Sierra Leone’s flag, adopted on 27 April 1961 at independence, consists of three equal horizontal bands of green, white, and blue in a 2:3 ratio. Green represents agriculture and the mountains; white stands for unity and justice; blue symbolizes the natural harbour of Freetown and the sea. Statutes regulate proportions and respectful display across state institutions and missions abroad.
The flag of Sierra Leone was proclaimed on 27 April 1961, the day the country attained independence from the United Kingdom. The simple tricolour—green, white, blue—was selected to capture geography, civic ideals, and the maritime identity of the capital.
Green, placed uppermost, represents agriculture, the forested hills, and the nation’s natural wealth. White, in the centre, symbolises unity and justice—virtues integral to the constitutional order. Blue, at the base, signifies the deep natural harbour of Freetown and the surrounding Atlantic, a maritime asset central to history and trade. The palette and order yield high contrast and clear symbolism in public education.
A 2:3 ratio and equal band widths are standardised. Colour references are fixed to ensure manufacturing consistency. Protocol covers precedence with foreign flags, half‑masting at national mourning, nocturnal illumination, and dignified retirement of worn flags. Misuse is penalised by law.
The design has remained unchanged since 1961. It appears on ministries, schools, ships under appropriate registration, and missions abroad. Derived standards for the president and armed forces add insignia without altering the national tricolour. The flag’s clarity makes it readily recognisable among the family of West African banners.