as was standard for French overseas territories lacking distinct colonial ensigns.[11][12] France administered Gabon directly from 1903, reinforcing the use of the national tricolour without local modifications.[11] In 1910, Gabon was incorporated into French Equatorial Africa (Afrique Équatoriale Française, AEF), a federation comprising Gabon, Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari, and Chad, where the French Tricolour remained the sole flag flown by colonial authorities, reflecting centralized French control and the prohibition on territorial-specific designs.[11] This arrangement persisted until the federation's dissolution in 1958, with no evidence of adopted adaptations incorporating Gabonese or regional symbols, underscoring the territories' status as administrative units devoid of autonomous vexillological identity.[13] Following the 1958 constitutional reforms that granted internal autonomy to former colonies within the French Community, Gabon adopted its first provisional flag on 29 June 1959: three horizontal stripes of green (top), yellow (center, narrower than post-independence proportions), and blue (bottom), with the French Tricolour occupying the upper hoist canton.[14][15] The colors symbolized the nation's equatorial forests (green), the Equator traversing its territory (yellow), and Atlantic maritime access (blue), yet the canton's inclusion denoted ongoing French suzerainty and the transitional nature of autonomy.[14] This design, lacking indigenous motifs or emblems, highlighted the imposed colonial framework even amid decolonization pressures.[16] The 1959 flag flew until 9 August 1960, when it was revised by equalizing stripe widths and removing the French canton in anticipation of full independence on 17 August 1960, marking the end of pre-independence vexillology.[17][13] Throughout the colonial era, the absence of Gabon-specific elements in flags emphasized administrative subordination rather than cultural or political distinctiveness.[18]Adoption Upon Independence
Gabon proclaimed independence from France on August 17, 1960, following agreements signed in Paris on July 12, 1960, that facilitated the transfer of power.[19] The national flag, initially designed in 1959 during the period of autonomy within the French Union, featured horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and blue with a narrower central yellow band and the French tricolor in the canton to denote colonial status.[17] On August 9, 1960—just eight days before independence—Law No. 54/60 modified this design by eliminating the French tricolor canton and widening the yellow stripe to achieve equal proportions among the three horizontal bands (in a 3:4 ratio overall).[2] This alteration directly severed visual ties to French colonial authority, empirically prioritizing national sovereignty through the removal of the imperial emblem while preserving the tricolor stripe structure for continuity and recognition.[20] The decree specified colors as light Irish green, golden yellow, and royal blue, reflecting practical choices suited to Gabon's equatorial environment and maritime position.[2] Adopted under the provisional government led by Léon M'ba, who assumed the presidency on independence day, the flag embodied elite-driven nationalism amid the broader wave of decolonization in French Equatorial Africa.[21] Equal stripe widths avoided any implied hierarchy reminiscent of colonial flags, instead signaling unified territorial integrity across Gabon's forested interior, equatorial belt, and Atlantic coast.[17] The design drew from pan-African motifs, with green, yellow, and blue evoking natural resources and geography, though its primary causal intent was to assert independence without radical departure from established territorial symbolism.[16]1963 Design Revision
On August 9, 1960, shortly before Gabon's independence from France, Law No. 54/60 modified the national flag by eliminating the French tricolour canton from the hoist side and expanding the central yellow stripe from approximately one-sixth of the flag's height to one-third, creating three equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, and blue.[6][17] This revision, enacted under the leadership of Prime Minister Léon M'ba, replaced the pre-independence design (adopted June 29, 1959) that retained colonial elements alongside the emerging national colors.[17] The primary intent was to sever visual ties to French colonial authority, thereby reinforcing Gabonese sovereignty and national identity in the post-colonial era.[6] The updated proportions—maintaining a 3:4 hoist-to-fly ratio—have remained unchanged since, serving as the standard for all official and state usages without subsequent alterations.[2] This adjustment distinctly differentiated the flag from prior versions associated with French Equatorial Africa, promoting a cleaner assertion of independence.[17]Usage Through Political Changes
