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Swaziland

Kingdom of Swaziland (Umbuso wakaNgwane)

Last modified: 2005-10-22 by bruce berry
Keywords: swaziland | elephant | ngwane |
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[Swaziland][Variant] 2:3~ Flag adopted: 6 October 1968

See also:

Flag description

The flag is rectangular, and its colours are red, blue and yellow. Each of these colours has a meaning:
Red stands for the battles of the past
Blue stands for peace and stability
Yellow stands for the resources the has
The flag also has a picture of a shield and spear. These two symbols stand for protection of our country from enemies. The shield is black and white to show that black and white people live together peacefully in Swaziland.
Source: this website.

The flag was officially hoisted on 30 Oct 1967. It was based on the flag, granted by King Sobhuza II to the Emasotsha Regiment in 1941. This flag, amended slightly, was hoisted on 25 Apr 1967 when the British Union flag was hauled down. The blood red color is the symbol of past struggles; yellow points at prosperity by the richness in minerals; blue is the colour of peace.
Source: Pedersen, "Moussault's Lexicon van vlaggen en wapens", 1980 [ped80].

Hoisted for the first time on 25 Apr 1967 on the occasion of the pledge of the oath by King Sobhuza II; after registration with the London Herald on 30 Oct 1967 was adopted in a slightly different form. It is based on the flag granted by the King to the Swazi Pioneer Corps of the Second World War in 1941. The Swazi ox hide-shield belongs to the Emasotsha Regiment.
Source: Rabbow, "DTV-lexikon politischer Symbole", 1970 [rab70].
Jarig Bakker, 2 Mar 2001

National Flag. -SW/--- 2:3
The construction details for the stripes are given as 3+1+8+1+3. Colours are approximated to darker shades then we have on FOTW.  Pantone approximations are given in Album as:
blue 293c - yellow 116c - red 201c.
Is there any prohibition/restriction of  use of the civic flag by general population?
Željko Heimer, 1 Feb 2003

I only have a partial text of Act No. 36 of 1968 which established the flag. It does confirm the stripes as 3 mid-blue, 1 yellow, 8 crimson, 1 yellow, 3 mid-blue.  These were originally regulated according to the now redundant British Admiralty System as:  Black T11, White T819, Crimson T816, Yellow T820 and Blue R813.
According to the official model I have on file, the Pantone colours given in the Album are too dark (and the ones illustrated by FOTW too light).  I will forward my own suggestions tomorrow (after checking in daylight).
Civil use of the flag:  The text I have makes no reference whatever to civil use of the flag (or otherwise).
Christopher Southworth, 1 Feb 2003


Coat of Arms

[Swaziland Coat of Arms] image from Ralf Hartemink's website.

The National Arms
The two supporters are the symbols of power for the King (lion) and the Queen-mother (elephant). The shield is a typical Nguni shield used in the country. The weapons on the shield are typical local weapons. The colour of the shield is derived from the King's own regiment. Siyinqaba means: We are the fortress/"We are a tower of strength".
Ralf Hartemink, 14 Jan 2002