Maldives
Trivia
The red of the flag represents the blood shed for the people, green for peace and the crescent moon for Islam.
Technical Specifications
| Adopted | 25th July 1965 |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Design | A plain red field with green rectangle and white crescent in the centre. |
Brief History
Under the rule of the Huraa Dynasty the first flag of the Maldives was a plain red field. Early in the 20th Century the Dhandimathi, black and white striped vertical band, was added to the flag.
The First Flag of the Maldives
The Second Flag of the Maldives (Early 20th Century)
In 1926 the then prime minister Amir Abdul Majid Didi introduced the white crescent moon and then a green panel to the flag.
The Third Flag of the Maldives
The Flag of the Maldive Islands Protectorate
In 1953 the white crescent moon on the national flag was turned to face the right as a result of the country becoming a republic. When the Sultan was reinstated in 1954 the flag remained unchanged.
In 1959 the southern atolls of the Maldive Islands broke away to create the United Suvadive Republic. The flag adopted was a blue-green-red horizontal tricolour with three five-pointed white stars in a diagonal line and a white crescent in the centre.
The Flag of the Maldive Islands Protectorate (1953 – 1965)
The Flag of the Southern Atolls (1959 – 1963)
In 1965 the Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom and the black and white vertical band was removed from the flag.
Each element of the flag has a specific meaning. The red colour symbolises the bloodshed and boldness of the nation. The green is wealth and peace and the white crescent moon and star represents Islam.
The Flag of Maldives (1965 to Present Day)
The Emblem of the Maldives
The Emblem of the Maldives originally designed in 1940 and modified in the 1990s.
It features a golden crescent and five-pointed star in front of a palm tree and two national flags. There is also a banner stating “STATE AOF THE MAHAL DIBIYAT”.
The crescent and star symbolises Islam, coconut palm is the lively hood and tradition.
The Presidential Standard of the Maldives
The Presidential Standard of the Maldives was adopted in 1968. If is the similar to the national flag with an added five-pointed star.
The flag was also the Sultan’s Standard between 1965 and 1968.
The Roundel of the Maldives Air Force
The Roundel of the Maldives Air Force features a red, a green and a white disc representing the colours of the national flag. The roundel is often found on the side of the air force planes.
The Emblem of the Maldives National Defence Force
The Maldives National Defence Force is a shield featuring a green-white-red tower on a blue background protecting crossed swords and an anchor with the national emblem on top and a banner below.
