The Mali region has been the seat of extensive empires and kingdoms, notably those of Ghana, Mali, and Gao. The medieval empire of Mali was a powerful state and one of the world's chief gold suppliers.
  
The current configuration of the flag was approved on March 1, 1961. The colors of Mali flag are associated with its vibrant history. They are interpreted as follows: the green stripe signifies hope, gold symbolizes purity and wealth and red indicates the force and the struggles of the heroes of independence.
  
The original flag of Mali was first raised on April 4, 1959, at the time of the creation of Mali Federation when French Sudan and Senegal joined forces. Mali Federation obtained its independence on June 20, 1960, and shortly thereafter Senegal, due to inherent discord, disaffiliated from the Federation, built a new nation and adopted its own flag.
  
The flag of Senegal is similar to Mali's except it has a star in the middle of it. The flags were based on the French flag, except Pan-African colors were used. The colors were also those of the African Democratic Rally which was the political party who led the fight for independence.
  
The black-colored kanaga, in stick-figure, is in the form of a human shape with arms extending upwards towards the sky. The figure is contrary to Muslim beliefs about making human images and was widely condemned. Later, mounting pressures from the Muslim front eventually caused its removal from the flag.
  
Therefore, as of March 1, 1961, the emblem was dropped from the flag, and the plain tricolor represented the nation. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Mali Flag for the future.
  
  
The current configuration of the flag was approved on March 1, 1961. The colors of Mali flag are associated with its vibrant history. They are interpreted as follows: the green stripe signifies hope, gold symbolizes purity and wealth and red indicates the force and the struggles of the heroes of independence.
The original flag of Mali was first raised on April 4, 1959, at the time of the creation of Mali Federation when French Sudan and Senegal joined forces. Mali Federation obtained its independence on June 20, 1960, and shortly thereafter Senegal, due to inherent discord, disaffiliated from the Federation, built a new nation and adopted its own flag.
The flag of Senegal is similar to Mali's except it has a star in the middle of it. The flags were based on the French flag, except Pan-African colors were used. The colors were also those of the African Democratic Rally which was the political party who led the fight for independence.
The black-colored kanaga, in stick-figure, is in the form of a human shape with arms extending upwards towards the sky. The figure is contrary to Muslim beliefs about making human images and was widely condemned. Later, mounting pressures from the Muslim front eventually caused its removal from the flag.
Therefore, as of March 1, 1961, the emblem was dropped from the flag, and the plain tricolor represented the nation. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Mali Flag for the future.
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