Kyrgyzstan’s national flag has a red field with a golden sun of 40 straight rays surrounding a red tunduk, the circular roof opening of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. The basic flag dates from 1992, while the sun rays were redesigned in 2023.

What does the Kyrgyzstan flag look like?

A golden sun fills the centre of the red field. Inside the sun is the crossed-roof pattern of a tunduk. Since the December 2023 legal change, the 40 sun rays are straight rather than wavy.

What do the symbols mean?

The 40 rays are traditionally associated with the 40 tribes united in the epic story of Manas. The tunduk represents the home, family and the wider unity of the nation. Red is also connected with the legendary banner of Manas.

History of the flag

The flag was first approved on March 3, 1992 after independence from the Soviet Union. Parliament amended the state-symbol law in December 2023 and President Sadyr Japarov signed the change, replacing the wavy rays with straight rays.

Kyrgyzstan flag facts

• Original adoption: March 3, 1992
• Sun rays: 40
• Central symbol: tunduk
• Latest design change: December 2023