Chad’s flag, adopted on 6 November 1959, is a vertical tricolour of blue, yellow, and red. Blue stands for sky and hope, yellow the sun and desert, red for sacrifice and unity. Often compared with Romania’s tricolour, Chad uses a darker (indigo) blue; both states maintain their historic designs. Ratio 2:3; law regulates colours, construction, and protocols for display and half‑masting.
Chad proclaimed its national flag on 6 November 1959, months before independence in August 1960. The design is a vertical tricolour—blue nearest the hoist, then yellow, then red—reflecting francophone vexillological tradition while expressing national conditions and aspirations.
Blue symbolises the sky, southern waters, and hope. Yellow represents the sun and the northern Sahara’s sands. Red recalls the blood shed for freedom, patriotism, and unity. The palette’s clarity has made the tricolour a simple and effective emblem across a vast, diverse territory.
The flag’s resemblance to Romania’s, long noted by observers, arises from convergent adoption of a common European tricolour model. Chad typically specifies a darker, indigo‑leaning blue; both countries have retained their designs. International law recognises each state’s right to its emblem so long as fraud or misuse is not intended.
Specifications
fix a 2:3 ratio with equal bands and colour references for consistent manufacture. Protocol addresses precedence, half‑masting by decree, illumination at night, and dignified retirement; desecration and unauthorised commercial use are restricted.
Since independence the design has not changed, serving as a unifying symbol on ministries, schools, and missions abroad.