Adopted in 1983. The flag of St. Kitts and Nevis is divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars. The black band is edged in yellow, the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red; green signifies the island's fertility, red symbolizes the struggles of the people from slavery, yellow denotes year-round sunshine, and black represents the African heritage of the people. The white stars stand for the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but can also express hope and liberty, or independence and optimism. (ref: CIA World Factbook)