Between 1890 and September 1923 the territory now known as Zimbabwe was administered by the British South Africa Company (BSAC) in terms of a Royal Charter granted to Cecil John Rhodes by Queen Victoria. The Charter empowered the BSAC to, inter alia, make treaties, promulgate laws, preserve the peace, maintain a police force, acquire new concessions and generally provide, at the Company's expense, the infrastructure of a new Colony.

Following the granting of Responsible Government, Southern Rhodesia became a British Colony and the British Union Flag became the official flag.

There was considerable confusion as to what was the flag of Southern Rhodesia following the granting of Responsible Government. The British Union Flag was considered the official flag of the Colony until 1937 when the Admiralty approved a Southern Rhodesian dark blue ensign, although evidence suggests that such a flag may have already been used prior to this date.

The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was established on 07 September 1953 following the amalgamation of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

After the breakup of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia became the independent republic of Zambia and Nyasaland became Malawi under African leadership during 1964. Southern Rhodesia wanted independence on the same lines but the British Government refused on the basis that not enough was being done regarding the political advancement of the African population.

The independence of Rhodesia (having dropped the "Southern" after the independence of Zambia in 1964) was not recognised and mandatory economic sanctions were imposed on the 'rebel' colony by the United Nations.

African opposition to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) and the white-led regime in Rhodesia manifested itself through an increasing guerrilla struggle waged initially from neighbouring Zambia and then also from Mozambique. In 1978 the Rhodesian Government reached a compromise with the internally-based African leaders resulting in universal suffrage elections in February 1979. This led to the establishment of a African dominated government and the formation of Zimbabwe Rhodesia on 01 June 1979. As the externally based guerrilla leaders were not accommodated, the new state was not recognised and UN sanctions were maintained and the guerrilla struggle continued. A new flag to reflect the changing political dispensation was hoisted on 02 September 1979. This flag has a vertical black stripe, with white fimbriation, at the hoist, with three horizontal stripes of red, white and green in the fly. A yellow Zimbabwe Bird was on the black stripe in the canton.

Negotiations held at Lancaster House in London under the auspices of the British Government resulted in a ceasefire and the arrival of a British Governor on 12 December 1979. In terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, Rhodesia reverted to being a British Colony under direct control from London. UN sanctions were lifted and legality was restored.

Zimbabwe obtained its independence from Britain on 18 April 1980 and adopted a new flag based on the colours of the ruling party. The flag has seven horizontal stripes and a white triangle at the hoist, in the centre of which is the country's Zimbabwe Bird emblem superimposed on a red star.