Adopted in 1959; The flag of Chad has three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red. The flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors. Blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice.