U N Member Flag Adopted 1917-1921 Readopted 1991 Officially adopted on June 7, 1995 Flag Proportion: 1:2 Capital: Minsk Language: Belarusian, Russian Currency: Ruble Continent: Europe The current flag of Belarus was officially adopted on June 7, 1995 to replace the historical white-red-white tricolor originally adopted following independence in 1991.  The current flag, similar to the former Soviet flag, features a red horizontal stripe occupying the top 2/3 of the flag, and a green stripe on the bottom portion of the flag.  On the hoist end, there is a white and red decorative pattern.  This pattern can often be found woven into clothing, or in traditional towels or rugs used at ceremonial events.  Although this has been adopted as the official flag of Belarus, the white and red flag is still often used both in, and outside of the country, primarily as a symbol of protest against the current government, and its display within Belarus has been outlawed.