Since the nation had a federal connection with the current Republic of Mali at the time of independence, besides the stars, the flag's design is the same as that of the Republic of Mali. For Muslims, green represents the flag used by the prophet, for the Christians, the color of hope, while for the Animist believers, it is said to be the color of fertility. The golden color (yellow) represents wealth and also spiritual values such as culture and intellect. Red represents sacrifices made for life and the nation.