Bangladesh Flag Story
The Red and Green: A symbol of sacrifice, nature, and independence.
Colors: yellow, white, black, red
Pattern: Yellow field with two diagonal stripes and emblem
The Bangladeshi Flag: Red Circle on Green
The flag of Bangladesh, with its striking red circle on a green background, is a powerful symbol of the nation's identity, struggle for independence, and natural beauty.
History
The current design of the Bangladeshi flag was adopted officially on January 17, 1972, shortly after the country gained independence. However, its origins date back to the Bangladesh Liberation War:
- The flag was designed by Shib Narayan Das, a student activist, and was first hoisted on March 2, 1971, at the University of Dhaka.
- It became the emblem of the Bangladesh liberation movement during the war of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
- The original design had a yellow map of Bangladesh inside the red circle, which was later removed for simplicity.
Design and Symbolism
The Bangladeshi flag consists of a red circle on a green background:
- The green field represents the lush vegetation and natural beauty of Bangladesh.
- The red circle symbolizes the rising sun and the blood shed by those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Bangladesh.
- The ratio of the flag's length to its width is 10:6.
- The red circle is slightly off-center, shifted towards the hoist side, to create a sense of balance when the flag is flying.
Cultural Significance
The flag of Bangladesh holds deep cultural and emotional significance for Bangladeshis:
- It's prominently displayed during national holidays, particularly Independence Day (March 26) and Victory Day (December 16).
- The flag is a source of national pride and unity, representing the country's hard-won independence.
- It's often featured in patriotic songs, art, and literature.
- The colors of the flag are frequently used in national sports team uniforms and cultural celebrations.
Interesting Facts
- The Bangladeshi flag is one of the few national flags that doesn't contain the colors blue, white, or red stripes.
- The flag's design is simple enough that children can easily draw it, which was one of the considerations during its creation.
- In 2013, Bangladesh set a world record for the largest human flag, formed by 27,117 volunteers.
- The flag is sometimes referred to as "Lal Shobuj" in Bengali, meaning "Red and Green."
The flag of Bangladesh continues to be a powerful symbol of national identity, representing the country's struggle for independence, its natural beauty, and the aspirations of its people.