Republic of Singapore

Flag Description

The Singapore flag was officially adopted on December 3, 1959. The white crescent represents Singapore as a new nation, the five stars symbolize democracy, equality, justice, peace and progress, while white is representative of the purity and virtue of the people, and red stands for universal brotherhood.
The Flag of Singapore consists of two horizontal halves, red above white. Red symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man; white stands for pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. In the upper left corner, a white crescent moon and five white stars form a circle. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise. The five stars stand for the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
The flag was also carefully designed to please the community. Red was chosen, as it symbolised good fortune for the Chinese and courage for the Malays. White was chosen as it was the traditional Malay and universal colour for purity. The Chinese, who were influenced by Communist China, wanted stars on the flag, while the Malays wanted a crescent moon to symbolise Islam. So, the government came to a compromise with five stars and a moon instead of the traditional star and crescent representing Islam.[1]
For over 140 years (1819-1959), the Union Flag flew over Singapore. Then, on 3 December 1959, the National Flag was unveiled at the installation of the new Head of State, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, when Singapore was granted self-government (but not complete independence) by the British Government. Also unveiled that day were the State Crest and the National Anthem. The flag was conceived and created by a committee headed by then Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Toh Chin Chye.




Background Information :

Head of State
:President S R Nathan

Head of Government
:Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Capital
:Singapore

Land area
:697.1 sq.km

Population
:4.198 million (2004)

Language
:English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil

Religion
:Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism and Hinduism

Member of
:ASEAN, ADB, APEC, ARF, COMMONWEALTH, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, IFAD, IMO, ILO, ITU, UNIDO, UPO, WHO, ASEM, EALAF, WTO, WIPO, ICAO, NAM, G77

Currency
:Singapore Dollar (S$)

GDP
:US$106,818 million (2004) at current market prices

Major Industries
:Electronics, chemicals, banking and finance, real estate, tourism, trading

Major Exports
:Petroleum products, industrial machines, radio & television receivers & parts, electronic component & parts, clothing, beverages & tobacco

Major Imports
:Crude petroleum, iron & steel, industrial machines, electric generators, electronic component and parts