The national flag of Gabon maintained unbroken usage during the Bongo family's extended governance from 1967 to 2023, embodying institutional continuity under Omar Bongo's presidency (1967–2009) and his son Ali Bongo's subsequent rule (2009–2023), even as the regime faced accusations of authoritarian consolidation and electoral irregularities.[22][23] No modifications to the flag's design or official protocols occurred, with it serving as a fixture in state ceremonies, public displays, and diplomatic representations throughout this period.[6] Following the military coup on August 30, 2023, which deposed Ali Bongo hours after the announcement of his disputed electoral victory, the flag persisted without alteration under the Transitional Committee led by General Brice Oligui Nguema. Celebratory gatherings in Libreville and other areas featured widespread waving of the tricolor by coup supporters, signaling its endorsement by the new authorities.[24][25] The African Union promptly suspended Gabon's membership on August 31, 2023, due to the unconstitutional change, but lifted the suspension on May 1, 2025, after transition milestones including a new constitution and elections; the flag was subsequently flown at AU events and international forums, affirming its role as an unaltered emblem of state legitimacy.[26][27] This continuity reflects the flag's detachment from regime-specific symbolism, as no substantive challenges to its form arose amid the 2023 upheaval or subsequent transition, despite broader critiques of Gabon's resource-dependent economy and governance failures under prior leadership.[28] The transitional government's adherence to existing flag protocols, including in military and civilian contexts, underscores empirical stability in national iconography across political ruptures.[29]Official Variant Flags
Presidential Standard
The Presidential Standard of Gabon features a dark blue field with the full national coat of arms centered on it, in proportions of 3:5.[30] The coat of arms includes a shield displaying crossed agricultural tools—an axe and hoe—overlaid on a green section symbolizing the equatorial forests, a black panther emblematic of the nation's wildlife and defensive posture, and a lower black field with a silver star denoting guidance and maritime orientation, all framed by mantling and supporters that emphasize resource extraction and national sovereignty.[30] These elements underscore Gabon's economic dependence on timber, manganese, and oil industries, reflecting a pragmatic acknowledgment of extractive capabilities rather than unsubstantiated ideals of universal equity.[30] Introduced shortly after independence from France on August 17, 1960, the standard initially differed from the current design, evolving through phases under successive presidents.[30] From 1960 to 1990, it comprised a green field with yellow circles and a galleon motif, transitioning post-1990 to the national tricolour augmented by a white disk enclosing the arms, before settling into the dark blue format with the complete heraldic achievement by the early 21st century during Omar Bongo's tenure (1967–2009) and persisting under Ali Bongo (2009–2023).[30] Following the August 30, 2023, coup that installed Brice Oligui Nguema as transitional president—later confirmed in the April 2025 election—the standard remained in use without documented alteration, as evidenced by official imagery.[31] As the personal ensign of the head of state, the flag is hoisted at the Palais présidentiel in Libreville, atop official vehicles during processions, and at diplomatic events abroad to signify executive authority and the president's physical presence.[30] Its distinct blue field differentiates it from the national flag, reserving it exclusively for presidential contexts and reinforcing hierarchical command in Gabon's centralized governance structure, where resource control has historically concentrated under the executive.[30]Naval and Military Ensigns
