The red background on the flag of the democratic republic of east timor represents the blood of martyrs during the independence process, while the black part symbolizes the dark colonial history of east timor for nearly 400 years. Yellow symbolizes the traces of colonialists; Black symbolizes the backward culture to overcome; Red symbolizes national liberation struggle; White symbolizes peace. The flag was officially adopted on independence day, May 20, 2002. The central image is derived from the fretilin flag, symbolizing the relentless struggle for independence.