The design is based on, and nearly identical to, the first flag of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP), which led the country to its independence.

[1] The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural and political significance; however, sources differ on the specific meanings.

[1] Meanwhile, the US Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook states that yellow represents cocoa, a major agricultural export of the country.

Article 13 of the São Toméan constitution states that international conventions are observed domestically once they are "ratified by the respective competent bodies".

[8] Thirty-nine large ships were flying the flag in 2002, despite the fact that São Tomé and Príncipe does not have any deep-water ports for them to dock in.

[1][14] A modified version of the MLSTP flag, designed by the first São Toméan president Manuel Pinto da Costa, was ultimately chosen.