Zimbabwe National Symbols

The flag of Zimbabwe was accepted on 22 March 1980 and was first raised at the midnight on 17/18 April to mark independence. It has a gold Zimbabwe bird superimposed on a five pointed red star which is situated on a white triangle at the hoist of the flag.

The remainder of the flag consists of seven horizontal stripes which are all equal in width and from top to bottom they are green, gold(yellow), red, black, red, gold(yellow), and green. The stripes are separated from the white triangle by a thin black line.

Meanings of the colours on the flag are as follows:

• Green represents vegetation and agriculture.
• Yellow/Gold represents the country’s mineral wealth.
• Red represents the blood shed during the war of the liberation
• Black represents the black majority
• White triangle represents peace.
• Zimbabwe Bird represents the National Emblem.
• Red Star represents the nation’s aspirations.

The stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird is a national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of Zimbabwe , as well as on banknotes and coins such as the Zimbabwean dollar .

The famous soapstone bird carvings stood on walls and monoliths of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe built, it is believed, sometime between the 12th and 15th centuries by ancestors of the Shona. The ruins, which gave their name to modern Zimbabwe, cover some 1,800 acres (7.3 km)

Zimbabwe birds represent sacred or totemic animals of the Shona – the bateleur eagle (Shona: chapungu), which was held to be a messenger from Mwari (God) and the ancestors, or the fish eagle (hungwe) which it has been suggested was the original totem of the Shona.

The Coat of Arms of Zimbabwe was officially adopted by the President on September 12, 1981 under Statutory Instrument no.636 of September 1981, Armorial Bearings of Zimbabwe.

Meanings of the Court of Arms:

• The Kudu in the natural colours display a harmonious blend of black, white and brown which may be taken to symbolize the unity of purpose of the various ethnic groups which comprise the people of this country.
• The Earth mound bears the plants which gives food and clothing to the people.
• The motto reminds us of our need to maintain the desire for national unity and the will to work, in order to preserve freedom which we enjoy today.
• The green shield represents the fertility of our soil while the blue and white wavy lines symbolize the water whch brings prosperity.
• Great Zimbabwe stands for the historical heritage of the nation.
• The Riffle and Hoe symbolises the transition from war to peace.
• The wreath which is formed of twisted gold and green silk represents the mining and agricultural enterprise which protects our national economy.
• The Star is the ancient symbol of hope for the future tinctured red to remind us of the suffering of all our people and the need to avoid any recurrence of that suffering.
• The star bears the Great Zimbabwe bird which has become our distinctive national emblem.