The current flag of Lithuania was adopted on 20th March, 1989, until then the old tricolour was the official flag. The current flag had previously been used when Lithuania gained independence from Russia, who ruled Lithuania for 22 years from 1918 to 1940. The colour of old flag was red featuring the Vytis or white knight on a horse.

Lithuania was again ruled by the Soviet Union in 1944, who then outlawed the flag until on September 20, 1989 Lithuania again proclaimed independence.

The current flag's colours are based traditional national dress of country. The yellow stripes represent the sun, the fields of wheat and prosperity. The forests, flora and hope are represented by the green stripe; and the red stripe symbolizes the blood spilt for the independence for the country and the love for Lithuania.