Pride Flags Explained: How Colours Unite and Empower the LGBTQ+ Community

LGBTQ+ Pride Flags do more than add colour to parades and events. Each Pride Flag tells a story, offering a visible symbol of identity, struggle, joy, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned ally, someone exploring their own identity, or just curious about the rainbow, understanding Pride Flags is a step towards inclusion. This guide breaks down where these Flags came from, why they matter, and what the different Pride colours mean.

Image Credit – LAZYLLAMA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The History of Pride Flags

The Pride Flag has been a key part of LGBTQ+ visibility for decades. It all started with the rainbow Flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 for San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day. Baker, an artist and activist, wanted to create a symbol that reflected the beauty and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The original had eight colours, with each stripe representing something different.

Over time, the rainbow Flag evolved (sometimes because certain colours were tricky to source for mass production!). The six-striped rainbow we see most often today includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. But the Flag’s meaning hasn’t changed. It still stands for pride, solidarity, and hope.

Flag design became a way for people to celebrate their unique identities too. Now, every corner of the community has a Flag, each one thoughtfully designed and rich with meaning.

How Many Pride Flags Are There?

Short answer? Loads! Pride Flags aren’t limited to the rainbow. There are over 50 widely-recognised Pride Flags, each one a badge for a different group or identity within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. These include well-known Flags like the Progress Pride Flag and Bisexual Flag, as well as lesser-known designs like the Agender or Genderfluid Flags.

Flags can evolve, too. New designs emerge as communities grow, and old ones get updated to be more inclusive. While this guide explores ten of the most significant banners, keep in mind it’s just a taste of the full Pride Flag landscape.

What Are Pride Colours?

Each Pride Flag uses colours to send a clear message. Pride colours express what a group values, what it celebrates, or what it has overcome. For example, rainbow stripes might show diversity and unity, pinks and blues could honour gender identity, and black or brown stripes often celebrate intersectionality or acknowledge struggles against oppression.

Understanding Pride colours adds new depth to waving (or wearing) the Flags. It’s more than aesthetics; it’s about celebrating identities and stories that deserve to be seen.

Image Credit – Raising My Rainbow

Pride Flags Explained Key Designs and Their Meanings

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most visible and meaningful Pride Flags:

6 Colour Pride Flag

The 6 Colour Pride Flag is one of the most recognised and celebrated symbols of LGBTQ+ pride and diversity, also known as the classic rainbow Flag. Featuring six bold stripes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, each colour carries a special meaning.

Red stands for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony, and violet for spirit. Together, these colours create a powerful message of unity and equality, reminding us to celebrate individuality while embracing community.

Image Credit: Unsplash | Tristan Billet

Progress Pride Flag

The Progress Pride Flag is an updated take on the classic rainbow Flag. Created in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, this design keeps the rainbow’s six stripes but adds a chevron of black, brown, light blue, pink, and white.

• Black and Brown stripes stand for LGBTQ+ people of colour and highlight the importance of inclusion and intersectionality.
• Light Blue, Pink, and White stripes are borrowed from the transgender Flag, showing support for trans and non-binary people.

The arrow shape suggests moving forward, pushing for progress, not just celebration.

Image Credit – @salvagutz

Intersex Pride Flag

Morgan Carpenter designed the Intersex Flag in 2013, wanting a symbol free of gender or sexuality stereotypes.

• Yellow background signifies something outside the binary.
• A purple circle (no breaks or additions) represents wholeness and bodily autonomy for intersex people.

This Flag is distinct for avoiding the gendered symbols and colours you see elsewhere.

Transgender Pride Flag

The Transgender Pride Flag was created by Monica Helms in 1999. Made up of five horizontal stripes:

• Blue is for boys.
• Pink is for girls.
• White stands for those who are transitioning, intersex, or identify as gender neutral.

What’s clever is that the Flag looks the same whichever way you fly it. No matter what direction you come from, it’s “correct”, a subtle message of belonging.

Image Credit – @vogueitalia

Non-binary Pride Flag

Kye Rowan designed this Flag in 2014 so that non-binary folks had an emblem just for them.

• Yellow is for people whose gender exists outside the binary.
• White symbolises those with multiple or all genders.
• Purple is a mix of blue and pink (male and female).
• Black is for people without a gender.

Every stripe stands for a different way to be non-binary.

Bisexual Pride Flag

Michael Page designed the Bisexual Pride Flag in 1998, after noticing bisexual folks felt left out of rainbow pride events.

• Magenta is for same-gender attraction.
• Royal Blue is for attraction to different genders.
• The purple overlap in the middle shows bisexuality as a blend of both.

It’s a reminder that bisexual people aren’t “half straight, half gay”; bisexuality is a valid, unique identity.

Image Credit – @ryleelouisaprenatt

Lesbian Pride Flag

Several designs have represented lesbian pride over the years. The “lipstick lesbian” Flag included a lipstick mark, but the most used now features seven stripes in shades of orange, pink, and white.

• Dark orange and red represent gender nonconformity, independence, and community.
• White is for unique relationships to womanhood.
• Pinks symbolise serenity and love.

It’s widely used online and in person, though some still prefer the older “labrys” Flag.

Asexual Pride Flag

Created by the Asexual Visibility and Education Network in 2010 through a community vote, this Flag features:

• Black for asexuality itself.
• Grey for grey-asexuality/demisexuality.
• White for partners and allies.
• Purple for community.

It’s a symbol of connection and solidarity for anyone along the ace spectrum.

Image Credit – @asexsualkasaida

Pansexual Pride Flag

First seen in the early 2010s, the Pansexual Pride Flag has three stripes:

• Pink for attraction to women.
• Blue for attraction to men.
• Yellow for attraction to those of all other genders or non-binary folk.

Pansexual people often use this Flag to say their attraction isn’t limited by gender.

Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag

This is one of the newest kids on the block. With inclusion at the forefront, this design was proposed by Valentino Vecchietti in 2021.

It takes the Progress Pride Flag design and incorporates the intersex symbol (purple circle on yellow) into the chevron. The updated design is about making sure every member of the LGBTQIA+ family sees themselves represented.

Image Credit – LGBTQ Nation

More Than Flags Why They Matter

Pride Flags are more than decoration. They give people visibility and voice, signal safe spaces, and help connect people locally and globally. Displaying a pride Flag says “you belong” in a tangible, visible way.

For those who may not feel ready to share their identity openly, seeing familiar Pride colours, whether in person or online, can be a comforting reminder that acceptance is always possible.

You can help spread this message through simple, creative items like printed Mugs, Lanyards, or badges. Pair these with thoughtfully designed Pin Backing Cards to enhance their message and make an even greater impact.

Image Credit – ThePinPrick

What’s next?

Want to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community or learn more? Attending Pride events or parades is a great place to start, where you can discover both new and classic designs.

With print, you can share the design that resonates most with you, while adding a personal touch or branding to your message. Whether it’s Mini Flags or larger Custom Flags, you can create something that feels just right for you.

Pride is about more than just celebration, it’s a statement of solidarity. Taking time to understand the meaning behind Pride colours and Flags is a thoughtful way to show respect and support.

If you’re a business owner, displaying a Pride Flag is a simple but powerful way to show your space is inclusive. You can also use custom Stickers, pin badges, or Window Vinyl to spread the message of inclusion. Or share your support with Branded Merchandise that’s not only eye-catching but creates meaningful connections with your customers.

Let’s celebrate, learn, and show support together.