Across continents, national flags capture geography, history and identity. While reds and blues dominate, darker tones like brown and black can signal soil, resources, cultural heritage or periods of struggle.
There are 12 countries with brown and black flags, ranging from Angola to Zimbabwe; for each country you’ll find below Flag (emoji),Colors & location,Meaning (max 15 words).
Do brown and black colors on flags have specific symbolism?
Often they do, but meanings vary: black commonly represents people, resilience or mourning, while brown usually evokes earth, agriculture or natural resources; each flag’s history gives the full context explained below.
How can I quickly compare these flags and their meanings?
Scan the list below where each entry shows a flag emoji, its Colors & location, and a brief Meaning (max 15 words) so you can spot similarities and differences at a glance.
Countries with Brown and Black Flags
| Country | Flag (emoji) | Colors & location | Meaning (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | 🇦🇴 | Black (top stripe), Brown (machete handle in emblem) | Black represents the African continent; the emblem represents workers and peasants. |
| Dominica | 🇩🇲 | Black (stripe in cross), Brown (tree trunks & canoe in emblem) | Black represents fertile soil and African heritage; emblem items represent local agriculture/history. |
| Ecuador | 🇪🇨 | Black (condor feathers in arms), Brown (ship’s hull in arms) | The condor symbolizes power and courage; the ship represents commerce and the nation’s first steamship. |
| Eswatini | 🇸🇿 | Black (shield markings), Brown (spear & staff shafts) | The black and white shield represents racial harmony; weapons signify protection for the state. |
| Fiji | 🇫🇯 | Black (text in arms), Brown (canoe & cacao pod in arms) | The canoe signifies commerce and tradition; the cacao pod represents an important historic crop. |
| Haiti | 🇭🇹 | Black (cannons in arms), Brown (palm tree trunk & drum in arms) | The weapons represent the will to defend freedom; the palm tree symbolizes independence. |
| Kenya | 🇰🇪 | Black (top stripe, shield), Brown (spear shafts) | The black stripe represents the people of Kenya; the spears symbolize defense of freedom. |
| Mexico | 🇲🇽 | Black (eagle feather details), Brown (eagle body, rock) | The eagle on the cactus is an Aztec legend about the founding of Tenochtitlan. |
| Mozambique | 🇲🇿 | Black (thin stripe, hoe in emblem), Brown (rifle stock in emblem) | Black represents the African continent; the rifle represents defense, the hoe represents agriculture. |
| Papua New Guinea | 🇵🇬 | Black (triangular field), Brown (bird’s body) | Black represents the people; the Raggiana bird-of-paradise is a unique national symbol. |
| South Sudan | 🇸🇸 | Black (top stripe), Brown (shield & spears in emblem) | Black represents the South Sudanese people; the shield and spears symbolize protection of the state. |
| Zimbabwe | 🇿🇼 | Black (stripe, rifle), Brown (rifle stock, hoe handle) | The black stripe represents the heritage of the majority; weapons represent the struggle for peace. |
Descriptions
Angola
The flag features two horizontal stripes, red over black, with a central emblem. The emblem includes a yellow cogwheel segment, star, and a machete with a distinct brown wooden handle.
Dominica
A green field is divided by a three-colored cross of yellow, black, and white. The central emblem features a Sisserou Parrot and a shield with brown-trunked trees and a canoe.
Ecuador
A tricolor of yellow, blue, and red is charged with the coat of arms. The arms feature a black-feathered condor perched atop a shield that displays a brown, wooden-hulled steamship.
Eswatini
The flag’s center features a large black and white ox-hide shield. Behind it lie two spears and a staff, all with brown wooden shafts, representing the monarchy’s authority and defense.
Fiji
This light blue ensign features the national coat of arms within a shield. The shield contains a brown traditional canoe and a brown cacao pod, with black text on the scroll below.
Haiti
A blue and red bicolor with the national coat of arms on a central white panel. The arms depict black cannons, a brown-trunked palm tree, and a brown drum on a green lawn.
Kenya
This tricolor flag has a broad black stripe at the top. The central Maasai shield, also containing black, is crossed by two spears with prominent brown wooden shafts representing defense.
Mexico
A green, white, and red tricolor with the coat of arms in the center. The arms depict a brown golden eagle with black feather accents, perched on a cactus on a brownish rock.
Mozambique
This flag has a thin black stripe fimbriated in white. The emblem features a black hoe and an AK-47 rifle with a distinct brown wooden stock, symbolizing vigilance and production.
Papua New Guinea
The flag is diagonally divided into a black triangle and a red triangle. The black portion contains the Southern Cross, while the red features a Raggiana bird-of-paradise with a brown body.
South Sudan
The flag includes a black horizontal stripe at the top. The central emblem is an African fish eagle in front of a traditional brown shield and two brown-shafted spears.
Zimbabwe
The flag has seven horizontal stripes, including a central black one. In a white triangle sits the Zimbabwe Bird atop a rifle and hoe, which have brown wooden stocks and handles.
