Rwanda’s National symbols

The National Flag The flag is composed of three colours; blue, yellow, green, the blue is double the width of the yellow and green with a golden-yellow 24-pointed sun in the upper fly corner. The diameter of the sun is listed as 0.125 of the width of the flag. The blue colour symbolizes happiness and peace. The Rwandan people must fight for peace which will bring them to durable economic development and happiness. The yellow colour symbolizes the economic development. The Rwandan people must settle to work so as to reach durable economic development. The green colour symbolizes the hope of prosperity.The sun and its rays of golden color: It symbolizes enlightenment The flag was designed by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo, a Rwandan artist and engineer and was launched on December 31st, 2001. The Coat of Arms The Coat of Arms consists of a green ring with a knot tied at the upper end of the ring. On the top is the inscription ‘Repubulika Y’U Rwanda’ and below is the National Motto ‘UBUMWE, UMURIMO, GUKUNDA IGIHUGU’ translated, ‘UNITY, WORK, PATRIOTISM.’ The other features of the Coat of Arms are the sun, sorghum and coffee, a basket, a cog wheel and two shields. The green ring and knot symbolize industrial development through hard work. The shields symbolize patriotism, defence of national sovereignty and integrity and justice. The center of the Rwandan Coat of Arms shows a traditional basket that symbolizes the gift of friendship among Rwandans. Sometimes, the Rwandan basket is given as present with successively smaller baskets inside. When given as a gift during a wedding, it is symbolic of family values and the promises kept within the house. Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk