Flag of Myanmar

The flag of Myanmar is an important symbol of the country. It has three horizontal stripes of saffron (yellow-orange), green, and red. In the middle of the flag is a large white five-pointed star. This flag was officially chosen and used by the country on October 21, 2010. It represents the spirit and identity of the people of Myanmar.

Current flag since 2010

The flag of Myanmar was officially adopted on October 21, 2010. It is a horizontal tricolor with three colors: saffron, green, and red. In the middle of the flag is a large white five-pointed star.

The saffron color stands for unity, wisdom, and happiness. The green color represents peace, fertility, and fairness. The red color shows bravery and determination. The white star symbolizes purity, honesty, and strength. This flag replaced an older one and was first raised at 3:00 p.m. on the day it was adopted.

Historical flags (1948–2010)

The two flags used by the country right before the 2010 flag both started from the Burmese Resistance. They used a red flag with a white star when fighting against the occupying Japanese forces during World War II.

1948 flag

See also: § 1947 proposals

The National Flag of the Union of Burma was designed by Maung Win and adopted by the Constituent Assembly of the Union of Burma in August 1947. It was first raised at 4:25 AM on 4 January 1948 when Burma became independent from the United Kingdom. The flag had a red background with a blue corner. Inside the blue corner was one large white star with five smaller stars around it. The large star and red background honored the Resistance Flag and showed the fight against unfair rule. The five small stars stood for the unity of different groups in the new country. The red color showed bravery and unity. The blue showed the sky, clear minds, and light in the dark. The white stars meant guidance and purity. The white color meant goodness and strong beliefs. This flag was used until 3 January 1974 when it was replaced by a new flag for the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma.

1974 flag

The new State Flag was designed by Mya Thaung and adopted on 3 January 1974 when the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma started. It looked similar to the old flag but had changes in the blue corner. The colors now meant: white for purity, red for bravery, and blue for peace. The blue corner had 14 white stars around a wheel with 14 parts and a rice plant with 34 grains. The rice plant stood for farmers and the wheel for workers. Together, they showed the important groups in building the country. The 14 stars stood for the 14 parts of the Union: 7 states and 7 divisions.

After a change in 1988, the new leaders kept using this flag but changed some meanings in lessons at school. They no longer talked about socialism, just about the State. During protests in 1988, people turned this flag upside down to show they were against the military government. Even though this flag was used during times of military rule, people used it again in protests in 2021, along with the 1948 flag.

Vertical style

When the flag of Myanmar is shown standing up, the yellow color should be on the left side and the big white star should point to the left as well.

Obsolete flags

1948 flag

For older flags from 1948, when shown standing up, the blue part should be at the top left, and the stars in that blue part should point to the left.

Influence of pre-independence flags

The Tricolours

In 1930, a group called the Dobama Asiayone created a flag with three colors: yellow, green, and red. By 1935, they added a peacock in the middle. In 1938, some members changed the peacock to a hammer and sickle. These flags were popular among people fighting for independence from British rule. The peacock flag was also used by soldiers and later became the national flag from 1943 to 1945. The colors had special meanings: yellow stood for Buddhism and education, green for crops and minerals, and red for bravery. The peacock symbolized the people, while the hammer and sickle represented workers and farmers.

The Resistance Flag

In 1945, when soldiers joined forces to fight against the Japanese, they created a new flag. This flag had a red background with a white star in the top left corner, called the "Resistance Flag."

Influences

Both the three-colored flags and the resistance flag are remembered as important symbols. The current flag of Myanmar honors these older flags, showing their lasting influence.

Proposals

1947 proposals

In 1947, a group was formed to prepare designs for the country's flag, seal, and anthem. They held a contest, and Maung Win's design won first prize. There was a discussion about adding a peacock to the flag, but it was decided not to include it.

2006–2007 proposals

In November 2006, a new flag design was suggested. It would have had three equal horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and red, with a white star on the left side of the green stripe.

In September 2007, another design was suggested with a bigger white star in the middle and the stripes arranged as yellow, green, and red. This design was based on an older Burmese flag and was included in a new constitution that was approved in a vote in 2008.

Former 2019 proposals

In July 2019, the ruling party proposed changes to the national flag, feeling that the current flag did not have full support from the people. They suggested a new design based on the flag from when the country gained independence. This new design would have a red background with a blue area in the top left corner. Inside the blue area would be a large white star for the union, surrounded by 14 smaller white stars representing the states and regions of the country.

Historical flags before 1948

Main article: List of Burmese flags § Historical flags

Before 1948, Myanmar, then known as Burma, had many different flags. These included flags from the Hanthawaddy kingdom, the Konbaung Dynasty, and flags used during British colonial rule. There were also special flags used during World War II under both British and Japanese control. Each of these flags represented different times and rulers in Burma’s history before it became independent in 1948.