Flag of Mauritania
The Mauritania flag is green with a golden crescent and star in the center, and since 2017 it also has a red stripe along the top and bottom edges. The red stripes recall those who died resisting French colonial rule.
What the flag of Mauritania looks like
The flag of Mauritania has a green field, with a thin red band running along the upper edge and a matching red band along the lower edge. In the center, a golden-yellow crescent opens upward, and a golden five-pointed star sits in the curve of the crescent. Mauritania's flag is 2:3 in proportion.
Until 2017 the flag was plain green with only the crescent and star. The red bands are the only difference between the old and new designs. The flag is also used in small form as the Mauritania flag emoji.
Mauritania flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#00A95CRGB
0, 169, 92CMYK
100, 0, 46, 34 HEX
#D01C1FRGB
208, 28, 31CMYK
0, 87, 85, 18 HEX
#FFD700RGB
255, 215, 0CMYK
0, 16, 100, 0 Mauritania flag meaning and symbolism
Green and the crescent and star are the traditional symbols of Islam. The country's official name is the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and Islam is the state religion, so the green field and the crescent express the national identity. Green is also linked to hope and, in the Sahel and Sahara, to life and growth. Gold is often tied to the sand of the Sahara.
The green, yellow and red together are also pan-African colors, which fits Mauritania's place between North and sub-Saharan Africa. The red stripes added in 2017 have a specific meaning: they are said to honor the blood of the martyrs who died fighting French colonial rule and for the nation's independence. Before the change, the flag contained none of the colors red, white or blue, which set it apart from most national flags.
History of the Mauritania flag
Mauritania was part of French West Africa. As it moved toward self-government within the French Community, the territory adopted a green flag with a golden crescent and star in 1959. When Mauritania became independent from France on 28 November 1960, the flag was retained as the national flag. It was the only flag of the country for nearly 60 years.
In August 2017, a constitutional referendum approved a package of changes that included abolishing the Senate and changing the flag and the national anthem. The government said the new red stripes would honor the sacrifices made for independence. The amended flag was formally adopted on 15 August 2017, and it replaced the previous green flag across the country. Critics of the referendum, including opposition politicians, objected to the process, but the new flag has been used since. Mauritania's neighbors include Senegal, Mali and Algeria.
Mauritania flag facts
| Country | Mauritania |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | August 15, 2017 |
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Colors | #00A95C, #D01C1F, #FFD700 |
| Symbols | field, five-pointed star, crescent, star and crescent |
| Flag emoji | 🇲🇷 |
| Country code | MR, MRT (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Nouakchott |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population | 4,736,139 |
| Area | 1,030,700 km² |
| Currency | Mauritanian ouguiya |
| National anthem | National anthem of Mauritania |
Mauritania flag: frequently asked questions
Why did Mauritania change its flag in 2017?
A constitutional referendum in August 2017 approved adding two red stripes, said to honor those who died resisting French colonial rule, along with other changes such as the abolition of the Senate.
What does the Mauritania flag look like now?
It is green with a golden crescent and star in the middle and a red stripe on the top and bottom edges.
Is Mauritania an Arab country?
Mauritania is a member of the Arab League, and Arabic is its official language, but its population includes Arab-Berber Moors, Haratin and several sub-Saharan ethnic groups. It is both an Arab and an African country.
Are Mauritanians Muslims?
Yes. Nearly the whole population is Muslim, and Islam is the state religion. The crescent, the star and the green field on the flag reflect this.
What country did Mauritania used to be?
It was a French colony and part of French West Africa until independence on 28 November 1960. See more flags of Africa.
