Angola was one of the last African countries to gain independence from their colonisers (the Portuguese colony of Angola was founded in 1575) and finally gaining their independence in 1975.
The current Angola flag is heavily designed around the MPLA flag (popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). The MPLA fought Portuguese colonial rule and are now the ruling party in Angola. Their flag consists of red and black equally spaced horizontal striped with a communist star in the centre (the MPLA were originally supported by the Soviet Union). The current flag of Angola still displays the same red and black stripes, but the star has been replaced by a smaller five pointed star inside a half gear wheel crossed by a machete. The red colour on the flag is said to represent the blood shed during Angola’s independence, with the black symbolising Africa. In the central emblem, the gear represents industrial workers, the machete represents peasantry and the star symbolises socialism.
The flag of Angola is rather unpopular with some of the countries inhabitants; some dislike the similarities the central symbol on the flag has with the communist hammer and sickle emblem, others have grievances with the flags association with the MPLA, whilst others do not like the association the flag has with the countries violent and repressive past. In 2003 a new more optimistic design was proposed by the Angolan Parliament which displayed a sun design reminiscent of cave paintings found in Tchitundo-Hulu cave (an ancient cave famous for its historic cave paintings). The background displayed red, white and blue stripes which were very similar to those of the Costa Rica and North Korea flag, which was one of the main reasons the flag was not adopted.
The Flag Shop has a wide range of Angola flags for sale in various sizes, as well as bunting, hand wavers and table flags. As our customer reviews show, we are the most trusted and reliable Flag Seller in the UK, so if you are looking to buy an Angola flag look no further!
