Asia · Hoist triangle
How to draw the flag of Timor-Leste
The flag of Timor-Leste is a triangle at the hoist over horizontal bands in red, black, yellow and white. It flies at a ratio of 1:2.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. Timor-Leste flies at 1:2 — for every 2 units of width the flag is 1 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 red first, then build the rest on top of it. Working from the largest area to the smallest keeps the proportions honest.
- Add the black, yellow and white. A triangle at the hoist over horizontal bands. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
- Finish with the white star. Detail is the last ten percent of the score, so leave it until the colour blocks are down. Size and position count for more than drawing every line of it.
Timor-Leste flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Red | #DA291C | rgb(218, 41, 28) |
| Black | #000000 | rgb(0, 0, 0) |
| Yellow | #FFC72C | rgb(255, 199, 44) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
What the flag means
A yellow triangle for the traces of colonialism, a black one for the obscurantism to be overcome, red for the struggle, and a white star for peace.
Common mistakes
- Drawing one triangle instead of two. The black triangle sits on top of a longer yellow one, both pointing toward the fly.
A trick for remembering it
Red field, yellow wedge, shorter black wedge on top of it, white star in the black.
Questions about the Timor-Leste flag
What colours are on the flag of Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste uses 4 colours: red (#DA291C), black (#000000), yellow (#FFC72C), white (#FFFFFF).
What are the proportions of the Timor-Leste flag?
It flies at 1:2 (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 Timor-Leste flag mean?
A yellow triangle for the traces of colonialism, a black one for the obscurantism to be overcome, red for the struggle, and a white star for peace.
How hard is the Timor-Leste flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 3 out of 5. The colours are simple; the arrangement is what catches people out.
