Africa · MU / MUS
Flag of Mauritius
The Mauritius flag, known locally as the Four Bands, has four equal horizontal stripes: red, blue, yellow and green from top to bottom. It was raised for the first time on independence day, 12 March 1968.
What the flag of Mauritius looks like
The national flag of Mauritius has a ratio of 2:3 and consists of four horizontal bands of the same height. From top to bottom they are red, blue, yellow and green. There is no emblem or other detail. In French the flag is called Les Quatre Bandes, and in English it is the "Four Bands".
The colors are bold and easy to tell apart at a distance.
Mauritius flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#D01C1FRGB
208, 28, 31CMYK
0, 87, 85, 18HEX
#008658RGB
0, 134, 88CMYK
100, 0, 34, 47HEX
#2D3359RGB
45, 51, 89CMYK
49, 43, 0, 65HEX
#F7B718RGB
247, 183, 24CMYK
0, 26, 90, 3Mauritius flag meaning and symbolism
Each of the colors has an official meaning:
- Red represents the struggle for freedom and independence.
- Blue stands for the Indian Ocean that surrounds the island.
- Yellow is the light of freedom shining over the island.
- Green stands for the island's agriculture and its green color throughout the 12 months of the year.
History of the Mauritius flag
Dutch sailors visited the island in 1598 and named it Mauritius after Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch left in 1710. France took control in 1715 and called it Isle de France, and the British captured the island in 1810 and it was confirmed as British territory in 1814. Under British rule the island flew a blue ensign with the Union Jack and a colonial badge on the right side.
The Four Bands flag was designed by Gurudutt Moher, a retired school teacher, and was recorded at the College of Arms in London on 9 January 1968. It was adopted on 12 March 1968, when Mauritius became independent. Mauritius became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1992, and the flag was kept without any change.
You can also see the Mauritius flag emoji or browse other flags of Africa.
Mauritius flag facts
| Country | Mauritius |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | March 12, 1968 |
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Colors | #D01C1F, #008658, #2D3359, #F7B718 |
| Flag emoji | 🇲🇺 |
| Country code | MU, MUS (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Port Louis |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population | 1,264,613 |
| Area | 2,040 km² |
| Currency | Mauritian rupee |
| National anthem | Motherland |
Mauritius flag: frequently asked questions
What is the flag of Mauritius called?
It is called the Four Bands (Les Quatre Bandes in French). The name refers to the four equal horizontal stripes of red, blue, yellow and green.
What do the colors of the Mauritius flag mean?
Red stands for the struggle for freedom, blue for the Indian Ocean, yellow for the light of freedom and green for agriculture and vegetation.
Was Mauritius a French or British colony?
Both. France held the island from 1715 to 1810 and the British ruled it from 1810 until independence in 1968. Both languages left their mark: English is the official language, French is widely spoken, and most people also use Mauritian Creole.
Does Mauritius belong to a country?
No. Mauritius is an independent country. It was a Dutch, then French, then British possession and became independent from Britain on 12 March 1968, the day the Four Bands flag was adopted. It has been a republic within the Commonwealth since 1992, and the flag has not changed.
