FLAG OF SINGAPORE: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Singapore consists of two horizontal stripes of the same thickness (one red and one white) with a design of a crescent moon and five stars to its right above the red zone. The current design of the banner has been in effect since 1965, following the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia.

It is one of the many national pavilions in the world that features the moon in its design. However, unlike the rest, this one does not represent Islam; being rather the symbolism of a young growing nation.

Flag of Singapore. National Flag not subjected to copyright laws.

Singapore was under English occupation until its independence in 1959, which influenced the design of its flags until then. The Asian country long used a blue background flag with the British insignia on top of the side of the mast.

History

Flag of the Colonies of the Strait (1867-1942)

The presence of the British in Singapore first appeared in 1819. Throughout the 19th century, the great European powers were fighting each other for control of maritime trade, which led to various conflicts on the coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia, as they were important ports for the export and import of goods to China.

When English Governor Thomas Stamford Raffles first arrived in Singapore, he understood how important the territory could be to English trade. Exactly in 1819, the British signed a treaty to take control of the island before the eyes of the locals.

In 1867 the Colonies of the Straits were founded, which were the three fundamental British colonies for the trade of the British East India Company, one of the largest trading companies in the history of the country. The country consisted of three colonies, which are represented on the flag's shield by the crowns on the right side of the flag.

Flag of the Colonies of the Strait (1874 - 1942). By Himasaram in the Public domain

Flag during the Japanese occupation (1942 - 1946)

The Second World War brought as a consequence the occupation of Singapore by the Japanese troops, as the island was a key strategic point in the struggle for control over the Pacific.

The four years of Japanese control in Singapore caused the country to use the flag of Japan during official events, which continued until the liberation of the country after the Japanese surrender and the American victory.

Flag of the Empire of Japan waved in Singapore during the occupation in World War II. By FDRMRZUSA - Own work. Public domain.

Flag of the Singaporean colony of the English Crown (1946 - 1952)

After World War II the number of colonies that the British had in the Pacific changed as a result of the postwar treaties. Thus, the only country that remained part of the Strait Colonies was Singapore.

Therefore, the number of crowns used by the flag went from three to only one, to more clearly represent the number of British colonies in the region. The flag was similar to the previous one, with the only exception that it changed the position of the crown and was placed in the center of the right shield.

Flag of the Singaporean Colony of the English Crown (1946 - 1952). By User: Zscout370. Public domain.

Second flag of the Singaporean colony of the English Crown (1952 - 1959)

The flag of the Singaporean Colony changed in 1952. The design was the same, but the crown representing the colony changed from a male crown to a female crown. This happened because that same year the King of England George VI died and Queen Elizabeth II inherited the crown.

The change not only occurred in the flag of Singapore, but also in all other flags of English colonies that had the crown in their design. In Africa, for example, this happened with the Nigerian flag.

Second flag of the Singaporean Colony of the English Crown (1952 - 1959). By Fry1989. Public domain.

Flag of Singapore (1959 - 1962)

Starting in 1952, the Singapore government had already begun to make certain strategic moves within the legislative council to begin governing the territory independently of the decisions of the British Crown. However, it was not until 1959 that Singapore achieved its full autonomy and the flag that represents the country today was designed.

The five stars of the flag are said to have been adopted, initially, to please the country's Chinese population. The design was approved on November 30 of that same year by the Legislative Assembly of the country.

Flag of Singapore. National Flag not subjected to copyright laws.

Federation of Malaysia (1962-1965)

In 1962, Singapore joined Malaysia for a few years. The Federation of Malaysia had the official flag of the country as its banner, but the alliance did not manage to be durable due to political conflicts with Indonesia and the same nations that made up the federation. Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965, regaining its independence and the current national flag.

The Malaysian national flag was officially flown in Singapore during the few years that the country belonged to the Federation of Malaysia and, although the previous flag was still used in some buildings, all countries of the federation had the flag of Malaysia. Malaysia as its official banner.

Flag of Singapore within the Federation of Malaysia (1962 - 1965). National Flag not subjected to copyright laws.

Second adoption of the 1959 flag (since 1965)

After the end of the Federation of Malaysia, Singapore once again declared itself an independent nation and adopted the use of the flag created in 1959. Since 1965, this flag has been in force in the country and has not been modified at all. It is considered by many as a symbol of national pride.

Flag of Singapore. National Flag not subjected to copyright laws.

Meaning

According to the Singapore government itself, the country's flag represents the values ​​and beliefs of all citizens of the nation. Red does not represent blood, unlike most national flags that use this color. Rather, it represents unity and brotherhood among Singaporeans. In turn, white represents purity and virtue.

The moon represents a young nation that is growing, and each star that accompanies it represents one of the ideals of the country: democracy, progress, peace, justice and equality.

References

1. National Flag of Singapore, National Heritage Board, (nd). Taken from nhb.gov.sb
2. Malaysia, Wikipedia, 2019. Taken from Wikipedia.org
3. Flag of Singapore, Wikipedia, 2019. Taken from Wikipedia.org
4. History of Singapore, Wikipedia, 2019. Taken from Wikipedia.org
5. What Do the Colors and Symbols of the Flag of Singapore Mean? World Atlas Website, (nd). Taken from worldatlas.com
6. Flag of Singapore, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018. Taken from Britannica.com