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
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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 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!
