The flag of Sri Lanka
(Abstract)
The flag design has evolved since the country, previously called Ceylon, gained independence from Britain in 1948. It is only after the country used the name of Sri Lanka in 1972 that the present design was officially adopted in 1978.
The flag is based on two rectangular panels bordered with yellow. The panel next to the fly contains a yellow pattern with a lion holding a sword upright and four leaves of a fig tree on a dark red background. The panel next to the hoist is made up of two vertical green and orange bands.
There is no doubt that the final flag design intended to reflect the population of Sri Lanka in its totality, which is composed of Buddhists in its great majority, Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
- Firstly, yellow, the medium colour of the rainbow spectrum, tempers the perception of the other colours. It emphasizes the common features rather than the differences.
- Secondly, The lion holding a sword and the four leaves in the corners refer to symbolic meanings common to diverse traditions.
The flag of Sri Lanka highlights the fact that banners are, principally, gathering emblems.
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