The flag of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Russian: Флаг Содружества Независимых Государств)[a] was adopted in 1996 and depicts a yellow sun on a dark blue field, with one straight and eight bending poles holding the sun.
The design symbolizes the desire for equal partnership, unity, peace and stability.
Before the flag was adopted, a provisional flag just showing the text "C.I.S."
on a white background was used, such as at sporting events where a Commonwealth team replaced the USSR after the Soviets had qualified but weren't able to attend before it was dissolved.
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