Moldova’s flag is a vertical tricolour of blue, yellow, and red with the state arms—eagle, cross, scepter and olive branch, and the aurochs shield—centred in the yellow stripe. Adopted on 27 April 1990 ahead of independence (1991), it acknowledges cultural ties to Romania while asserting distinct statehood through the arms. Statutes specify 1:2 ratio, colour standards, state/civil use, and etiquette for public display and mourning.
The Republic of Moldova adopted a blue–yellow–red tricolour with arms on 27 April 1990 as the Soviet order waned. The choice balanced history and distinction: colours shared with Romania—reflecting medieval Moldavia and nineteenth‑century national movements—plus state arms to mark separate sovereignty.
Origins of the palette. In the Principality of Moldavia, banners varied, but by the nineteenth century the pan‑Romanian tricolour had become a political emblem of liberty, justice, and fraternity. In the late 1980s, as the Moldavian SSR debated language and identity, the tricolour re‑emerged in demonstrations and on parliament balconies.
Arms and meaning. Moldova’s arms place a golden eagle bearing a cross in its beak over a shield with an aurochs head flanked by star, rose, and crescent. The eagle’s talons grasp an olive branch and scepter, signifying peace and lawful authority. This armorial centre distinguishes the Moldovan flag from Romania’s plain tricolour while linking to the heraldry of historic Moldavia.
Law and protocol
Parliamentary acts set a 1:2 ratio, colour references, and usage: the flag must fly over parliament, presidency, ministries, courts, schools, and diplomatic missions. Civil flags may omit fringes and certain ceremonial features; state and military versions include full arms. Etiquette prescribes half‑masting for mourning and dignified retirement. Production and commercial use are licensed to preserve standards; defacement and misuse are penalized.
Continuity
since 1990. Although debates have surfaced about adopting the plain Romanian tricolour or altering proportions, legislators have retained the 1990 design. Minor refinements addressed digital colour values and reproducibility of the aurochs shield.
International use and education. Diplomatic missions display the flag beside host standards; Moldova’s participation in the UN (since 1992) and European institutions has normalized its presence abroad. Civics curricula teach the flag’s history and correct handling. The banner is ubiquitous on Independence Day (27 August) and at remembrance ceremonies, binding a young state to a deep historical narrative.
Thus Moldova’s flag—tricolour plus arms—states both kinship and distinction: a Romanian palette bearing a Moldovan emblem.