Eswatini’s flag features a black-and-white Nguni shield with two spears at its center. The shield and weapons appear on a broad red horizontal band, bordered by thin yellow stripes and flanked by blue bands.
The design was based on a military flag presented by King Sobhuza II to the Swazi Pioneer Corps in 1941. It recalls Eswatini’s military traditions and the protective role of the nation’s regiments. The flag was officially adopted on 6 October 1968, shortly after independence from the United Kingdom.
The shield represents protection from enemies, while the two spears reinforce the military theme. A staff decorated with feather tassels also appears behind the shield. The blue represents peace and stability, red recalls past battles, and yellow symbolizes the country’s natural resources.
A common mix-up is Lesotho, whose flag also includes traditional weapons and a shield-like emblem. However, Eswatini is the distinctive answer for the black-and-white Nguni shield prominently crossed by two spears.