The Flag of Japan - Description of the Japanese Flag
As the above picture of the Japanese Flag indicates the overall background is white
The description of the Japanese Flag is as follows:
White with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Japanese flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The basic style shown in the picture of the Japanese flag is described as Emblem - reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Japanese flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The Meaning & History of the Japanese Flag
The Japanese large red disc emblem represents the sun
It is referred to as the Hinomaru
Legend says that the flag originates in the 13th century when a Buddhist priest called Nichiren offered the sun disc flag to the Emperor of Japan in honour of the sun goddess Amaterasu who was believed to have been the Emperor's ancestor
Shoguns displayed the 'sun flag' on the Japanese ships during the 16th and 17th centuries
The name Japan, or Nippon, means "The origin of the sun" and is often translated as "The Land of the Rising Sun"
The Japanese national flag was adopted on August 13, 1999
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Japanese Flag Etiquette
Japanese Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Japanese as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Japanese
State Flag of Japanese
Military Flag of Japanese (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Japanese
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Japanese Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Japanese should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Japanese flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Japanese should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Japanese flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Japanese, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Japanese Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Japanese flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Japanese flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Japanese flag to the top, then lowering the Japanese Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Japanese flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Japanese flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Japanese flag
The Japanese flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Japanese flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Japanese flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Japanese Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Japanese Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Japan
Location:
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Japanese Land Size : 374,744 sq km
Japanese Climate / Weather : varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Japanese Population : 127,333,002 (July 2004 est.)
Japanese Capital City: Tokyo
Japanese GDP: $3.567 trillion (2003 est.)
Japanese Main Industries : motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Japanese Agricultural products : rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fish
Japanese Currency : yen (JPY)
Main Colors of the Japanese Flag : white with red emblem
Commonly mis-spelt as Japenese
Concise History of Japan & its Flag
10,000BC Upper Paleolithic known as the Jomon Era
300 BC The Yayoi period heralding new technologies and skills, many obtained from China
645 Kotoku became the emperor of Japan
794 The Heian era
1100s The Taira and the Minamoto fought for control of Japan
1180s The Minamoto clan obtained controlled of the country
1192 Yoritomo was given the title Shogun and led the government which became known as a Shogunate
1330 The Ashikaga clan seized power
1549 Saint Francis Xavier, a Portuguese missionary, arrived in Japan. The Portuguese were the most successful Europeans in initiating major trade agreements with the Japanese
1603 Tokugawa leyasu was given the title of Shogun by the emperor. This title was held by the dynasty for 265 years
1630s The Japanese broke ties with all foreigners for the next two hundred years
1854 Japan agreed to open two ports to the United States for trade
1868 The Meiji Emperor announced the official return of the imperial power and was declared a divine ruler
1895 Japan conquered Taiwan
1910 Japan conquered Korea
1914 - 1918 World War I - Japan declared war on Germany
1931 Japanese conquered Manchuria
1936 Japan signed a anti-communist pact with Germany and Italy
1940 Japan entered World War II by occupying the northern part of French Indochina
7 December 1941 Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
18 July 1944 The government headed by Prime Minister Tojo collapsed
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
2 September 1945 Japan officially surrendered and World War II ended
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
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The Japanese Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Japanese Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
