Daily National Flag

Flag of South Vietnam

Aspect Ratio 2:3

The flag of South Vietnam was adopted in 1949 and was used until the state’s end in 1975. The yellow background and three red stripes have origins in the 19th century, during the reigns of Emperors Gia Long (1802-1820) and Thành Thái (1889-1920). The latter implemented the “Yellow flag” design, which was at the time considered to be the first national flag of Vietnam. Artist Lê Văn Đệ finalized the design, bringing it to its current form, mostly altering the width of the red stripes. In both iterations, the stripes represent Vietnam's three geographic & cultural regions (Northern, Central, and Southern). The yellow background originally represents the Nguyễn House, though this was retired in 1944. As the flag of a defunct state, it is not used in Vietnam today, but is flown by many Vietnamese emigrés (Viet Kieu) overseas, particularly in North America and Australia.

Flag of Anguilla

Aspect Ratio 1:2

The flag of Anguilla, a British overseas territory, was adopted in 1990. The flag consists of a Blue Ensign with the British flag in the canton. Also featured is the Anguillan coat of arms, itself featuring three dolphins. The dolphins represent friendship, wisdom, and strength. The coat of arms design was inspired by the territory's Dolphin Flag, officially used during its brief period of independence, though still flown today. That flag in turn, replaced the widely disliked "Mermaid Flag" which was used only for a few months.

Flag of Tibet

Aspect Ratio 5:8

The flag of Tibet was adopted in 1916. Tibet declared independence from China in 1913, following the fall of the Qing dynasty. The 13th Dalai Lama, Tibets political and spiritual leader, adopted the new flag in 1916 and ordered all Tibetan army regiments to carry the flag. In 1951, the 14th Dalai Lama made an agreement with the newly established People's Republic of China affirming Chinese sovereignty over the de facto state of Tibet. However, the use of the flag was still permitted, with Mao Zedong purportedly telling the Dalai Lama that "you may keep your national flag." This changed following the 1959 Tibetan uprising, an effort to achieve independence. The flag was subsequently banned in mainland China, and by proxy, Tibet. The flag continues to be used as a pro-independence symbol outside of the nation. The actual design dates back to the 7th century CE by King Srongstan Gampo. The white triangle on the bottom of the flag symbolizes a snowy mountain, evocative of Tibet's geographical location, while the two snow lions reflect the harmony between temporal and spiritual rule. The red and blue stripes stand for the twelve descendants of the six aboriginal tribes of Tibet and the two guardian deities known as the Mar Nag Nyi. The golden border symbolizes the teachings of the Buddha.

Flag of Western Sahara

Aspect Ratio 1:2

The flag of Western Sahara was adopted in 1976. Western Sahara (officially the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) was a former Spanish colony, that is officially claimed as an autonomous region of Morocco. The flag is said to be designed by El-Ouali Mustapha Sayed, first president of Western Sahara. The flag is based on the flag of Palestine, which itself is based on the flag of the Arab Revolt of 1916. The Western Sahara flag adds a star and crescent, symbols of Islam. The flag was adopted by the Sahrawi government shortly after Spain withdrew from the region, leaving the territory to Morocco and Mauritania.

Flag of Transnistria

Aspect Ratio 1:2

Flag of South Ossetia

Aspect Ratio 1:2

The flag of South Ossetia was adopted in 1990. South Ossetia, or the State of Alania, is a Russian-backed disputed territory, claimed by Georgia, with limited recognition. The territory adopted their current flag a few months before declaring independence in 1991. The flag, which is near identical to the flag of North Ossetia-Alania, was created by Alan Chochiyev (Алан Чочиев), former leader of the Ossetian national assembly and historian of South Ossetia. The flag is said to represent the social structure of Ancient Ossetian society, with the colors corresponding to different social groups. The white represents the clergy, the red the military, and the yellow the ordinary people. The colors also represent purity, courage, and wealth/prosperity respectively.

Flag of Northern Cyprus

Aspect Ratio 2:3

The flag of Northern Cyprus was adopted in 1983. Northern Cyprus, officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a disputed state, recognized only by Turkey, which declared independence in 1974. In 1983, the TRNC held a competition to design a flag for the republic. The winning entry was based off the flag of Turkey, with the colors reversed and two horizontal red stripes added. That flag itself, was derived from the flag of the old Ottoman Empire. A massive version of the flag is painted on Mount Pentadaktylos, and can be seen from space.

Flag of Artsakh

Aspect Ratio 1:2

The flag of Artsakh was adopted in 1992. Artsakh, a de facto independent republic claimed by Azerbaijan is populated mostly by Armenians. As such, when the republic proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991, a derivative of the Armenian flag was adopted. The flag maintains the same red, blue, and apricot triband as Armenia, but adds a white pattern. Like the flag of Armenia, the red symbolizes the Armenians lost in the Armenian Genocide, the blue the sky, and the apricot the country's courage. The white pattern represents Artsakh as a separate region from the "Motherland." The pattern also bares similarity to the traditional Armenian rug patterns, another symbol of national identity.

Flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Aspect Ratio 2:3

Flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta's Works

Aspect Ratio 2:3

The flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta was adopted in the 1259. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, considered by many scholars as the only sovereign political entity entirely lacking territory, is a continuation of the religious order of the same name, founded in 1099. The design of the flag comes from the banner of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades, who themselves adopted it from a papal bull of Pope Alexander VI. The flag of the Order's Works uses a similar design, but features a Maltese cross in place of the Latin one. This flag became the definitive symbol of the Hospitallers under Grand Master Foulques de Villaret, who lead the order's conquest of Rhodes in the early 14th century. The latter flag is flown outside the order's hospitals and medical facilities, and it is not uncommon for the two to be flown together.

Flag of Abkhazia

Aspect Ratio 1:2

The flag of Abkhazia was adopted in 1992. The Republic of Abkhazia, which is claimed by Georgia and only recognized by four UN member states, obtained de facto independence in 1993, though the region has had some level of autonomy since an independent Georgia was created in 1918. The flag itself is based on the banner of the medieval Kingdom of Abkhazia. The open right hand means "Hello to friends! Stop to Enemies!" The seven stars refer to the seven historical regions of the nation (Sadzen, Bzyp, Gumaa, Abzhywa, Samurzaqan, Dal-Tsabal, and Pskhuy-Aibga). The alternating green and white stripes signify the tolerance that allows Christians and Muslims to peacefully coexist.