The flag of Mali consists of three vertical stripes: green on the hoist side, yellow in the middle, and red on the fly side. Green represents the country's lush land and the hope for a prosperous future. Yellow symbolizes the country's wealth, resources, and the unity of its people. Red stands for the blood shed during the fight for independence and the courage of the Malian people. The flag was adopted on March 1, 1961, after Mali gained independence from France in 1960. Its design draws inspiration from Pan-African colors, which symbolize the unity and strength of African nations.