Flag of the Commonwealth of Independent States

The flag of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Russian: Флаг Содружества Независимых Государств)^[a] was adopted in 1996 and depicts a yellow sun on a dark blue field, with one straight and eight bending poles holding the sun. The design symbolizes the desire for equal partnership, unity, peace and stability.

The 8 bending poles represent the 8 states which signed the 1991 treaty forming the CIS.^[1]

Before the flag was adopted, a provisional flag just showing the text "C.I.S." on a white background was used, such as at sporting events where a Commonwealth team replaced the USSR after the Soviets had qualified but weren't able to attend before it was dissolved.

• Former flag of the CIS

• Emblem of the Commonwealth of Independent States
• Flag of the Soviet Union