Did you know that Indonesia is one of the founding countries of ASEAN? So, do not be surprised if almost all ASEAN activities are centered in Indonesia. The ASEAN Secretariat office itself is located in Indonesia, precisely in South Jakarta, DKI Jakarta.
In his office yard 11 flags fly, of which one ASEAN flag and 10 flags from ASEAN member countries with different colors. Below, we will review various kinds of unique and interesting facts from each country's flag in ASEAN, starting from the color to the philosophy contained in it. Let's see the full explanation below.
1. Indonesian flag
As we know, the Indonesian flag is also known as the Red and White flag which consists of two colors, namely red and white. The meaning commonly understood by people is red means brave and white means holy.
But, behind the dashing Indonesian flag, there is an interesting philosophy in it. He said that the red and white colors on the Indonesian flag come from Austronesian mythology, namely ethnic groups that once lived in the Indonesian Archipelago. In Austronesian mythology, red means sky and white means land.
The Red and White is a symbol of Indonesia's struggle which has traveled a very long journey. Starting from the time of the kingdom until the struggle for independence. Therefore, the Indonesian flag is very sacred and its use has been regulated in the law.
Every August 17, Indonesian people are required to raise the red and white flag, without exception. This was done to commemorate Independence Day. The raising of the Red and White should not be arbitrary, it must be after sunrise and before sunset.
2. Malaysian flag
The flags of ASEAN countries that have facts and philosophies that are no less unique and interesting are the flags of Malaysia, known as Jalan Gemilang. The Malaysian flag consists of four colors, namely red, white, blue and yellow with their respective meanings.
The red color symbolizes courage, the white color represents purity, and the blue color represents unity. While the yellow color that has a crescent moon and stars symbolizes the color of the kings.
This Gemilang Line has 14 red and white stripes of the same width. it is a symbol of the United Kingdom and the 13 states of Malaysia. While the crescent moon is a symbol of Islam, which is the official religion in Malaysia, then the 14th longitude star symbolizes the signs of the 13 states and the Federal Kingdom.
The Malaysian flag itself is the brainchild of an architect named Mohamad bin Hamzah. After being changed, it was finally agreed to become the national flag in April 1950 and was flown for the first time in May 1950.
3. Singapore Flag
Did you know that Singapore was once a state of Malaysia? Even though it is part of the state of Malaysia, Singapore already has its own flag which they introduced in 1959.
This flag was used to replace the Union Jack flag which had flown for 140 years, from 1819 to 1959. When it decided to separate from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore continued to use the flag.
The Singapore flag itself is similar to the Indonesian flag, which consists of red and white colors. But the difference is, in the red part there is a crescent moon and also five stars arranged in a circle. The red color in the flag has the meaning of brotherhood and human equality.
While the white color symbolizes cleanliness and usability. The crescent moon represents a young country that is trying to move forward. Meanwhile, the five stars are a symbol of democracy, progress, security, justice, and also thoroughness, principles that Singapore upholds.
4. Thai Flag
In Thai, the Thai flag is called Thong Trairong which means the flag of three colors. The Thai flag consists of three colors, namely red, white and blue, which are arranged horizontally.
The sequence is starting from the colors red, white, blue, white, and red. The colors respectively represent the nation's belief in God the King, which is the unofficial motto of Thailand.
At least, Thailand has changed its flag three times. The first flag (1855-1916) was red without any markings accompanied by various white elephant symbols. Then in 1916, the Thai flag was replaced again, almost similar to the flag used now.
It's just that the difference is in the blue line which used to be red. The current official flag of Thailand has been in use since 1917, after the red stripe in the middle of the flag was replaced with blue. For Thai people, blue is the color of Friday and is the birthday of King Rama VI.
5. Philippines Flag
The meaning of the colors on the Philippine flag symbolizes the historical journey that the Philippines has gone through. The blue color represents calm times, the red color represents the turbulent past of war, and the white color represents purity. Meanwhile, the white equilateral triangle represents the trias politica.
Finally, there are 3 small stars that symbolize the main beliefs held by Filipinos, namely Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. The raising of the Philippine flag itself is quite unique. When it is displayed in blue above, it means that the Philippines is in a state of peace. However, if it is displayed in red above, it means that the Philippines is in a period of war.
Apart from the five countries mentioned above, ASEAN also has 5 other countries. Each of these countries has a unique flag and a very deep meaning.
6. Brunei Darussalam Flag
Brunei Darussalam is a former British colony. When the British came to power in Brunei Darussalam or often abbreviated as Brunei, this country which is located in the Northwest of the North coast of Borneo already had its own flag.
The flag was introduced in 1959. Where the Brunei flag is dominated by yellow, in the middle there is a black and white line. Then on top of it are symbols of the crescent moon, umbrella torches, wings, and a pair of upturned hands.
These symbols have a special meaning. The first is the crescent moon symbol, which is a symbol of Islam, in which the majority of the population in Brunei are Muslims. Then the torch umbrella has the meaning of government under the Sultan.
Meanwhile, the Sayar symbol has the meaning of justice, peace, prosperity, and also security. Inside the crescent moon is written the motto in Jawi letters which means "Always serve with God's guidance". Meanwhile, under the crescent moon there is the inscription Negara Brunei Darussalam.
7. Vietnam flag
The Vietnamese flag consists of two colors, namely red and yellow. Even though it looks simple, this Vietnamese flag has a deep meaning. Where the red color on the flag symbolizes the struggle and success of the Vietnamese revolution.
Then the yellow star in the middle of the flag represents the leadership of the Communist Party. Meanwhile, the star with its five corners symbolizes the five groups forming socialism, namely intellectuals, neighbours, farmers, workers and youth.
The Vietnamese flag has been used by North Vietnam since 1955. Meanwhile, South Vietnam also has its own flag dominated by yellow with three horizontal red stripes in the middle.
However, after the Indochina war was over and the two countries were united, it was finally agreed to use the flag which is now the pride of the Vietnamese people.
8. Laos Flag
The flag of Laos was introduced in 1975. Where the flag of the country of Laos consists of blue and red colors arranged horizontally. For the size of the blue part tends to be larger than the red color.
In the middle of the flag, there is a white circle or chakra symbol. The colors on the Lao flag have different meanings. Where the red color represents the blood of the fallen warriors. Then the blue color symbolizes the wealth of world resources. Meanwhile, the white circle symbol represents the reflection of the full moon over the Mekong River as well as a symbol of national harmony.
Even though it is a communist country, Laos does not adopt the star symbol on its flag which is usually used by other communist countries.
9. Myanmar flag
The flag of the ASEAN country, which is located in the westernmost part, consists of yellow, green and red colors arranged horizontally.
In the center there is a white five-pointed star symbol. The yellow color symbolizes solidarity, then the green color represents peace and the red color means courage. The white star symbol on the flag stands for the unity of the people of Myanmar.
This flag was just introduced by Myanmar in 2010, to replace the socialist flag that had been used since 1974. According to records, at least Myanmar, which was formerly called Burma, has changed the country's flag seven times.
10. Cambodia Flag
The Cambodian flag consists of two colors, namely red and blue. Where the blue is flanking the red. In the center, there is a miniature illustration of Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple complex in the world.
Then the blue color symbolizes the royal family, then the red color represents the country and the Angkor Wat symbol represents religion.
Those are the interesting facts behind the flags of ASEAN countries. In your opinion, which country's flag is the most unique and interesting?
