The Flag of Macau
The flag of Macau features a simple yet distinctive design consisting of a green background with a white lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water emblem, beneath which are five five-pointed stars, one large and four small. The lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the bridge symbolizes the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, linking the Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island, and represents the connection between Macau and its future. The water beneath the bridge reflects Macau's position as a coastal city. The five stars echo the design of the flag of China, symbolizing the relationship between Macau and the People's Republic of China.
History of The Flag of Macau
The flag of Macau was officially adopted on December 20, 1999, the day Macau was handed back to China by Portugal and became a Special Administrative Region (SAR). The design was selected from a public competition to represent Macau's new status under the principle of 'one country, two systems'. This arrangement allows Macau to maintain its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and immigration policy for 50 years after the handover. The flag's design reflects Macau's cultural heritage and its future, symbolizing the blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences and the region's aspirations under Chinese sovereignty.