Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The national flag of São Tomé and Príncipe is the official banner of the Africa country. It is flown on government buildings and used in international representation.

The design

The Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe is a national emblem rendered in the colours and proportions defined by the country’s flag law. Its official aspect ratio is 2:3, the height-to-length ratio that fixes how the flag should be cut and flown.

Symbolism & heraldry

The flag of São Tomé and Príncipe represents the country's national identity and historical heritage.

Heraldic elements on the Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe — bands, charges, emblems or stars — each carry meaning agreed at the moment of the flag’s adoption. Re-readings happen across generations: a colour or a symbol that began with one meaning often picks up further layers as the country’s history unfolds.

Adoption & history

Earlier banners flown by São Tomé and Príncipe reflected the politics of their day; each redesign typically marked a moment of independence, regime change or constitutional reform. The current flag was chosen, debated and codified through the country’s official channels and is now protected by flag law.

Etiquette & protocol

The Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe should be flown with respect: never allowed to touch the ground, never used as drapery for ceremonies it was not made for, and lowered or removed at sundown unless illuminated. When flown alongside other national flags, it takes precedence on home soil and is hoisted first and lowered last. On days of national mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast in line with directives from the head of state. These conventions are common to most nations and are usually written into the flag’s founding statute.

Specifications

Did you know?

São Tomé and Príncipe is one of only two countries on the equator (the other is the larger pair of Brazil and Indonesia).