Flag of Singapore

What the flag of Singapore looks like

The national flag of Singapore is divided into two equal horizontal halves: red above and white below. The proportions are 2:3. In the top left corner, on the red half, there is a white crescent moon with its points facing the fly (the side away from the pole). Next to it is a ring of five white five-pointed stars, placed in a circle that fits inside the open part of the crescent.

The flag has no other emblem. The crescent and the stars stay in a fixed place and are drawn to a specified size, so the flag looks the same on every pole. The red-and-white pattern is also used for the Singapore flag emoji.

Singapore flag meaning and symbolism

The official explanation is set out by the government. Red symbolizes universal brotherhood and the equality of man, and white stands for pure and everlasting virtue. The crescent moon represents a young country on the rise, and the five stars stand for the ideals on which the nation is built: democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

The crescent and stars are sometimes mistaken for an Islamic sign, as they appear on several flags of Muslim-majority countries. In Singapore's case the government has explained them as national ideals instead of religious symbols. The five stars do not stand for ethnic groups or islands, although this is a common guess.

History of the Singapore flag

Singapore was a British trading post and then a British colony. It was part of the Straits Settlements from 1826, and the flags used were the British ones with local badges. During the Second World War the island was occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945 and flew the Japanese flag.

The current flag was introduced when Singapore gained internal self-government in 1959. A committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye designed it, and it was first hoisted on 3 December 1959, when the State of Singapore's flag and state crest were unveiled at the same time.

When Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963, the flag stayed in use as the state flag, and when it separated and became fully independent on 9 August 1965, it became the national flag of the new republic. The design has not changed since. National Day on 9 August is the main occasion when the flag is flown.

Rules for displaying the Singapore flag

Singapore has laws on how the flag may be used. The Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act describes the design and the correct way to display it. The flag must be shown with the crescent at the top left and the red half above the white. It is not to be flown upside down, torn, or in a damaged state, and it should not be used in advertising in a way that mocks or lowers the flag. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to display it around National Day.

Singapore flag vs Indonesia flag

The flags of Singapore and Indonesia are often compared because both are red above white. The difference is easy to see. Singapore's flag has the white crescent and five stars on the red half, while Indonesia's is plain. Monaco has the same two colors and no emblem, with a shape closer to a square, and Poland has white above red. The similarity is a coincidence, since each country chose its colors for its own reasons. See all flags of the world to compare more.