|
A bloodless military coup in 1986 ended the only government that had ruled the mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho, formerly the British protectorate of Basutoland, since its independence on the 4th of October 1966.
On the 20th of January 1987, the current national flag was adopted replacing the flag originally adopted at independence.
The new design included fundamental elements of the original flag, maintaining the symbolic use of the
national motto from the country's coat of arms: Khotso-Pula-Nala, which means Peace-Rain-Plenty.
The emblem on the flag is a stylised version of the shield appearing on the
national coat of arms. |
|
The colours of the flag recall the national motto: Khotso-Pula-Nala (Peace-Rain-Plenty).
The upper white field represents peace, the blue symbolises rain and water, while green connotes the country’s fertile agricultural land or plenty.
In the white section of the flag is a shield, supported by a spear on the left, a bludgeon on the right and a plumed spine in the centre. Together they symbolise Lesotho’s willingness to defend its independence. |
