National Flag
Image via Wikipedia
The national flag of Nepal is the world’s only national flag that is non-quadrilateral in shape. Its crimson red is the color of the rhododendron, the country’s national flower. Red is also the sign of victory in war. The blue border is the color of peace. Until 1962, the flag’s emblems, the sun and the crescent moon, had human faces. They were removed to modernize the flag. The flag borrows the basic design from the original Hindu design, which has been in use for more than 2,000 years.
Meaning behind the flag:
The blue border symbolizes the peace and harmony. The crimson red is Nepal’s national color, and it indicates the brave spirits of the Nepalese people. The two triangles symbolize the Himalaya Mountains and represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolizes that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolizes fierce resolve. The moon also symbolizes the shades and the cool weather of the Himalayas, whereas the sun symbolizes the heat and the high temperature at the lower part (Terai) of Nepal. Another interpretation: The flag’s shape symbolizes a Nepalese pagoda. Putting a mirror at the side of the flag closest to the flagpole will generate an image of a pagoda.
Often called the “Battle Cry” here is a national song that talks about our national flag:
Written by Gopal Prasad Rimal
Composed by Amber Gurung
Sung by Amber Gurung and Fatte Man Rajbhandari
Listen to it here, the first one is the original version and while the second one is a remix by 1974 AD, a popular rock band from Nepal:
Lyrics
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya
Himal jhain aatal yo, jhukena ko kahile
Latrana yo kahile, jungi nishan hamro
Yo janmadai jagat ma kayoun prahara aaye
Samrajya dubi hare, harena shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya
Jaba samma chhandra surya aakash ma rahanchha
Taba samma hunchha aafnai rato ragar yo hamro
Gai sari chhan sankhu jo jo yahan jagat ma
Sabako saran baljhiyo jungi nishan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Rato ra chhandra surya…
