The Maldives flag has a red field with a large green rectangle at the centre containing a white crescent. The design reflects both the country’s Islamic identity and its long-standing red flag tradition.

What does the Maldives flag look like?

A white crescent faces the fly inside a green central rectangle, which is surrounded on all sides by a red border.

What do the colors mean?

Red is associated with the courage and sacrifices of national heroes. Green represents peace and prosperity, while the white crescent represents Islam, the state religion.

History of the flag

Maldivian rulers historically used plain red flags. Green and the crescent were added during the twentieth century. The current form, with the crescent facing the fly, was adopted around independence in 1965.

Maldives flag facts

• Colors: red, green and white
• Central symbol: crescent
• Religion represented: Islam
• Current form: 1965