Flags the
world over differ in design and colors. But nothing is more different than the Nepali flag. All other flags are quadrilateral. Nepal's flag however is a combination of two single pennants. This is the testament of how entrenched Hinduism is in the country as Hindu flags are shaped just like the
flag of Nepal - a pennon. But while the shape of Nepal's flag is about the religious inclination of the country, the reason for the two pennons is a secular one, but nevertheless, still deeply entrenched in the history and tradition of the country of Nepal.
The Himalayan country of Nepal was ruled by a monarchy until recently when the country's constituent assembly voted to become a republic. The country was ruled by the Rana dynasty for more than 200 years. The two pennons in the Nepali flag represent the different branches of the country's previous rulers. The color of the flag is that of the flower rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. This color also signifies victory in war. The border of the flag is blue, which is the color of peace and harmony which has been prevalent in the region since the time of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in Nepal. Until 1962, the Nepali flag's emblem, the sun and the crescent moon had human faces. The human faces were removed to modernize the flag.
Nepal right now is at a crossroads. With the Maoist party in power, they have declared the country as a secular state abolishing the time honored official status as a Hindu Kingdom. With this much changes, one wonders if they are also going to change their national symbol, the unique Nepali flag, specially because of the religious and monarchical symbolism embedded in it. If that happens, truly the flag of Nepal will become a thing of the past, and probably a souvenir worth keeping.
by:
The Flagman
