🇱🇹 The colours of Lithuania

Lithuania's flag shows three horizontal stripes: yellow, green, and red. Yellow stands for the sun and prosperity, green for the land, freedom, and hope, and red for sacrifice and courage. These colours, drawn from folk traditions, became official symbols of national identity after independence.

Where no official value is given, the swatch shows the colour family, not the exact shade.

• The flag’s colours come from folk costumes and weaving.
• Yellow symbolises the sun and prosperity.
• Green stands for Lithuania’s forests and hope.
• Red recalls those who died for the country.
• The tricolour was restored in 1988 after Soviet rule.

The colours of the flag of Lithuania

Lithuania’s flag is made of three horizontal bands: yellow at the top, green in the centre, and red at the bottom. Each colour has an official meaning. Yellow is for the sun and the idea of prosperity. Green represents the country’s forests, rural landscapes, freedom, and hope. Red is linked to those who gave their lives for Lithuania and the courage shown in doing so. These meanings are set out in law and reflect national values.

How the colours were chosen of Lithuania

The earliest Lithuanian flags were red with a mounted knight or the Columns of Gediminas, used by the Grand Duchy’s army and nobility. The current tricolour was inspired by other European flags and folk art, with yellow, green, and red common in traditional textiles. The design was chosen in the early 20th century to mark a distinct Lithuanian identity, avoiding older symbols tied to the Grand Duchy and to revolutionary movements. The tricolour was first adopted in 1918, replaced during Soviet rule, and restored in 1988 as Lithuania moved towards independence.

Official shades and rules of Lithuania

Lithuania’s flag must have three equal horizontal stripes in yellow, green, and red, with a 3:5 width-to-length ratio since 2004. The colours are defined by Pantone codes in law. Flags must meet these colour and proportion standards, whether displayed horizontally or vertically. There are set rules for flag use, including how to display it during mourning and the order of precedence with other flags.