The Madagascar symbol is distinguished by its ancient history and resembles the banner of a completely different country. What values are embedded in the flags in each case and what do the other elements of the heraldry of this African country look like?
Modern look
The flag of Madagascar currently in use is distinguished by its traditional rectangular outlines with a ratio of length to width as two to one. It has three stripes, two horizontally and one vertically. The pole goes white. Horizontally located red and green, the first on top and the second below. Each color can be associated with historical events. The red and white flag of Madagascar recalls the kingdom of Merin, which was conquered by the French at the end of the nineteenth century and whose inhabitants were the largest ethnic group in the country. These colors were used by the last monarch, Queen of Ranavalon the Third. There is a theory that they are associated with the red-white panel of the Sunda archipelago. Green represents a tribe of Hovs, peasants, who played an important role in anti-government agitation and the liberation movement. The modern flag of Madagascar was adopted in October 1958.
Flag with identical colors
In world history, coincidences of symbolism are rare. But this is exactly what can be said about the flag of Madagascar and Belarus - they look very similar. The latter also uses three colors with a vertical white stripe and horizontal red above and green below. The difference lies in the size of the first - it occupies only one ninth of the banner. Width and length are in proportion to one to two. The red color on the banner is a symbol of the Battle of Grunwald, which became victorious for the Belarusians. It is also the banner of the Red Army, and the sign of partisan brigades. Green means spring, rebirth, hope, fields and forests. Located on white, the Belarusian ornament symbolizes the ancient folk culture and unity. It is interesting that Belarus is the only country from the USSR that did not abandon the former banner, but only changed it. The presence of the ornament makes it not one hundred percent similar to the flag of Madagascar, which avoids problems.
State emblem
To study the history of the country better, it is worth learning details about all the heraldic symbols that Madagascar uses. The flag and the coat of arms are of equal importance and are often used together. The emblem of Madagascar was officially approved in 1992, this happened after the fall of the socialist regime in the country . The national emblem is based on a yellow disk. In the center is a schematic map depicting the large island of Madagascar, along with two small ones. Under the figure is the head of the zebu, a national animal state that lives mainly on its territory. Green and red rays emanating from the disk give the rounded golden seal the appearance of the sun. The emblem also contains inscriptions, each of which is executed in the Malagasy language. The text "REPOBLIKAN'I MADAGASIKARA" means "Republic of Madagascar", and the phrase "TANINDRAZANA - FAHAFAHANA - FANDROSOANA" is the motto of the state. Translated into Russian, it sounds like "Homeland, Freedom, Development."