Asia · UZ / UZB
Flag of Uzbekistan
The Uzbekistan flag has three horizontal bands of blue, white and green, separated by thin red lines. A white crescent and twelve white stars sit in the upper hoist corner. It was adopted on 18 November 1991, shortly after independence from the Soviet Union.
What the flag of Uzbekistan looks like
The national flag of Uzbekistan is a horizontal tricolor with a width-to-height ratio of 1:2. The top band is blue, the middle band is white and the bottom band is green. Narrow red lines, known as fimbriations, run between the three bands, so the white stripe is edged in red on both sides.
In the blue band, near the hoist, is a white crescent that opens toward the fly. Next to it are twelve small white five-pointed stars arranged in three rows: three stars in the first row, four in the second and five in the third. The crescent and stars together read as a single emblem on the blue field.
The red lines are much thinner than the main bands, which is why the red covers only a few percent of the flag. You can see the design in small size in the Uzbekistan flag emoji, and you can get print-ready versions on the download page.
Uzbekistan flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#FFFFFFRGB
255, 255, 255CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0HEX
#308738RGB
48, 135, 56CMYK
64, 0, 59, 47HEX
#3081F7RGB
48, 129, 247CMYK
81, 48, 0, 3HEX
#EE162ERGB
238, 22, 46CMYK
0, 91, 81, 7Uzbekistan flag meaning and symbolism
The colors have no officially designated symbolism, but several interpretations exist. Blue is said to stand for the sky and clear water, and it is also the color of the Turkic peoples. White is the traditional Uzbek symbol of peace and good luck. Green stands for nature, new life and a good harvest. The thin red lines represent the power of life.
The crescent is connected with Uzbek historical imagery and is also read as a symbol of the birth of a new nation. The twelve stars are said to represent the provinces of the country, and also allude to Uzbek historical tradition and calendar, as well as the pursuit of perfection and the happiness of the Uzbek people in their homeland.
Because the meanings come from interpretation rather than a single legal text, you may see slightly different explanations in school books and on official websites.
History of the Uzbekistan flag
Before the 20th century, the lands of present-day Uzbekistan were ruled by several khanates and emirates, including Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand, each with its own banners. In the Soviet era, the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic used a flag derived from the flag of the Soviet Union, with a blue stripe, approved in 1952.
Uzbekistan declared independence on 1 September 1991. A contest for a new flag drew more than 200 submissions, and the winning design was approved on 18 November 1991 at an extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet of the republic. It has remained in use ever since, with no change to its basic design. Uzbekistan was the first of the newly independent Central Asian republics to choose a new flag. The coat of arms and the national anthem followed in 1992.
The Uzbek flag was one of several new flags that appeared in Central Asia in the early 1990s. If you want to compare it with those of its neighbors, see Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
Uzbekistan flag facts
| Country | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | November 18, 1991 |
| Proportions | 1:2 |
| Colors | #FFFFFF, #308738, #3081F7, #EE162E |
| Symbols | five-pointed star, crescent |
| Flag emoji | 🇺🇿 |
| Country code | UZ, UZB (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Tashkent |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population | 34,915,100 |
| Area | 448,978 km² |
| Currency | Uzbek som |
| National anthem | National Anthem of Uzbekistan |
Uzbekistan flag: frequently asked questions
Why does the Uzbekistan flag have 12 stars?
The twelve stars are said to represent the provinces of the country and to allude to Uzbek historical tradition and calendar. The crescent is read as a symbol of the birth of a new nation. There is no officially designated meaning.
What do the colors of the Uzbekistan flag mean?
Blue is said to stand for the sky and water, white for peace and good luck, and green for nature and new life. The thin red lines are said to represent the life force in every living being.
Did Uzbekistan change their flag?
Yes, once, when it left the Soviet Union. The Soviet-era flag of the Uzbek SSR was replaced by the current blue, white and green flag on 18 November 1991, and that design has not changed since.
Which country's flag is the Uzbekistan flag emoji?
The emoji shows the flag of Uzbekistan. It is displayed on most devices as the blue, white and green stripes with the crescent and stars in the upper left.
What is on the flag of Uzbekistan?
The flag has blue, white and green horizontal stripes separated by narrow red lines. In the top-left corner are a white crescent and twelve white stars in three rows of 3, 4 and 5.
What is the size of the Uzbekistan flag?
The width-to-length ratio is 1:2, and a standard flag measures 125 by 250 centimeters. The blue, white and green stripes are each 40 centimeters wide and the red lines between them are 2.5 centimeters wide.
How was the Uzbekistan flag chosen?
After Uzbekistan declared independence on 1 September 1991, a design contest drew more than 200 submissions. A commission evaluated them, and the winner was adopted on 18 November 1991. Uzbekistan was the first of the newly independent Central Asian republics to pick a new flag.
What did the Uzbek Soviet flag look like?
It was derived from the flag of the Soviet Union and approved in 1952. It was similar to the Soviet design but with a blue stripe one fifth of the width. The current flag replaced it in 1991 and was based on the former design.
