The flag of Nepal is a unique combination of two flags. It was adopted in 1962 along with the constitution of the country. This Nepalese banner is the only non-quadrilateral double pennon flag in the world. To the Nepalese, the flag is a symbol of brevity and the rich history of the country and their journey towards becoming a sovereign state. The flag is celebrated every 16th December.
Nepal is among the countries that were never colonized. The British East India Company focused its attention on establishing its authority in India, Bengal, and other territories. By 1814, a dispute between the company and Nepal ensued over individual border districts. However, conquering Nepal was an issue as anti-British sentiment was already strife in the continent. At the time, Nepal had a powerful King known as Prithvi Narayan, who is hailed as the Father of Modern-day Nepal. Through the expansion of his kingdom, he consolidated states that currently constitute modern-day Nepal.
In 1767, there was a brief war between Nepal and the British Company. Narayan’s kingdom had the most powerful army in the region, known as the Gorkhali Army of Nepal, which defeated the British in the Kinloch expedition. However, battling with the British crippled the expansion of Naryan’s Kingdom. One major factor that contributed to the defeat of the Gorkhali was internal strife. The British knew of the division within the army and exploited it. However, the British had no motivation to colonize Nepal. In 1923, a treaty was signed between Britain and Nepal to keep Nepal as an independent state.
Although Nepal officially adopted a flag in 1928, there is evidence that the country had a flag as far back as 1774AD. The non-quadrilateral design of the flag is said to have been in use when Prithvi Narayan Shah took control over the then Kathmandu Kingdom. Yet, the original flag had the sun on the upper part, which symbolized the sovereignty of the Malla Kings, who hailed from the Sun (Suryabanshi) dynasty. Since Narayan was from the moon (Chandrabanshi), he lowered the sun and placed the moon on the upper part as a symbol for his sovereignty.
The original versions of the Nepalese flag consisted of men-like faces. This is because, according to Hindu tradition, the man was made in the shape of God. Also, religion reveres the sun and the moon. In 1962, the faces were removed from the flag in a bid to make it more modern. The shape of the flag holds meaning to the Nepalese. Mostly, South-Asian flags were traditionally triangular. The triangular design was preferred as it kept the flag compact yet long and visible. However, when the British arrived in the region, they changed the flags to rectangular so that they would have more space to incorporate the Union Jack. Triangular flags were in use for about 2000 years. Thus, the Nepalese maintained the tradition of triangular flags.
The color of the flag also had a long history in South Asia. For instance, red and Saffron are sacred colors, and the Nepalese flag is red. This color symbolizes prowess and favor. A blue border was incorporated on the edges of the flag to symbolize the continuity and expansion of the Kingdom. Moreover, at one point the perimeter of the flag was green. The two points of the flag symbolize royalty and the Rana family, whereas the moon represented the King, and the sun represented the Rana family. Both the moon and the sun signifies the hope that the kingdom would continue to endure.
In the early history of Nepal, the flag represented the Sanatan religion. As a result, it came to symbolize the determination of the Nepalese to defend what their ancestors established centuries ago. The new flag borrows from the earlier versions of the flag and consists of a combination of two individual pennons that were in use for more than 2000 years. The flag used between 1928-1962 had human faces. In the upper part of the flag was a face coming out from the moon, while at the lower part was a face within the sun. In 1962, the faces were removed from the flag. This is the flag that is used up to date.
Colors
The flag of Nepal constitutes of two primary colors, red and blue. Red is a symbol of bravery and energy, as well as the country’s national flower, the rhododendron. The blue border is a symbol of peace and harmony.
Overall the flag symbolizes hope, which means that Nepalese independence will continue to endure for as long as there are the sun and the moon.
Shape
The design of the flag is of the ratio 1:1.21901033. It consists of two juxtaposed triangles of different sizes that intersect in the middle. The upper part consists of the crescent moon with eight visible rays out of the sixteen.
Conversely, the sun is made up of sixteen rays. The construction measurements for designing the flag appear in Schedule I of the constitution. The blue border appears on all sides of the flag.
Emblem
The emblems on the flag were modified on December 16th, 1962. The upper part is a stylized white-colored moon, whereas the lower part is a white sun. The emblems represent the sun and moon. They signify the hope that Nepal will endure as long as the sun and the moon are shining. The moon represents the calm nature and purity of the spirit of the Nepalese people.
There are other non-official meanings of the celestial bodies. Some believe that the moon represents the cold weather found on the Himalayas. Additionally, the triangular design of the upper part is also taken to represent the Himalayas. The sun, on the other hand, represents the high temperatures in the lowland parts of the country.
Do you know any other interesting facts about the flag of Nepal? Share your thoughts below.
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