Singapore Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Singapore’s national flag has two equal horizontal sections, red above white, with a white crescent and five stars in the upper-left. The design was created in 1959 and became the national flag at independence in 1965.
What does the Singapore flag look like?
The flag is divided horizontally into two equal halves: red above white. A white crescent and five white stars arranged in a circle sit in the upper-left red section.
What does the crescent mean?
The crescent represents a young nation on the ascendant, reflecting Singapore’s position when the flag was created during the transition to self-government.
What do the five stars represent?
The five stars represent the national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
Explore the crescent and five-star symbolism →
What do red and white mean?
Singapore’s National Symbols Act states that red symbolizes universal fellowship and equality, while white represents pervading and everlasting purity and virtue.
Who helped create the flag?
Then Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye led the committee tasked with developing a new national flag for self-governing Singapore in 1959.
When was the flag first unveiled?
The Legislative Assembly endorsed the design on November 18, 1959, and it was publicly unveiled on December 3, 1959.
When did it become the national flag?
The same design became Singapore’s national flag when the country became independent in 1965.
Read the Singapore flag history →
What is the official ratio?
The National Symbols Act specifies a 2:3 width-to-length ratio.
Singapore flag facts
| Colors | Red and white |
|---|---|
| Crescent | Young nation on the ascendant |
| Stars | 5 |
| Ratio | 2:3 |
| Created | 1959 |
| National flag | 1965 |
Singapore flag FAQ
What do the five stars stand for?
Democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
Is the crescent a religious symbol?
Officially, it represents a young nation on the ascendant.
