It ain't easy being green

Q: Which country's national flag was the only one is history to consist of one solid colour, with no other characteristics?

A: Libya

For over three decades, the national flag of Libya held a unique place in history — it was the only national flag to feature just one solid colour with no symbols, patterns, or designs.

From 1977 to 2011, under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s flag was a plain green rectangle. The colour green symbolised Islam, which is the country’s dominant religion, and also represented Gaddafi’s political philosophy outlined in his Green Book.

Unlike the intricate flags of other nations, Libya’s simple green banner stood out for its absolute minimalism — no coat of arms, stars, or stripes, just a single bold colour. It became a global curiosity and a powerful political statement about unity and ideology.

After Gaddafi’s fall in 2011, Libya reinstated its pre-1969 flag of red, black, and green stripes with a white crescent and star. But for a time, the world’s only monochromatic flag flew proudly over Libya, making it a fascinating footnote in the history of vexillology.