India Flag Colors & Ashoka Chakra: What the Tricolour Means
India’s national flag combines saffron, white and green with a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes. The symbolism was explained during the Constituent Assembly debates that adopted the flag in 1947.
What does saffron mean?
The saffron band is associated with strength, courage and selfless dedication. In the Constituent Assembly explanation, it was linked with renunciation and placing public duty above personal gain.
What does white mean?
The white middle band represents peace and truth. It also forms the background for the Ashoka Chakra.
What does green mean?
The green band represents the land’s fertility, growth and auspiciousness, and reflects India’s relationship with the soil and plant life.
What is in the middle of the Indian flag?
The centre contains a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra, a wheel based on the Dharma Chakra appearing on the abacus of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
Why does the Ashoka Chakra have 24 spokes?
The official flag specifies 24 equally spaced spokes. The wheel represents dharma, law and movement. Official explanations emphasize that movement signifies life and progress, while stagnation represents decline.
What is the flag ratio?
The Flag Code of India specifies a 3:2 length-to-height ratio. The three horizontal color bands are equal in height.
Quick summary
| Saffron | Strength, courage, dedication |
|---|---|
| White | Peace and truth |
| Green | Fertility, growth and the land |
| Ashoka Chakra | Dharma, movement and progress |
| Spokes | 24 |
