17 Red & Yellow Flags (& Their Meanings)

Discover the places that have red and yellow flags

Co-authored by Haitham Kuraishi and Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA

Last Updated: April 1, 2026 Fact Checked

Are you wondering what countries have red and yellow flags? Many places across the globe have these colors in their flags, and they hold special significance. In this article, with the help of global flag experts, we'll share the countries and regions with red and yellow flags and dig into the meaning behind them. Plus, we'll explain how red and yellow flags are used for other purposes.

Where can you find red and yellow flags?

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An illustration of red and yellow flags of different places around the world.

Different countries and regions worldwide have used the colors red and yellow to symbolize things like their history, pride, and beliefs. Some of the most well-known red and yellow flags belong to Spain, China, Vietnam, North Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, and Montenegro.

1

Spain

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Spain’s flag has horizontal red and yellow bands with a coat of arms. King Charles III chose the colors because he wanted Spain to have a flag that was different from other countries. It’s been the country’s official flag since 1785. The emblem features a lion, gold shield, Pillars of Hercules, and a crown to represent the Spanish monarchy.^{[1]
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Haitham Kuraishi is a historian and global flag expert who creates content on topics like maps, travel, and geography for his more than 182K TikTok followers.

Thanos Sekeris is a global flag expert who goes by FlagFluencer online. He shares his passion for flags on his blog and on Instagram.

2

China

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The flag of China is red with five yellow stars in the upper left corner. Red represents the revolutionary communist philosophy of China and is also the color of the Han, the country’s largest Chinese ethnic group. Five is an important number in Chinese symbolism and is linked to the Five Classics, Five Elements, Five Rulers, and Five Virtues. The big star stands for China as a country, and the four smaller stars surrounding it are the country’s minorities.^{[2]
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3

Vietnam

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The Vietnam flag is red with a big yellow star in the center. The red signifies the uprising of the country’s people against the French colonial government.^{[3]
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Research source} According to historian and global flag expert Haitham Kuraishi, “red is a very popular color to describe independence movements or freedom, especially being a sign of the blood of those who fought for independence through a country's revolution.”^{[4]
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Haitham Kuraishi
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- The five-pointed yellow star represents the main classes of society in Vietnam.^{[5]
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4

North Macedonia

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North Macedonia’s flag has a red background with a yellow disk and rays. The yellow design is referred to as a “starburst” and “golden sun.” The starburst shape traces back to Alexander the Great and his father, Philip II, who used it to symbolize their dynasty. This star shape is mentioned in the country’s national anthem and shows up in its current coat of arms.^{[6]
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5

Kyrgyzstan

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The flag of Kyrgyzstan is red with a yellow sun disk in the middle. The design in the center is a drawing of the roof of a yurt, which was the type of home that the Kyrgyz people used to live in. The sun that’s around the central image has forty rays and signifies the forty tribes of the land. The red stands for the resilience and strength of the country in times of adversity.^{[7]
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6

Montenegro

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The flag of Montenegro is red with a yellow border and coat of arms in the middle. The country adopted their flag in 2004. The design was inspired by an old royal banner. The illustration in the center features a double-head eagle with a shield bearing a lion. This was the emblem of the Njegoš dynasty, which once ruled Montenegro.^{[8]
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7

New Mexico, United States

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New Mexico’s flag is yellow with a red cross. The red emblem is an ancient sun symbol called “Zia,” which is connected to the Zia Pueblo. It’s situated amid a yellow field. Four points extend out from the circle, representing the four seasons and the four stages of life. Four is a sacred number to the Zia people. The state flag is symbolic of the indigenous people of the land.^{[9]
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- The red and yellow colors are also linked to Isabel I, Queen of Castile, and the Spanish conquistadors.

8

Warsaw, Poland

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Warsaw’s flag consists of one yellow and one red horizontal band. It became official in 1991, although the design had been in use since 1938. The colors are inspired by the city’s coat of arms, which has a blonde mermaid holding a golden sword against a red background and a gold crown above her. In some instances, the city flys the flag with the coat of arms.^{[10]
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9

Andrychów, Poland

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Andrychów’s flag is half red and half yellow with a coat of arms. It shares a lot of similarities with the flag of Warsaw. The central emblem has the letters “A” and “S” intertwined on it. Some speculate that the letters stand for “St. Andrew,” the city’s name.^{[11]
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Research source} It’s also been said that letters are for “Stanisław Ankwicz,” who granted the town privileges in 1768.^{[12]
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10

Azuay, Ecuador

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The flag of Azuay consists of one red and one yellow horizontal stripe. Azuay is a province in Ecuador that was established in 1824, and their flag became official in 1994.^{[13]
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Research source} While not much is known about the region’s flag, Kuraishi offers some insight into the possible interpretation of the flag’s incorporation of the color yellow. He says that South American countries often use yellow in their flags to “symbolize mineral wealth."^{[14]
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Haitham Kuraishi
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11

Chuvashia, Russia

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The flag of Chuvashia is yellow with a red Tree of Life illustration. Around the tree are three suns, which are an ancient Chuvash symbol. The flag was adopted in 1992 and commemorates the region being autonomous since 1920. Many Chuvash people believe they are part of one of the oldest societies in the world and take a lot of pride in their flag.^{[15]
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12

Liège, Belgium

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The flag of Liège is predominantly red and yellow with various designs. The coat of arms is in the upper left corner and features the Perron of Liège, which is a civic monument in the city’s centre. On either side of it are the letters “L” and “G.” Below this emblem are three green lions, and in the bottom center are three horns. The flag is not official, but it’s accepted as a representation of the city.^{[16]
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13

Scania, Sweden

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The flag of Scania is red with a yellow cross. The province is located in the southernmost part of Sweden. The red represents Denmark and the yellow represents Sweden, and together they signify the complex history of the region. There are different explanations surrounding the flag. For some, it’s a reminder of what used to be Eastern Denmark. Others connect the presence of the cross to the Christian religion that dominates the area. Despite the various interpretations, it’s become a symbol of the Scania people’s cultural pride.^{[17]
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14

Taichung, Taiwan

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The flag of Taichung was yellow with red traditional Chinese characters. The characters stood for “Taichung City.” This version had been in use since 1945, but after eighty years, the city has a new flag that was introduced in 2025. The old design was unpopular with many people, so it was finally decided to update the appearance.^{[18]
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15

Emirate of 'Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

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The Emirate of 'Ha'il flag was red with a yellow crescent and star. It was used to represent the Emirate of Haʾil, also known as the Emirate of Jabal Shammar, from 1835 to 1920.^{[19]
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Research source} Not much has been recorded about the symbolism behind the flag. Global flag expert Thanos Sekeris gives some context about the possible meaning behind the color red. He explains that “usually red has to do with some sort of revolution, some sort of war where many people lost their lives fighting for the country's freedom.”^{[20]
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Thanos Sekeris
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16

Ilkhanate

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The Ilkhanate flag is yellow with a red square. The Ilkhanate was part of the Mongol Empire between 1256 and 1335. The flag represents the legacy of a dynasty and its rich cultural heritage. The colors symbolize pride, unity, and resilience.^{[21]
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Research source} The Ilkhanate are credited with strengthening trade and culture exchange across the region, and their flag serves as a reminder of these contributions.^{[22]
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17

Beach Flags

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Beach flags commonly incorporate yellow and red for safety reasons. These flags are used worldwide. Red and yellow flags let people know that the area is supervised by lifeguards. Certain colors are used to denote various hazard levels. For instance, red indicates a high hazard level, while yellow indicates a medium hazard level.^{[23]
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