National Flag of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (1966)

Guyana, formerly called Guiana and British Guiana, was a British governed colony from 1831 until independence was achieved on the 26th of May 1966.

On the same day independence was proclaimed, British Guiana changed its name to Guyana and adopted their current national flag; popularly known as the Golden Arrowhead.

The flag is based on a design submitted in 1960 to the then British Guiana government, by the eminent American vexillologist, Dr Whitney Smith.

The Symbolic Meaning

Green symbolises Guyana’s forests and vegetation, as well as its agriculture. 

The Golden Arrowhead (yellow) represents the country’s mineral wealth and its golden future. 

Red connotes Guyana’s eagerness and enthusiasm to embrace the nation-building process. 

White symbolises Guyana’s abundant water resources, while black connotes the perseverance and endurance of Guyana, which will sustain its forward thrust into the future.