Last modified: 2022-10-22 by bruce berry
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Article 2. L'embleme national est le drapeau tricolore, vert, jaune, rouge. De forme rectangulaire, il est composé de deux (2) triangles rectangles de couleur verte et rouge, sépars par une bande jaune en diagonale, le vert étant du côté de la hampe. La loi précise les dimensions, les tons des couleurs et les autres détails du drapeau. |
Article 2. The national emblem is a tricolor, green-yellow-red flag. Of rectangular shape, it is made of two (2) rectangle triangles, green and red, separated by a diagonal yellow stripe, the green triangle lying along the hoist. The law states the dimensions, the colour shades and the other details of the flag. |
Article 3. The national anthem is 'La Congolaise'. The motto of the Republic is 'Unite-Travail-Progress' (Unity-Labour-Progress). The seal of the State and the arms of the Republic are defined by law. The official language is French. The national common languages are Lingala and Munukutuba. The capital city of the Republic of Congo is Brazzaville. [...] |
I haven't located the law that "states the dimensions, the colour shades and
the other details of the flag" (if it exsists at all) on the Net.
L'Album gives ratio of the flags as 2:3~, while, e.g. Bartram's World Flag Database and
Shipmate Flag Chart have it 2:3 exactly. If we would have the mentioned law
we would know for sure, I guess...
However, even this unusual tricolour retains the main feature of a
tricolour - three stripes of equal area (symbolizing the equality).
This is aquired only with the requirement that the yellow stripe have
the horizontal edges equal to 1/3 of the total length.
In case that the flag is exactly 2:3, that would make the red and
green triangles not only rectangular (as required by Constitution)
but also isoscales.
Željko Heimer, 26 May 2001
The 1992 Constitution has been abolished in 1997 and replaced by a Fundamental Act. Its Article 2 says:
Article 2. L'emblème national de la République est le Drapeau tricolore, Vert, Jaune, Rouge - De forme rectangulaire, il est composé de deux triangles de couleur verte et rouge, séparés par une bande jaune en diagonale, le vert étant du côté de la hampe. L'hymne national est "La Congolaise". La devise de la République est "Unité - Travail - Progrès". La langue officielle est le français. Le sceau de l'État et les Armoiries sont définies par la loi. |
Article 2. The national emblem of the republic is the green, yellow, red tricolour. Of rectabgular shape, its made of two triangles, green and red separated by a yellow diagonal stripe, the green being on the hoist. The national anthem is "La Congolaise". The national motto is "Unité - Travail - Progrès". The official language is French. The state seal and the coat of arms are defined by Law. |
There is a newer Constitution for the Republic of the Congo. It is dated 20 January 2002 and reads as follows regarding the flag:
Title l, Article 5:
"The national emblem is a tricolour flag in green, yellow and red. In a rectangular form, it is composed of two regular triangles of green and red separated by a diagonal yellow stripe. The green part is next to the hoist.
The precise dimensions, colour shades and other details of the flag are prescribed by law."
I have been unable to locate any legislation regarding this flag (as referred to in the Constitution of 1992). I have, however, managed to obtain an official model. The model itself (containing no surprises) is unfortunately undated, but the accompanying letter from The Ministry of Information, Brazzaville is dated 2 December 1999 and shows a flag with a rising diagonal stripe contained entirely within the length of the flag and occupying one-third of that length. I have, of course, no way of confirming the accuracy of its colour reproduction, but when compared to my Pantone chart the nearest equivalents appear to be red 032, yellow 109 and green 354.
Christopher Southworth, 30 January 2005
Et s'il nous faut mourir en somme Qu'importe puisque nos enfants Partout pourront dire comme On triomphe en combattant Et dans le moindre village Chantent sous nos trois couleurs | And if we shall die Nevermind since our children Everywhere shall be able to say How we triumph in fighting And in the smallest village They sing under our three colours |