The naval ensign of Gabon consists of the national tricolour flag, flown at the stern of warships to denote nationality. This plain design reflects the modest scale of the Gabonese Navy, which maintains a fleet limited to several patrol boats and fast attack craft for maritime security along the 885-kilometer coastline. The navy, established in December 1960 as part of the armed forces, prioritizes coastal defense over blue-water capabilities, with no reported expansions necessitating distinct ensign modifications as of 2025.[32] A separate naval jack, white with the horizontal tricolour stripes at the hoist and the naval emblem—a spread-winged eagle clutching a scepter, overlaid on an anchor and parachute—in the fly, is hoisted at the bow of vessels in port.[33] This jack serves ceremonial purposes and distinguishes naval ships during dress ship events, substituting for masthead pennants. For land and air forces, military ensigns generally adhere to the national flag, adapted with branch-specific markings. The Gabonese Air Force employs a fin flash approximating the national tricolour in a 10:13 rectangular proportion on aircraft tails, alongside a roundel of concentric blue, yellow, and green circles for fuselage identification. Army units hoist the national flag at bases and vehicles, without unique ensign variants documented in official protocols. A general armed forces flag, white with a square national tricolour canton, the forces badge (sword, anchor, star, axes, and wings) in the upper fly, and five golden stars arrayed below, may denote high command or joint operations. These designs have remained consistent through political transitions, including the 2023 coup, underscoring flag stability amid resource-constrained defense priorities.[32]Civil Ensign and Other State Variants
The civil ensign of Gabon is the plain national tricolour flag, utilized by merchant vessels to denote the ship's registry without any military or state emblems superimposed. This design adheres to international maritime conventions, where civilian shipping employs the unmodified national flag as its ensign, distinguishing it from the naval ensign that features additional insignia such as anchors or service-specific devices.[34][35] Other state variants for civilian administrative use remain limited, with the national flag serving as the default for non-presidential government entities, diplomatic representations abroad, and official events lacking specialized heraldry. This paucity of distinct civil state flags reflects Gabon's unitary administrative framework, where flag protocol emphasizes the tricolour's uniformity across civilian domains to symbolize national cohesion under centralized authority. In multi-flag displays, such as at government buildings or ceremonies, the civil ensign or national flag is subordinated to the presidential standard in vertical or horizontal arrangements, per established precedence rules observed since independence in 1960.[34]Subnational and Cultural Flags
Provincial Flags
Gabon comprises nine provinces, each with a flag featuring the provincial coat of arms centered on a plain white field. This design emphasizes heraldic symbolism derived from local geography, resources, and cultural elements—such as rivers, forests, wildlife, or ethnic motifs—while maintaining simplicity and uniformity across regions. The white background signifies purity and unity under the national framework, avoiding divergence from the Gabonese tricolour to underscore centralized authority.[36][37] These flags serve administrative purposes in provincial governance, flown at local offices and events, but their adoption and use align with Gabon's unitary state structure, where provinces lack substantial legislative powers and governors are centrally appointed.[36] The coats of arms, often including elements like the Ogooué River's wavy lines for riverine provinces or indigenous fauna for forested ones, nod to ethnic and ecological diversity without promoting separatist identities.[38] The provinces and their flag elements include:- Estuaire Province: Coat of arms with a ship and palm trees, evoking the coastal capital Libreville.
- Haut-Ogooué Province: Features mining symbols and the Ogooué River, reflecting resource extraction.
- Moyen-Ogooué Province: Depicts a wavy blue fess for the river and three green hills, covering about four-fifths of the flag's height.[37]
- Ngounié Province: Incorporates forest motifs and local fauna.
- Nyanga Province: Includes southern landscape elements like mountains.
- Ogooué-Ivindo Province: Shows ivory and timber references.
- Ogooué-Lolo Province: Riverine and agricultural symbols.
- Ogooué-Maritime Province: Maritime icons with coastal waves.
- Woleu-Ntem Province: Northern border motifs with equatorial forest emblems.
Municipal Flags
The flag of Libreville, Gabon's capital and largest municipality, features a white field with the city's coat of arms centered, depicting two sea lions supporting the national flag of Gabon to symbolize its roles as the primary port and administrative hub.[39] Two variants exist: one without additional text and another incorporating inscription, though official adoption details remain undocumented in available records. This design diverges from the national tricolor, emphasizing civic heraldry over provincial or ethnic motifs. For other major cities, such as Port-Gentil—the economic center driven by petroleum and timber industries—no distinct municipal flags are documented in vexillological sources, with localities relying instead on the national flag or provincial variants for representation.[2] Similarly, cities like Franceville and Oyem lack verified municipal ensigns, reflecting limited formal vexillographic tradition at the urban level amid Gabon's centralized administrative structure. Municipal flags, where present, primarily appear in local ceremonies, civic displays, and infrastructure-related events, underscoring urban disparities: Libreville's established symbol aligns with its developed status as the political core, while secondary cities exhibit less heraldic distinction, often mirroring national symbols due to resource constraints in flag design and adoption.[39] This pattern highlights how municipal identity in Gabon integrates with broader state symbolism rather than independent civic innovation.Ethnic Group Flags
Gabon's more than 40 ethnic groups, predominantly Bantu-speaking peoples such as the Fang, Myene, Kota, and Punu, do not maintain officially recognized or standardized flags.[11] The Fang, the largest group at about 30% of the population, incorporate traditional symbols like the mvet harp-lute and ngil masks into ceremonial practices, but these are not adapted into flag formats for group identification.[11] Similarly, other Bantu subgroups rely on artifacts, totems, and oral histories for cultural expression, with no documented vexilla predating or paralleling the national flag's 1960 adoption. This pattern reflects a post-colonial emphasis on centralized national symbolism, where the tricolor supplants potential ethnic banners to foster unity amid diversity and avert separatist incentives. Informal tribal motifs occasionally appear in local rituals or political rallies, but their sporadic, non-uniform use—often as banners or cloths bearing clan icons—lacks institutional backing and remains marginal compared to state ensigns. Such limited ethnic flag-like displays have not escalated into recognized traditions, aligning with Gabon's avoidance of federated ethnic autonomies that could exacerbate intergroup rivalries observed in neighboring states.[2]Historical Flags
Colonial Era Flags
During the bulk of the French colonial administration over Gabon, from its establishment as a protectorate in 1885 through the formation of French Equatorial Africa in 1910 and until 1959, the sole official flag was the national flag of France, a vertical tricolour of blue, white, and red in proportions 2:3.[18] This imposed uniformity reflected French policy against permitting distinct colonial symbols that could foster local nationalism or autonomy.[16] No evidence exists of indigenous or territory-specific designs during this era, as French authorities prohibited such developments to maintain centralized control.[6] In the late colonial phase, following constitutional reforms granting limited self-governance, Gabon adopted a provisional flag on 29 June 1959 as an autonomous republic within the French Community. This design featured three horizontal stripes—green (top), narrow yellow (center), and blue (bottom)—in approximate proportions of 5:2:5, with the French tricolour superimposed in the canton, typically over the green stripe near the hoist.[17] The symbolism assigned to the stripes—green for forests, yellow for the Equator, and blue for the Atlantic—anticipated post-independence motifs, though the flag remained a colonial variant until independence on 17 August 1960.[17] Variants in tricolour placement or stripe ratios appear in some attestations, but the core design per official decree emphasized continuity with French oversight.[17]Transitional and Proposed Designs
The flag initially adopted by Gabon on 29 June 1959, as the territory prepared for self-governance within the French Community, featured three horizontal stripes of green (top), yellow (center), and blue (bottom), with the French tricolour in the upper hoist canton.[14][17] The proportions specified green and blue each at 5/12 of the hoist width, and the central yellow stripe at 2/12, reflecting symbolism of the green equatorial forests, yellow Equator, and blue Atlantic coast.[17][14] Minor variants in depictions included the tricolour overlaying part of the yellow stripe or positioned solely over the green band, though the standard design retained the canton placement.[17] This design served as Gabon's provisional emblem until its modification on 9 August 1960, eight days before independence from France on 17 August 1960.[6][17] The update removed the French tricolour entirely and expanded the yellow stripe to equal width with the green and blue bands, establishing the 1:1:1 horizontal tricolour in a 3:4 ratio that has defined the national flag since adoption.[6][17] The change symbolized full sovereignty while preserving the core colors and equatorial motif, with no further official alterations proposed or enacted.[6][2]References
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_President_of_Gabon.svg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pavillon_de_la_Marine_Nationale_du_Gabon.gif