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Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Flag of Guyana.svg
Name The Golden Arrowhead
Use National flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion 3:5
Adopted 26 May 1966
Design A green field with the black-edged red isosceles triangle based on the hoist-side superimposed on the larger white-edged golden triangle, also based on the hoist-side, pointed toward the fly-side.
Designed by Whitney Smith
Naval Ensign of Guyana.svg
Use National ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion 1:2
Design An elongated version of the above.
Civil Air Ensign of Guyana.svg
Use Civil air ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion 7:11
Design British Civil Air Ensign combined with national flag of Guyana. May be flown at airports and from landed aircraft.
Flag of Guyana (construction sheet)
This drawing shows how the Guyanese flag is put together.

The flag of Guyana, often called The Golden Arrowhead, is the national flag of Guyana. It has been used since May 1966. This was when Guyana became an independent country. Before that, it was part of the United Kingdom.

An American flag expert named Whitney Smith designed the flag. (A vexillologist is someone who studies flags.) The flag's original design was changed a little. The College of Arms in the UK suggested adding the thin black and white lines. The flag's shape is 3 units tall for every 5 units wide.

The colors of the flag have special meanings:

Other Flags of Guyana

Besides the main national flag, Guyana also uses other flags. These flags are for specific purposes or groups.

Civil Air Ensign

The civil air ensign is a flag used by aircraft and airports. It looks like the British Civil Air Ensign. But it has the Guyanese national flag in its top left corner.

Naval Ensign

The naval ensign is a special flag for Guyana's navy. It is a longer version of the national flag. Its shape is 1 unit tall for every 2 units wide.

Historical Flags

When Guyana was part of the British Empire, it used different flags. Its main flag was a Blue Ensign. This flag had a blue background with a colonial badge on the right side. An unofficial red version was sometimes used at sea. The first colonial flag appeared in 1875. It was changed slightly in 1906 and again in 1955. Like all British Ensigns, these flags were also 1 unit tall for every 2 units wide.

  • Flag of British Guiana (1875–1906)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used from 1875 to 1906.

  • Flag of the Governor of British Guiana (1875-1906)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Governor's flag, 1875–1906.

  • Flag of British Guiana (1906-1919)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used from 1906 to 1919.

  • Flag of British Guiana (1919-1955)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used from 1919 to 1955.

  • Flag of the Governor of British Guiana (1906–1955)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Governor's flag, 1906–1955.

  • Flag of British Guiana (1955–1966)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag used from 1955 to 1966.

  • Flag of the Governor of British Guiana (1955-1966)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Governor's flag, 1955–1966.

  • Original Guyana Flag Proposal

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Whitney Smith's first idea for the flag in 1962.

Presidential Standards

A Presidential Standard is a special flag for the President of Guyana. It shows who the current president is. The first Presidential Standard was created on February 23, 1970. Each new president can choose to change the design of their standard. This means the flag changes to reflect their time in office.

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana 1970-1980

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Arthur Chung (1970–1980).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana (1980-1985) under President LFS Burnham

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Forbes Burnham (1980–1985).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana (1985-1992) under President H. Desmond Hoyte

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Hugh Desmond Hoyte (1985–1992).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana (1992-1997) under President Cheddi B. Jagan

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Cheddi B. Jagan (1992–1997).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana (1997-1999) under President Janet Jagan

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Janet Jagan (1997–1999).

  • Flag of Guyana (fringed)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Bharrat Jagdeo (1999–2011).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana - President Donald Ramotar

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Donald Ramotar (2011–2015).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana (President David Granger)

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President David A. Granger (2015–2020).

  • Presidential Standard of Guyana - President Irfaan Ali

    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag For President Mohamed Irfaan Ali (2020–present).

Joint Services Flags

The Joint Services are different groups that help keep Guyana safe. Each of these services has its own flag.

  • Flag of the Guyana Defence Force

    Flag of the Guyana Defence Force.

  • Flag of the Guyana Police Force (Headquarters)

    Flag of the Guyana Police Force.

  • Guyana Prison Service Flag

    Flag of the Guyana Prison Service.

  • Guyana Fire Service Flag

    Flag of the Guyana Fire Service.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bandera de Guyana para niños

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Flag of Guyana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.