This is a list of flags used in Southern Rhodesia between 1890–1964 and 1979–1980 and Rhodesia between 1964 and 1979. The evolution of Southern Rhodesia from a British South African Company concern, to a British Colony, then to a member of a Federal Government, then to a self-declared state is evident by the different flags used.
For flags after these dates see Flags of Zimbabwe.
National flags
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1890–1923
Flag of the British South Africa Company
The BSAC flag was a Union Jack defaced in the centre with a white roundel containing the BSAC logo.
1923–1964
Flag of Southern Rhodesia
A defaced British blue ensign with the shield from the Southern Rhodesian Coat of Arms in the fly.
1925–1953
Flag of Southern Rhodesia
A defaced British blue ensign with the shield from the Southern Rhodesian Coat of Arms over a white roundel in the fly.
1953–1963
Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (also known as the Central African Federation)
A defaced British blue ensign with a shield from the Federal Arms, showing the amalgamation of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, in the fly.
1964–1968
Flag of Southern Rhodesia (1964–1965) and later Rhodesia (1965–1968)
A Sky-Blue British ensign with the shield from the Rhodesian Coat of Arms in the fly.
1968–1979
Flag of Rhodesia
A Green-White-Green vertical tricolour similar to the Nigerian flag with the full Coat of Arms of Rhodesia in the centre of the white panel.
1979
Flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
A Red-White-Green horizontal tricolour similar to the Hungarian flag with a black vertical stripe, fimbriated in white at the hoist, defaced with a centered representation of the Zimbabwe Bird in yellow.
1979–1980
Flag of Southern Rhodesia
Flag of the United Kingdom.
Vice-regal and presidential
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1924–1951
Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A Union Jack defaced with the shield from Coat of Arms of Rhodesia in the centre.
1951–1952
Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A Tudor Crown in the centre of a navy blue background (in official proportions of 7:9).
1952–1965
(de jure 1952–1970)
Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A St. Edward's Crown in the centre of a navy blue background (in official proportions of 7:9).
1952–1965
(de jure 1952–1970)
Variant flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A St. Edward's Crown in the centre of a navy blue background (in manufactured proportions of 1:2).
1940–1952
Household flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A Tudor Crown in the centre of a red background. Used as a car flag within the country.
1952–1963
Government House car flag for distinguished visitors of the governor of Southern Rhodesia
A representation of the Zimbabwe Bird in yellow in the centre of a red background. Used as a car flag within the country.
1970–1979
Flag of the president of Rhodesia
A sky-blue flag with the full Coat of Arms of Rhodesia in the centre
1970–1979
Car pennant of the prime minister of Rhodesia
A green triangular pennant the full Coat of Arms of Rhodesia in the centre
1979–1980
Car flag of the prime minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Based on the National Flag, a Red-White-Green horizontal tricolour in the fly with a black vertical stripe, fimbriated in white at the centre, defaced with a centered representation of the Zimbabwe Bird in yellow.
Military flags
Flag
Date
Use
Description
c. 1890–1923
British South Africa Company Blue Ensign
A defaced British blue ensign with the lion and tusk from the British South Africa Company Arms in the fly.
late 1970s–1980
Flag used by the Rhodesian Army (3rd version)
Orange-red-blue horizontal tricolour defaced in the centre with the Rhodesian Army emblem.
1953–1963
Royal Rhodesia Air Force Ensign
Azure blue flag with the Union Flag in the canton and the roundel of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in the fly.
1963–1968
Royal Rhodesia Air Force Ensign
Azure blue flag with the Union Flag in the canton and the roundel of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in the fly.
1970–1979
Rhodesian Air Force Ensign
A Sky blue flag with the Rhodesian flag in the canton and the roundel of the Rhodesian Air Force in the fly.
1979–1980
Flag of the Zimbabwe Rhodesian Air Force
A Sky blue flag with the Zimbabwe Rhodesia flag in the canton and the roundel of the Rhodesian Air Force in the fly.