The current flag was established in 1958 when the the nation became an autonomous republic within the French federation and also changed names to Central African Republic. The blue, white, and red colors represent the colonial power France and expresses hopes for friendly relations. The green and yellow colors are known as African colors. The yellow star in the upper left symbolizes freedom. Blue represents the sky and friendship, white, purity and idealism, green, hope and trust, and yellow, acceptance and underground resources.