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TheBlack Star of Africa is a blackfive-pointed star (★) symbolizingAfrica in general andGhana in particular. TheBlack Star Line, founded in 1919 byMarcus Garvey as part of theBack-to-Africa movement, modelled its name on that of theWhite Star Line, changing the colour from white to black to symbolise ownership byblack people rather thanwhite people. The black star became a symbol ofPan-Africanism andanti-colonialism. Described as the "Lodestar of African Freedom", the black star was used in 1957 byTheodosia Okoh in the design of theFlag of Ghana.[1]
Ghanaians have come to regard the Black Star as a specific symbol of Ghana rather than of Africa in general.[2] As well as on the flag, the star appears onthe coat of arms; on the Black Star Gate inBlack Star Square in the capital,Accra;[1] and on the Seat of State inParliament, on whichthe President sits on ceremonial occasions.[3] TheGhana national football team is nicknamed the "Black Stars".[4] The house flag of Ghana's former national shipping carrier, the Black Star Line, also featured the star.[5]
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The Black Star was also in the flag of theAfrican Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) on which theflag of Guinea-Bissau and the formerflag of Cape Verde were based. Theflag of São Tomé and Príncipe consists of theEthiopianPan-African colours with two black stars, one each forSão Tomé andPríncipe.[6] The flag of the short-livedUnion of African States had three black stars, one for each member state. Black Star Industries, named after the Black Star Line, is a commercial venture associated with the U.S.African People's Socialist Party.[7]
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