Asia
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Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.
Proportions
1:2
Shape
Rectangular
Colors
#8D2029 · Pantone 1955 CThe maroon panel depicts the Sinhalese people; the golden lion, courage and the nation.
#FEB700 · Pantone 137 CThe orange stripe depicts the Tamil minority.
#F4C400 · Pantone 116 CThe golden border and the lion depict the whole people; gold frames and unites the flag.
#16A34A · Pantone 356 CThe green stripe depicts the Moor (Muslim) minority.
Symbols & elements
The golden lion holding a kastane sword recalls the legendary ancestor Sinhabahu and stands for the Sinhalese people, bravery and the authority of the state.
At the corners of the crimson panel, the leaves of the sacred fig stand for Buddhism and for the four brahmavihara: loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
Construction details
Proportions 1:2. A maroon panel bearing a golden lion holding a kastane sword, with a golden sacred fig (bo) leaf at each corner; at the hoist, two vertical stripes, green and orange; a golden border frames the whole.
Construction sheet
How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.
Specific rules — Sri Lanka
Common conventions
It is one of the few national flags to depict a weapon: a golden lion brandishes a curved sword.
Can you recognize this flag in Flag Reveal?
