Flag of the Republic of China

The flag of the Republic of China, often called the flag of Taiwan, has a red background with a blue canton that holds a white circle and twelve triangles. These shapes stand for the sun and its shining rays.

This flag was created by a group working against the old Qing rulers, the Revive China Society, in 1895. The red background was added in 1906 by Sun Yat-sen. It was first used as a navy flag in mainland China in 1912 and became the official national flag of the Republic of China in 1928 under the Nationalist government.

After the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949 and the start of the People's Republic of China, this flag is no longer used in mainland China. However, it is still the flag used in the area called the "Taiwan Area". You can still see this flag in some historical museums and war cemeteries in mainland China, although showing it in public places is not allowed there because of its past meaning against communist ideas.

History

See also: Flag of the Qing dynasty, Flag of China, and Blue Sky with a White Sun

The flag of the Republic of China, often called the flag of Taiwan, has a red background with a blue square in the top left corner. Inside this blue square is a white circle with twelve small triangles around it. These symbols stand for the sun and its rays.

The design started in 1895 when a revolutionary group created the blue square with the white circle. In 1906, a red background was added to make the flag look the way it does today. It was first used as a navy flag in 1912 and became the official flag of the Republic of China in 1928.

Symbolism

The "Blue Sky with a White Sun" flag was first shown in February 1895 in Hong Kong. The twelve rays of the white Sun stand for the twelve months and twelve traditional time units, each equal to two modern hours. Sun Yat-sen added a red field to the flag to honor those who worked hard to end the Qing dynasty and start the Republic of China. The three colors of the flag stand for the Three Principles of the People: Blue for nationalism and freedom, White for democracy and fairness, and Red for the people's shared goals and friendship.

The blue and white part of the flag is often used by the KMT party. Because of Taiwan's special place in the world, the flag means many things. It shows that Taiwan is ruled by a different government than mainland China. It also connects to ideas about Chinese history and unity. Some people in China see the flag as a sign of pride in their country and dislike for the current government. Others respect the ideas of Sun Yat-sen and his Three Principles of the People.

The flag is also important because it reminds people that Taiwan is separate from mainland China, governed by its own country. Even some who want Taiwan to be fully independent support using this flag to show how Taiwan is different from mainland China.

Construction details

The specific designs of the flag are found in the National Emblem and National Flag of the Republic of China Act from 1928. The flag has a ratio of 2:3, mostly red with a blue area in the top left corner. This blue area contains a white sun with 12 rays coming out from it. The sun and rays are separated by a thin blue ring.

Later, more detailed rules were made about how to draw the blue area. These rules give exact sizes for every part of the flag. The sun with its rays takes up most of the height of the blue area, and the white sun itself is a smaller circle inside it. The colors of the flag are red, white, and blue. Both the national flag and the party flag should have a golden decoration on top.

Uses

In the early years of the Republic, the flag was shown alongside the flag of the KMT party. It was often displayed with a portrait of Sun Yat-sen in the middle. Later, rules were made about how to show the flag, and today it is used in many places in Taiwan.

The flag is seen everywhere in Taiwan. When it is raised or lowered, people stand and show respect. Schoolchildren often watch the flag being raised each morning. Before 1987, cars had to stop when they saw a flag ceremony.

The flag now means different things to different people. Some in Taiwan want to keep the flag because it reminds them of shared history, while others want a new flag just for Taiwan. This difference can be seen in political events, where some groups use the flag and others use different colors and symbols.

Among overseas Chinese communities, some choose to fly the ROC flag to show support for democracy and to honor Sun Yat-sen's legacy. However, in places like Hong Kong, showing this flag has become harder due to stricter rules.

Under the laws of the Republic of China, harming or showing disrespect toward the flag, the emblem, or the portrait of Sun Yat-sen can lead to penalties, including fines or short prison terms.

Flag gallery

Main article: List of Taiwanese flags

Further information: List of Chinese flags

Subdivisions

[Taiwan Province](/wiki/Taiwan_Province)

[Kaohsiung](/wiki/Kaohsiung)

[New Taipei](/wiki/New_Taipei)

[Taichung](/wiki/Taichung)

[Tainan](/wiki/Tainan)

[Taipei](/wiki/Taipei)

[Taoyuan](/wiki/Taoyuan,_Taiwan)

Military flags

Armed Forces

[Army](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Army)

[Navy](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Navy)

[Air Force](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Air_Force)

[Marine Corps](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Marine_Corps)

[Military Police](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Military_Police)

[Armed Forces Reserve](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Armed_Forces_Reserve)

[Combined Logistics Command](/wiki/Republic_of_China_Joint_Logistics_Command)

Historical flags

See also: List of Chinese flags and List of Japanese flags

National flags

18 star flag; banner of the [Wuchang Uprising](/wiki/Wuchang_Uprising) subsequently used as the flag of the army of the Republic of China

19 star flag; a flag of the army of the Republic of China, c. 1913–1928

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  First national flag of the Republic of China (1912–1928)

Current flag of the Republic of China (1928–present, in Taiwan after 1945). Also used as a naval ensign of the ROC since 1912.

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  The Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China, a Japanese puppet state during World War II, was based on the Flag of the Republic of China.

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  The "Blue Sky with a White Sun flag" was designed by Lu Haodong in 1895 and is still used as the naval jack of the Republic as well as the flag of the Kuomintang (KMT).