The National Flag of the Republic of China

The National Flag represents the country. Honour of the National Flag, is honour of the country. The National Flag of the Republic of China (中華民國) is the Flag of Blue Sky (青天), White Sun (白日) and Full Red Earth (滿地紅).

The National Flag of Blue Sky, White Sun and Full Red Earth is originally a military flag of the 1911 Revolution. It was designed in 1892 by the revolutionary martyr Lu Hao-tung (陸皓東 1868-1895) in Hong Kong.

On 30 June in the 13th year of the Republic (1924), the Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party 中國國民黨) authorized the flag of Blue Sky, White Sun and Full Red Earth to be used as the National Flag.

In the 17 year of the Republic (1928), the Chinese Kuomintang emerged victorious in the Northern Expedition (國民革命軍北伐 1926-1928), and secured the unification of China. On 17 December the National Government ratified the statute to use the National Flag of Blue Sky, White Sun and Full Red Earth throughout the country.

On 23 December in the 43rd year of the Republic (1954), the Executive Yuan promulgated the National Emblem and National Flag of the Republic of China Act. Clear rules were laid down for the designs, proportions and applications of the National Emblem and National Flag.

Lined drawing of the National Flag

The National Flag has three colours, each colour has its profound meanings.

The colour white represents light and grandness, like the sun illuminating the world. White is a symbol of compassion, the goal is for all Chinese to emulate the sun, giving warmth to all beings without preference. The twelve rays of the White Sun represent the twelve hours of the day and the twelve months of the year. All Chinese are encouraged to develop themselves unremittingly, to strive for the prospects of individual well-being, more so, to strive for the prospects of national well-being, so that the Republic of China can illuminate and benefit the world.

The colour blue represents justice, and like the sky, fair to all, covering the world. Blue is a symbol of righteousness, the goal is for all Chinese to pursue equal rights, equal obligations and the Confucian World of Universal Harmony.

The colour red represents blood and sacrifice, like the blood of martyrs that awash the earth. Blood is a symbol of freedom, the goal is for all Chinese to fight for the freedom of the country, the freedom of the people, even at the expense of life. The existence of the Republic of China today, is indebted to the scores of millions who sacrificed their own lives in exchange for the life of the country, during the historical events of the Northern Expedition (國民革命軍北伐 1926-1928), the Bandit Suppression Campaign (剿匪戰爭1927-1937), the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (抗日戰爭 1937-1945) and the National Mobilization for the Suppression of Communist Rebellion (全國總動員戡平共匪叛亂 1947-1991). All Chinese should resolve to live up to the sacrifices of the past, which has been as incalculable as an ocean of blood and tears.

Diagram of the National Flag