Africa · Unique design
How to draw the flag of South Africa
The flag of South Africa is a green horizontal Y with a black hoist triangle, red above and blue below. It flies at a ratio of 2:3.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. South Africa flies at 2:3 — for every 3 units of width the flag is 2 tall. Sketch that rectangle first; a flag drawn too square is the fastest way to lose layout points.
- Block in the background. Fill the whole flag with green first, then build the rest on top of it. Working from the largest area to the smallest keeps the proportions honest.
- Add the yellow, black, white, red and blue. A one-of-a-kind layout. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
South Africa flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Green | #007A4D | rgb(0, 122, 77) |
| Yellow | #FFB612 | rgb(255, 182, 18) |
| Black | #000000 | rgb(0, 0, 0) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
| Red | #DE3831 | rgb(222, 56, 49) |
| Blue | #002395 | rgb(0, 35, 149) |
What the flag means
The Y-shaped pall converges the old and new colour traditions of the country into a single band.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the gold and white fimbriations that separate the green Y from the fields around it.
A trick for remembering it
Black triangle at the hoist, green Y outlined in gold above and white below, red on top, blue underneath.
Questions about the South Africa flag
What colours are on the flag of South Africa?
South Africa uses 6 colours: green (#007A4D), yellow (#FFB612), black (#000000), white (#FFFFFF), red (#DE3831), blue (#002395).
What are the proportions of the South Africa flag?
It flies at 2:3 (height to width). Drawing it at the wrong shape is one of the quickest ways to lose layout marks in the game.
What does the South Africa flag mean?
The Y-shaped pall converges the old and new colour traditions of the country into a single band.
How hard is the South Africa flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 4 out of 5. There is detailed artwork in the middle, which is worth only 10% of the score — get the colour blocks right first.
