National colours


National colours are frequently part of a country's set of national symbols. Many states and nations have formally adopted a set of colours as their official "national colours" while others have de facto national colours that have become well known through popular use. National colours often appear on a variety of different media, from the nation's flag to the colours used in sports. Before World War I, they also served as the colours of different military uniforms for each nation or region.

Countries with limited or no recognition

These are the national colours for countries or states that have limited or no recognition.
CountryFlagPrimary coloursSecondary coloursPrimarySecondaryFurther information
Abkhaziacolour box|#009a3c|border=silvercolour box|white|border=silvercolour box|#c92d25|border=silver

Former countries

Ancient/Imperial Chinese dynasties

DynastyFlagPrimary coloursSecondary coloursPrimarySecondaryFurther information
Xia dynastyBlack, grueGreen/blue in China
Shang dynastyWhite
Zhou dynastyRed
Qin dynastyBlack
Han dynastyBlack
Yellow
Red
Former Wei dynastyYellow
Jin dynastyRed
Liu Song dynastyRed
Southern Qi dynastyRedGreen/blue in China
Liang dynastyRed
Chen dynastyRed
Northern Wei dynastyYellow
Black
Northern Qi dynastyBlack
Northern Zhou dynastyBlack
Sui dynastyRed
Tang dynastyYellow
Reddish Yellow
Liao dynastyBlack
Later Jin dynastyWhite
Song dynastyRed
Western Xia dynastyWhite
Jin dynastyWhite
Yuan dynastyWhite
Ming dynastyRed
Qing dynastyChina|Qingcolour box|Yellow|border=silver

Supranational organisations

Some noted supranational organisations like the United Nations and the European Union have their own colours as part of their branding and marketing. They are usually taken from the organisation's flag. Although they do not have national sporting teams, the colours can be used for anything connected to the organisation, like associated bodies.
OrganisationFlagPrimary coloursSecondary coloursPrimarySecondaryFurther information
African UnionGreen and goldFlag of the African Union
Arab LeagueGreenRed, black and whiteFlag of the Arab League, Pan-Arab colours
Association of [Southeast Asian Nations]Blue, red and yellowBrownFlag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic CooperationGreen and yellowBlue and white
Caribbean CommunitySky blue, dark blue and yellowMaroon Maroon is the colour of the West Indies cricket team. Although they are not an officially part of CARICOM, most members of the community are members of the Cricket West Indies. CARICOM sees the organisation as an associated institute of Community.
Community of [Portuguese Language Countries]Blue and whiteFlag of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries
Eurasian Economic UnionWhiteBlue and goldFlag of the Eurasian Economic Union
European UnionEuropean Unioncolour box|#003399|border=silvercolour box|#FFCC00|border=silvercolour box|white||border=silvercolour box|#004e90||border=silvercolour box|#00875d||border=silvercolour box|#012169|border=silvercolour box|#006eb6|border=silvercolour box|white|border=silvercolour box|white|border=silvercolour box|#126a56|border=silvercolour box|#040504|border=silvercolour box|#ce1126|border=silvercolour box|#00B4CB|border=silvercolour box|#c6a12f|border=silvercolour box|white|border=silver

Examples of use of these colours