What Do All The Colours In The Pride Flag Actually Mean?

The Pride flag is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world — but the colours were never chosen at random.

The original rainbow flag was designed by artist and activist Gilbert Baker in 1978, with each colour representing a different idea linked to life, identity and community.

The six-colour version most commonly seen today carries the following meanings:

Red: Life
Orange: Healing
Yellow: Sunlight
Green: Nature
Blue: Serenity and harmony
Violet: Spirit

Baker’s original design actually featured eight colours, including pink for sexuality and turquoise for magic and art, before practical production issues eventually led to the six-stripe version becoming the standard.

Over the years, the flag has continued to evolve too.

The Progress Pride Flag, designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, added black and brown stripes to represent marginalised LGBTQ+ communities of colour, alongside light blue, pink and white representing the transgender community.

Later versions also incorporated the intersex symbol and colours, further broadening the flag’s representation.

But beyond what each individual colour means, the rainbow itself has become a wider symbol of visibility, equality, diversity and belonging.

And that is ultimately why you will see so many of those colours filling the streets of Valletta today for Malta Pride.

#MaltaDaily