Flag of Abkhazia
The flag of the Republic of Abkhazia was created in 1991 by Valeri Gamgia. It was officially adopted on 23 July 1992 – the same day as the Declaration of Independence of Abkhazia.
The design of the red canton is based on the banner of the medieval Kingdom of Abkhazia. The open right hand means Hello to friends! Stop to Enemies!. The seven stars in the canton have since been reinterpreted to correspond to the seven historical regions of the country: Sadzen, Bzyp, Gumaa, Abzhywa, Samurzaqan, Dal-Tsabal and Pskhuy-Aibga.
Seven is a number sacred to the Abkhaz and the green and white stripes represent the tolerance that allows Christianity and Islam to coexist.
Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia
As no official flag has been adopted for use by the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, the flag of Georgia is used by the Government of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.A flag has been proposed by the Georgian State Council of Heraldry for the region that combines the flag of Georgia with green and white stripes of the Abkhazian flag.