The
Flag of Taiwan - Description of the Taiwan Flag
The description of
the Taiwan Flag is as follows:
Red with a dark
blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white
sun with 12 triangular rays
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Taiwan flag represent theThree
Principles of the People:
Blue represents
democracy
Red represents
nationalism
White represents
people's livelihood
The
basic style shown in the picture of the Taiwan flag is
described Canton 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 Taiwan flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the
height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side )
is called the Hoist
The upper
left quarter of the flag is called the Canton
The right
half of the flag is called the Fly
The Meaning & History of the Taiwan Flag
The
emblem on the Taiwan flag pictures a white sun with 12
triangular rays which
symbolize the twelve months
The Taiwan flag was
designed by Lu Hao-tung in 1895
It was adopted as
the national flag on December 17, 1928
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
Taiwan
Flag Etiquette
Taiwan 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 Taiwan as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Taiwan
State Flag of
Taiwan
Military Flag of
Taiwan (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of
Taiwan
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Taiwan Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The National flag of
Taiwan 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 Taiwan flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Taiwan should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Taiwan flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Taiwan, 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 Taiwan Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Taiwan flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Taiwan flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Taiwan flag to the top, then lowering the
Taiwan Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Taiwan flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Taiwan flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Taiwan flag
The Taiwan 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 Taiwan
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
Taiwan flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Taiwan
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 Taiwan Flag Etiquette has provided a useful
resource
Taiwan
Location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East
China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait,
north of the Philippines, off the south-eastern coast of China
Land Size of Taiwan
: 32,260 sq km
Climate / Weather
of Taiwan : tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest
monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive
all year
Taiwan Population :
22,749,838 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) :
Formosa
Taiwan Capital
City: Taipei
Taiwan GDP: $528.6
billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries :
electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and
steel, machinery, cement, food processing
1544 The
Portuguese Taiwan, and called it the beautiful island (Ilha
Formosa)
1624 The
Dutch colonize the south of Formosa
1626 The
Spanish colonize northern Taiwan
1683 The
Manchus (Tartars) conquer Taiwan which becomes part of the
Chinese empire
1884 French
forces lead by Admiral Coubert invade northern Taiwan
1895 China
cedes Taiwan to Japan
1939 - 1945:
World War II Japan surrenders and China's Chiang Kai-shek
appoints General Chen-Yi to take over Taiwan
1946 90% of
Japanese expelled from Taiwan
1949 Chiang
Kai-shek defeated in China and flee to Taiwan
1975: Chiang
Kai-shek dies and is suceeded by his son Chiang Ching-Kuo who
ruled until 1988
"Around the World in 80
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In just a short period of time this
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The
Taiwan Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Taiwan 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!
