"Red, Gold and Green"


The phrase 'Red, Gold and Green' frequently occurs in reggae song lyrics, as an affectionate reference to the tricolour flag of Ethiopia.



The colours red, yellow and green were first used as a national flag during the late nineteenth century, though initially they were flown as three separate pennants (long narrow streamers) of equal width, one above the other. In 1897, these were incorporated into a single rectangular-shaped horizontal tricolour design, in the order red, yellow, green, from top to bottom. In 1941, the order of the stripes was reversed, with the green at the top. Most recently, in 1996, an interlaced five-pointed star on a blue disc was added in the centre, though the flag is still used without the disc in many areas.



The symbolism of the colours is very important. Red is a memorial to the blood shed by patriots. Yellow usually stands for the wealth of treasured heritage. Green represents the forests and vegetation, without which human life could not exist. Indeed, these colours came to symbolise pan-African liberation in the flags of many former colonies, being apparently adopted from the flag of Ghana by several newly independant counries during the late 1950s and 60s.

Many Rastafarians pride themselves in wearing items of clothing displaying red, yellow and green. The traditional Rasta tam hat is a good example, worn as a crowning glory. Today, a wide variety of other garments and accessories are available, enabling one to be dressed literally from head to toe in glowing red, gold and green, which can be an eye-catching statement of a positive attitude of respect towards others.

The Ethiopian tricolour has become so closely associated with Rasta culture that it often appears as a backdrop at reggae concerts, draped over the stage behind the musicians. In addition it is used as a background or to adorn Rasta websites, reggae album covers, and so on, sometimes in association with typical symbols such the Conquering Lion of Judah, or the Marijuana leaf. As commercialisation has inevitably caught up with the trend, you may see the familiar red, gold and green plastered indiscriminately over modern fashion accessories, which seem to dilute the original message of roots and culture. But where the Rasta colours are used to subtle effect, the result can be very beautiful.



In reggae lyrics, you will often hear the exhortation,
Let hands and heart be pure and clean
To rally round the Red, Gold and Green!
which seems to be based partly on Psalm 24:3-4.

Note: I was advised by a visitor to this website of the following: "H.I.M the Lion of Judah, Haile Selassie I, flew his colors which are red at the bottom (He would never put blood on all our heads, we will wash our feet in the blood of the wicked.) Gold is in the middle and Green is at the top. Those are the colors in the order as they Fly In Ethiopia. "




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