The Flag of Singapore
The national flag of Singapore consists of two horizontal halves, red above white. It features a white crescent moon on the left side of the red half, flanked by five white stars arranged in a circle. Each element of the flag is symbolic, with the red representing universal brotherhood and equality of man, and the white signifying pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise, and the five stars stand for the country's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.
History of The Flag of Singapore
The flag of Singapore was officially adopted on December 3, 1959, when it became a self-governing state within the British Empire. This was part of the preparations for Singapore's full independence, which was achieved on August 9, 1965, when Singapore was expelled from the Federation of Malaysia and became a fully independent republic. The design of the flag was meant to be a symbol of nationhood, distinct from the flags of other states and signaling the emergence of a new and sovereign nation. The choice of symbols, such as the crescent and stars, was aimed at representing Singapore's identity as a young, forward-looking nation, grounded in the ideals of democracy and equality. Since its adoption, the flag has come to be a powerful symbol of the country's unity, sovereignty, and national pride, celebrated annually on National Day, August 9th, commemorating Singapore's independence.