International Color Guide - Ethiopia

Ethiopian Colors Are So Provocative, They Have Come to Mean African Identity as a Whole.

The only African country that was never under Western rule, Ethiopia has a flag with colors that have become symbolic of independence on the continent. The colors have been adopted by many other freedom seekers in Africa.

The red in its flag stands for faith and power; yellow stands for peace, church, love and natural wealth; and green land and hope.

Among other things, yellow symbolizes natural wealth in the Ethiopian flag. It's the wealth of the environment and the arts and crafts that arise from these resources that present such a beautiful color palette in the country.

The palette is rich: delicious coffees; art crafted from gold, silver and amber; thick carpets and intricate baskets woven from natural fibers; and detailed carvings in native woods. Ethiopia's varied scenery also adds to the mix: Everything from mountains and tropical forests to savannas and deserts offer their hues. Add to that the more than 80 ethnic populations and their traditions and languages.

	For the Amhara, a native population in Ethiopia, white skin coloring suggests illness or being underfed. But the Amhara wear white robes as the color also suggests spiritual purity.
	Black suggests spiritual impurity or anything that is unpleasant or depressed.
	European skin color is seen as red in Ethiopia. Red in the flag stands for faith and power.
	Yellow is the color of special mourning, worn by monks who are in constant mourning for the passing of Christ. Rich gold and amber (as well as silver) are emblematic of many Ethiopian metal crafts.
	Blue and green are not differentiated by the Amhara. Green in the Ethiopian flag means hope.
	Most Amhara would describe their own skin color as brown, which they see as preferable to black. Brown is prevalent in many Ethiopian crafts, baskets, wood carvings, and other products.