Swiss bacteriologist who discovered the bubonic plague bacillus in Hong Kong in 1894 and prepared a serum against it. The bacillus was discovered independently, in the same epidemic, by Japanese bacteriologist Shibasaburo Kitasato, who published his results before Yersin did.
Black recalls the country's tragic past. White reflects the Georgians' hopes for the future. Dark red is the national colour and is said to represent happiness. Effective date: 14 November 1990.