Myanmar
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| Flag of Myanmar | |
| |
| Adopted | January 3, 1974[1][2] or March 2, 1974[3] |
|---|---|
| Designed by | (unknown) |
| Proportions | 5:9[1][4] |
The flag of Myanmar, also called Burma, is red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 14, white, five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions and seven states.[5]
The flag of Myanmar is similar to the flag of Samoa, and to the Chinese flag as used by Taiwan.
In 2008 took place a referendum, that approved a new constitution, with new national flag described in it. The new constitution and national flag will take effect in 2010.[6]
Contents |
[edit] Symbolism
The 14 stars and 14 cogs in the flag represent the 14 administrative divisions of Burma/Myanmar, the cog-wheel symbolizes industry, and the rice symbolizes agriculture. The red colour signifies courage and certainty, the white colour represents purity and good worth, and the blue colour signifies peace and honesty.[1][3]
The flag probably is influenced by the flag of the Republic of China, because Kuomintang military units were present in the country during the Second World War and after their defeat in 1949 fled to Burma instead of Taiwan, remaining the dominant force in Shan State until 1961.[7]
[edit] Other national flags
.png) Naval ensign |
.png) Presidential flag |
[edit] History
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_1952.png)
In many Asian countries the earliest flag representing the ruler had a plain background with a distinctive national animal in the centre. In Myanmar the peacock was that central emblem, introduced in 1757 by King Alaungpaya. The peacock, symbolic of the sun and of Buddhism, was also said to stand for happiness and unity. Under the colonial rule of the British (1886–1948), when the country became known as Burma, there was a special Blue Ensign with a gold disk bearing the peacock, although for most of the years of British rule the Union Jack alone was displayed.
In August 1943 a Japanese-sponsored puppet regime established a horizontal tricolour of yellow-green-red bearing a white disk with a gold central peacock. The regime was opposed by the Anti-Fascist Organization (later the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League), whose red banner with a single white star in the upper hoist corner inspired the national flag of Burma at the time of its independence (January 4, 1948). That new flag was red and had a large white star on a blue canton; the star had five smaller stars between its points, representing the different ethnic groups of the country. A new regime changed the national flag on January 3, 1974.[2]
 The Golden "Hintar" flag, ca. 1300-1500 |
 Burmese Kingdom, 1752-1886 |
 Burmese Empire, 1853-1876 |
 British Burma, 1937-1948 |
 Burma (provisional government), 1941-1942 (provisional) |
 Japanese occupational administration, 1942-1943 |
 Republic of Burma (Japanese puppet), 1943-1945 |
 Burma, January 4, 1948-1974 |
Burma (known as "Myanmar" since 1988), since 1974 |
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Flag of Burma (Myanmar) at Enchanted Learning
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Myanmar, flag of. (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 05, 2009, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Myanmar Flag at Maps of World.com
- ↑ Myanmar at World Flag Database
- ↑ Flag of Burma at CIA World Factbook
- ↑ The Myanmar Constitution approved in 2008, page 190 (in Burmese)
- ↑ McCoy, Alfred W. 1972. The politics of heroin in Southeast Asia, "Secret War in Burma: The KMT"
