Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina facts for kids
The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a special symbol for the country. It has a bright blue background. On the right side, there is a wide vertical blue stripe. Next to this stripe, a large yellow triangle sits at the top. The rest of the flag is also blue. Along the edge of the yellow triangle, there are seven full white stars and two half stars. One half star is at the top, and the other is at the bottom.
The three points of the yellow triangle are very important. They represent the three main groups of people who live in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Bosniaks, the Croats, and the Serbs. The stars stand for Europe and are meant to be endless, symbolizing hope and unity.
Contents
What the Flag Looks Like
The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a unique design. It uses three main colors: blue, yellow, and white.
The Blue Background
The main part of the flag is a medium blue color. This blue is similar to the color used by the European Union. It shows Bosnia and Herzegovina's connection to Europe.
The Yellow Triangle
A large yellow triangle is a key part of the flag. It starts from the top right corner and goes down towards the center. The yellow color often represents the sun, bringing light and hope.
The White Stars
Along the edge of the yellow triangle, there are nine white stars. Seven of these stars are complete, while two are cut in half at the top and bottom. These stars stand for Europe. They are placed in a way that suggests they go on forever, symbolizing the country's future and its place in Europe.
Meaning Behind the Design
Every part of the flag has a special meaning. These meanings help tell the story of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Representing the People
The most important symbol is the yellow triangle. Its three points represent the three main ethnic groups living in the country. These are the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs. This design shows that all these groups are part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Symbol of Europe
The blue color and the stars are linked to the European Union. This shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the European family of nations. The stars also represent the idea of peace and unity.
History of the Flag
The current flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted in 1998. Before this, the country had different flags. The design was chosen through a competition. This was done to find a flag that could represent all the people in the country. It was important to have a flag that everyone could agree on after a difficult period.
Why a New Flag?
After the Bosnian War ended in 1995, there was a need for a new national symbol. The old flags were sometimes linked to only one group of people. The international community helped create a new flag. The goal was to find a design that did not favor any single ethnic group. This new flag was meant to be a symbol of unity and a fresh start for the country.
Choosing the Design
The design we see today was chosen because it was seen as neutral. It used colors and shapes that were not strongly tied to any one group. This helped create a flag that could be accepted by everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Images for kids
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Current and old flags of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with that of the army flying in front of the grave of Alija Izetbegović.
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A cemetery in Mostar flying the flag of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (left), the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina -
Vertical flag.
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See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Bosnia y Herzegovina para niños
