National Flag of the Moldova Republic (1990)

Formerly part of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) as the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Republic of Moldova moved toward secession from the USSR in mid-1990 and adopted its current flag on the 3rd of November 1990. 

The flag remained unaltered when Moldova gained formal independence in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Symbolic Meaning

The vertical striped blue-yellow-red tricolour is derived from the Romanian national flag and symbolises Moldova’s shared heritage with Romania.

Centrally placed on the yellow stripe is the coat of arms of Moldova. 

It consists of the eagle of Walachia holding an Orthodox Christian cross in its beak and an olive branch in one talon, with the sceptre of Michael the Brave of Walachia in the other. Walachia is an historic region of eastern Europe.

Placed on the eagle’s chest is the red and blue horizontally divided shield of Moldova, containing various traditional emblems surrounding a stylised aurochs (European bison) head.