Flag of MalaysiaMalaysia

What the flag looks like

The Malaysian flag, known as the Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory), consists of 14 horizontal stripes of red and white, alternating with red at the top and bottom, and a blue canton in the upper hoist corner bearing a yellow crescent moon and a yellow 14-pointed star. The proportion is 1:2. It was adopted on 16 September 1963, when Malaysia was formed from the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore.

Colors and meaning

Red represents courage and the blood shed for Malaysian independence, white represents purity and honesty, blue represents the unity of the Malaysian people and their diversity, and the yellow crescent and star represent Islam and the Malay monarchy. The 14 stripes and 14 points of the star represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the federal territories.

Red

Represents courage, strength and the blood shed by Malaysian patriots in the struggle for independence, achieved in 1957, and in defending the nation since.

White

Represents purity, honesty and the noble ideals of the Malaysian people.

Blue canton

Represents the unity of the diverse Malaysian people — Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous and others — and the harmony of the nation's many ethnic groups.

Yellow crescent and star

Yellow is the color of the Malay royal families, and the crescent represents Islam, the official religion of Malaysia. The 14-pointed star represents the 13 states of Malaysia and the federal territories — a symbol of unity among the nation's constituent parts.

14 stripes

Represent the 13 states and the federal territories. The number has been 14 since 1963, when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined the Federation of Malaya (Singapore left in 1965, but the flag was not changed).

History and adoption

The Malaysian flag is based on the flag of the Federation of Malaya, which was adopted in 1950 and featured 11 stripes and an 11-pointed star representing the 11 states of the federation. When Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963 with the addition of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, the flag was updated to 14 stripes and a 14-pointed star. After Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, the flag was not changed — the 14 stripes and 14-pointed star continued to represent the 13 remaining states and the federal territories. The flag's name, Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory), was officially adopted in 1997. The design has remained otherwise unchanged since 1963.

Key facts

Adopted

16 September 1963

Proportion

1:2

Designer

Mohamed Hamzah (original Malayan design, modified for Malaysia)

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Country code

MY

Similar flags

United States, Liberia

Historical and related flags

Malaysia's flag history includes British colonial flags, the Malayan Union and the Federation of Malaya.

• British Malaya (1896–1946): Various colonial flags for the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements.
• Malayan Union (1946–1948): British flag used during brief union period.
• Federation of Malaya (1950–1963): 11 stripes with an 11-pointed star.
• Current flag (1963–present): 14 stripes with a 14-pointed star.
• Royal standard: Uses the Malaysian coat of arms with two tigers and a crescent and star.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Malaysia look like?

The flag of Malaysia has 14 horizontal stripes of red and white, alternating with red at the top and bottom, and a blue canton in the upper hoist corner bearing a yellow crescent moon and a yellow 14-pointed star. The proportion is 1:2.

When was the flag of Malaysia adopted?

The current flag of Malaysia was officially adopted on 16 September 1963.

What do the colors mean?

Red represents courage and the blood shed for Malaysian independence, white represents purity and honesty, blue represents the unity of the Malaysian people and their diversity, and the yellow crescent and star represent Islam and the Malay monarchy. The 14 stripes and 14 points of the star represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the federal territories.

Which flags look similar to the Malaysia flag?

The United States and Liberia use red and white stripes with a blue canton. Malaysia's 14 stripes with a yellow crescent and 14-pointed star are distinct from both.