Introduction
The national flag of Nepal, known as the “Nepal Ko Jhanda” in Nepali, stands out as the only flag in the world with an irregular shape (i.e. Non-Rectangular in Shape). This unique flag is a simplified fusion of two separate pennons, forming what is known as a double pennon. The color crimson red on the flag symbolizes bravery and also represents Nepal’s national flower, the rhododendron. On the other hand, the blue border signifies peace.
The current flag of Nepal was adopted on December 16, 1962, coinciding with the establishment of a new constitutional government. At the request of King Mahendra, a civil engineer named Shankar Nath Rimal, standardized the design of the flag. It draws inspiration from the original traditional design used throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Before 1962, the flag featured human faces on both the sun and crescent moon emblems, but these were removed to give the flag a more modern appearance.
History
Historically, triangular flags were prevalent in many South Asian states. A French book from 1928 featuring Nepal shows a double-pennant flag with a green border instead of the modern blue. Various forms of pennant-type flags were also used in Hindu and Buddhist temples across Nepal. According to various accounts, King Prithvi Narayan Shah is credited with the creation of the double-pennant flag. The flag of the ancient Gorkha kingdom initially started as a single triangular war banner of the Shah kings, featuring red color and various symbols representing deities. After the unification of small principalities by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the double-pennant flag became the standard. While other states adopted rectangular or square flags following European vexillological traditions, Nepal has maintained its ancient triangular flag tradition.
Some historians suggest that the Rana ruler Jung Bahadur modified the sun and moon symbols to depict faces, representing the kings as Rajputs of the Lunar dynasty and the Rana themselves as Rajputs of the Solar dynasty. On the upper pennant, there is a moon symbol which represents the Royal house, while the lower pennant displays a sun symbol representing the Rana family. Both faces on the flag are depicted with ears and a “tilak,” which is a mark on the forehead associated with Vishnu, a Hindu deity.
The current flag of Nepal was adopted on December 16, 1962, under the Nepalese constitution. It appears to be a combination of the flag used by the ancient Mustang Kingdom and the ongoing flag of the former Gorkha Kingdom. The color gradients were borrowed from the Mustang Kingdom’s flag. Prior to 1962, the sun and moon symbols on the flag featured human faces. The constitution dedicated a section to specify the precise size and shape of the flag due to incorrect drawings made by the public. This section continues to be included in the constitution, despite multiple constitutional changes in the country.
During the drafting of the new constitution in May 2008, some political parties proposed changes to the flag’s design, as they believed it symbolized Hinduism and monarchy. However, this proposal was ultimately rejected.
Symbolism and Meaning:
- The Crimson Red Color:
- The crimson red color represents the bravery of the Nepali people and serves as the national color of the country.
- The Blue Border:
- Blue border signifies peace, harmony, and unity among the diverse religious and ethnic groups that form the vibrant tapestry of Nepali society.
- The moon and The sun:
- It permanence of Nepal and the hope that the country will endure like these celestial entities.
- The moon also represents the cool weather of the Himalayas, while the sun symbolizes the heat and high temperatures of the southern lowlands, known as the Terai region.
- Furthermore, the stylized moon reflects the calm nature and purity of spirit of the Nepali people, whereas the stylized sun represents their determined and fierce resolve.
