Flag of the Commonwealth

What the flag looks like

A dark blue field with a gold globe in the center, surrounded by gold rays that curve round it in the shape of a letter C.

What it means

The globe stands for the worldwide reach of the Commonwealth and the rays forming a C for the many ways its members co-operate; the rays do not count the members.

How to remember it

The Commonwealth is a gold globe on blue with sunrays curling round it into a big letter C, for Commonwealth.

Fun facts

• The flag was first adopted in 1976; the 2013 redesign cut the number of rays and tilted the globe.
• Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon and Togo joined even though none of them was ever ruled by Britain.

Commonwealth at a glance

Founded

1949

Members

56 states

Headquarters

London

Headquarters

London

Region

Founded 1949

Languages

English

Flag adopted

2013