B28 HOME | | FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2019 | Flying high THE JOURNEY Flags are national symbols – a form of Prime Minister was tasked by It has been 60 years since then and BEHIND THE FLAG identity as well as a way to convey the ideas, then Prime Minister to create a now has its own unique and distinct ag as Despite its short history, ambitions and values of a nation or new ag and state crest to mark its well as identity. Celebrate this anniversary by Singapore has own several organisation. When Singapore became a fully independence. Dr Toh and his team completed learning more about Singapore’s history and ags since its modern founding self-governing state in 1959, then Deputy the special assignment in two months. ag with The Straits Times. in 1819. Below is a list of the past ags that have own over the island as well as key events leading up to the adoption of Singapore’s modern ag today. BLUEPRINT OF A 2 3 The The ve stars Red Ratio Represents a young nation on the ascent. It They represent Singapore’s (Pantone 032) The Singapore ag can be 1819-1826 was added after discussions with Malay PAP ideals of democracy, The red stands for universal brotherhood and equality of reproduced in any size but it Flag of the British members and removed any apprehension that peace, progress, justice man. It was also picked by Dr Toh for its association with has to follow the ratio of 3:2 East India Company Singapore was a Chinese state. and equality. prosperity and happiness, suitable for a new nation. (length:breadth). When Sir Thomas Stamford Raf es landed in Malaya, a trading post was established in Singapore under the British East India Company.

1819-1826 Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (Union Flag) Flown as a sign of British conquest.

1826-1942; 1945-1946 Flag of the This is the ag of the group of British territories in South-east Asia.

Image is a design 1939 blueprint of the Start of World War II. Singapore ag (drawn in 1959) superimposed on ag colours.

1942-1945 White (Pantone White) Japanese Occupation of Singapore. The white stands for pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. It also represents unity as seven colours in the visible spectrum make white.

1942-1945 Flag of the Japanese Imperial Army 1945 End of World War II.

WHAT THE FLAG COAT OF ARMS/ • The national coat of arms was 1946 NATIONAL IDENTITY designed by Dr Toh’s team along Straits Settlements COULD HAVE BEEN STATE CREST with the National Flag. dissolved. • Dr Toh and his team created I didn’t want any • It consists of a red shield bearing a various versions of the ag, con ict. I wanted a white crescent moon and ve white including an all-red one, an stars, supported by a lion and a all-blue one, and a clear-cut Singapore tiger. Below the shield is a banner blue-and-white one with the inscribed with “” emblem at the left or centre. ag, unique to us only. (Malay for ”Onward Singapore”). 1946-1959 Initially, there were only three • The colours and symbols on the Flag of Colony of stars instead of the current ve. shield bear the same meaning as Singapore • He was initially not in favour those on the ag. of a red-and-white colour • The lion represents Singapore (Lion 1959 scheme as it was too DR TOH CHIN CHYE, Deputy Prime City), while the tiger symbolises the Singapore becomes a similar to the ags of Minister of Singapore (1959-1968) and close economic and political ties self-governing state; Poland and Indonesia. head of the team that designed between Singapore and the then current ag designed and ’’Singapore’s ag and coat of arms. Federation of . endorsed, along with state crest and National Anthem.

The National Flag * EXCEPTIONS: was unveiled on GUIDELINES FOR FLYING THE FLAG IN SINGAPORE During the period of National Day Dec 3, 1959, at the celebrations (July 1 to City Hall steps, Sept 30), there is greater during the exibility in the use of installation of then the National Flag to head of state Yusof encourage more people Ishak. The ag was to y the ag. In addition adopted as the to the exceptions made ofcal ag of here, the ag may also Must be own Must be in a Needs to be Should be Should be Must not be be own on vehicles and Singapore when it only from a ag position of properly lowered before cleaned when visible when displayed on costumes gained pole* honour (left or illuminated at bad weather if dirty and hung outdoors and personal attire as independence middle) night* safe* replaced when like laundry or long as it is treated with in 1965. faded disposed of respect.

OTHER FACTS ABOUT THE FLAG

1959-Present Flag of Singapore

1963-1965 Flag of Federation of Malaysia

1965 Singapore gains 30m x 20m 1,247kg 1960 6 2002 independence. The size of the Singapore ag The weight of a fully rigged ag The rst time the ag was used to The number of countries which The year that some of the used during the National Day used for the ypast. It takes a represent Singapore in the adopted their ags in the same Singapore ags used in the Busan Parade state ypast since 1987. team of 25 soldiers one hour to Summer Olympics held in Rome, year as Singapore. The ag of the Asian Games medal ceremonies Sources: NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD, The ag size had been increased prepare the ag for the ypast. where Tan Howe Liang won Ivory Coast shares the same were printed wrongly, with the NATIONAL LIBRARY SINGAPORE, THE NEW PAPER through the years from a 3m by Singapore its rst silver medal. adoption day as Singapore stars inverted. 2m ag in 1970-1986. – Dec 3, 1959. ST GRAPHICS: BILLY KER, LEE YU HUI