Buddhist Flag
Flag NameBuddhist Flag
Country NameN/A (Pan-Buddhist)
Date Adopted1885-04-28
Adoption Statusofficial
Aspect Ratio2:3
Primary ColorsBlue, Yellow, Red, White, Orange
Symbolism DescriptionThe colors of the flag symbolize the aura that emanated from the Buddha's body when he attained Enlightenment:
- Blue (Nīla): The spirit of universal compassion and peace.
- Yellow (Pīta): The Middle Path, avoiding extremes, emptiness.
- Red (Lohita): The blessings of practice, achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune, and dignity.
- White (Odāta): The purity of the Dharma, leading to liberation, timelessness.
- Orange (Mañjeṭṭha): The wisdom of the Buddha's teachings, the essence of Buddhism.
The sixth stripe (Pabhassara), a composite of the five colors, represents the comprehensive truth of the Buddha's teachings, which is universal.
Symbolism Categoriesreligion
DesignerHenry Steel Olcott
Related FlagsFlag of Sri Lanka, Flag of Thailand, Flag of Myanmar
Description
The Buddhist Flag is a flag designed in 1885 by the Colombo Committee to symbolize Buddhism. It features six vertical stripes, representing the aura (prabashvara) that emanated from the Buddha's body when he attained Enlightenment. The first five stripes are blue, yellow, red, white, and orange, while the sixth stripe (on the fly) is a composite of the first five colors in horizontal bands.
