Flag of the Maldives

Maldives
Use National flag
Proportion 2:3
Adopted 25 July 1965
Design A green rectangle centred on a red field; charged with a white crescent facing the fly side

The flag of the Republic of Maldives is green with a red border. The centre bears a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag. It was adopted on 25 July 1965.

The red rectangle represents the boldness of the nation's heroes, and their willingness to sacrifice their every drop of blood in defence of their country. The green rectangle in the centre symbolises peace and prosperity. The white crescent moon symbolises the Islamic faith.

The colours are:

  • Red: PMS 186C, RGB (210, 16, 52)
  • Green: PMS 348C, RGB (0, 126, 58)
  • White

History

The earliest flag of the Maldives consisted of a plain red field. Later, a black and white striped hoist called the Dhandimathi (Dhivehi: ދަނޑިމަތި) was added to the flag.[1]

This version of the flag was used until early in the 20th century, when Abdul Majeed Didi added a crescent to the national flag. At the same time, a distinct state flag was made, which had the crescent on a green rectangle. These changes were made some time between 1926 and 1932, during Abdul Majeed's term as Prime Minister.[2]

In 1953, the Maldives became a republic, resulting in another flag change. The national flag was dropped and the crescent on the state flag was reversed, so that it faced the hoist. The Sultanate was restored in 1954, but the flag was not changed back.[3] Instead, Muhammad Fareed Didi created a new flag specifically for the Sultan, with a five-pointed star next to the crescent. A version of this flag is still used today as the Presidential Standard.

When the Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, the black and white hoist was removed, giving the flag its modern form.

References

  1. ↑ Maldives Royal Family. "Sultanate of the Maldives (-1949)". Maldivesroyalfamily.com. Retrieved 2004-07-05.
  2. ↑ Cahoon, Ben. "Maldives". Worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  3. ↑ E.M.C. Barraclough. "Maldives: From protectorate to independence (1949-1968)". Rbvex.it. Retrieved 2005-10-24.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.