Flag of Myanmar

What the flag means

The 2010 flag law, as explained in a government school textbook of 2011, gives yellow as unity among the national races, green as peace and fertility, and red as bravery and decisiveness. The white star stands for purity, honesty, compassion and power.

History

The design was written into the 2008 constitution, which was approved in a referendum that year. Earlier proposals appeared in November 2006 and September 2007, and the 2007 version was the one chosen. The new flag replaced the 1974 flag on 21 October 2010, when the State Peace and Development Council issued the State Flag Law and repealed the 1974 law. It was raised at 3 p.m. that day, and orders went out to burn the old flags.

Earlier flags of Myanmar

1. 1948–1974Red with a blue canton holding one large and five small white stars
2. 1974–2010Red with a blue canton: a cogwheel and rice plant ringed by 14 stars

Flags of Myanmar's neighbours

• Bangladesh
• China
• India
• Laos
• Thailand