Botswana Flag PNG Images Transparent Background
The Botswana Flag is a national symbol of Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The flag is made up of three horizontal stripes – the top stripe is light blue, the middle stripe is black, and the bottom stripe is light blue. There is also a black vertical stripe on the left side of the flag which contains a white border and a white coloured image of a head of a bull elephant in the center of the black stripe. The Botswana Flag has a width-to-height ratio of 2:3.
Symbolism
The blue horizontal stripes represent water, which is a scarce resource in Botswana. The black horizontal stripe represents the people of Botswana who are mostly the black African Batswana people. The black vertical stripe is a tribute to the country’s diverse cultural heritage and is symbolic of its composition of various ethnic groups. The white elephant head in the center of the black stripe is an emblem of the country’s wildlife and conservation efforts as Botswana is home to a large population of elephants, approximately one-third of the total African elephant population. The elephant head is also a symbol of strength and wisdom.
History
The Botswana Flag was adopted on September 30, 1966, the same year the country gained independence from the British colonial rule. It was designed by designer Michael Scott-Scudder and it replaced the Union Jack (British Flag) which had been hoisted in the country during the colonial era. The colours of the flag have been interpreted differently by different people; some view the blue and black stripes as representing the sky and the people respectively, while others see them as representing rain and the coat of an ox, which also symbolizes cattle, the country’s commercial base, and the reliance of the people on livestock
The Botswana Flag is a unique national symbol that represents the country’s cultural heritage, wildlife, and conservation efforts. The colours and symbols incorporated into the flag have deep meanings and significance regarding the country and its people. The flag is a symbol of pride and unity among the Batswana people and is used to represent the country in various international events and forums.