Flag of SingaporeRepublic of Singapore

What the flag looks like

The Singaporean flag consists of two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom). In the upper hoist corner of the red band are a white crescent moon and five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle. The proportion is 2:3. It was adopted on 3 December 1959, when Singapore became a self-governing state within the British Empire, and was retained after independence in 1965.

Colors and meaning

Red represents universal brotherhood and equality of man, and white represents pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise, and the five stars represent Singapore's national ideals — democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Red

Represents universal brotherhood and the equality of all people — an ideal that reflects Singapore's multi-ethnic society, made up of Chinese, Malay, Indian and other communities. Red is also a traditional color of prosperity and joy in Chinese and Malay cultures.

White

Represents pervading and everlasting purity and virtue — a hope for a clean and honest government and society. White is also a color of sincerity and purity in many cultures.

Crescent moon

Represents a young nation on the rise — Singapore was a newly self-governing state in 1959, and the crescent symbolized its ascendance and bright future.

Five stars

Represent Singapore's five national ideals: democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. The stars are arranged in a circle to emphasize the equality of the ideals and the unity of the nation.

Design origin

The flag was designed by a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye in 1959. The crescent and stars were chosen to reflect Singapore's Malay and Islamic heritage while being accessible to all ethnic groups, and the red-and-white color scheme was chosen partly because red and white are traditional colors in both Chinese and Malay cultures.

History and adoption

Singapore was a British colony from 1819 until 1959, when it became a self-governing state within the British Empire. The flag was designed in 1959 by a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye and was adopted on 3 December 1959, when Yusof bin Ishak was inaugurated as the first Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state). Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, using the Malaysian flag alongside its own state flag. When Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became fully independent on 9 August 1965, the 1959 flag was retained as the national flag. It has remained unchanged since.

Key facts

Adopted

3 December 1959

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Toh Chin Chye and a design committee

Capital

Singapore

Country code

SG

Similar flags

Turkey, Tunisia, Pakistan

Historical and related flags

Singapore used several flags during its colonial period and as part of Malaysia before becoming independent.

• British Singapore (1819–1959): British Union Jack and Straits Settlements flags used during colonial rule.
• Self-governing Singapore (1959–1963): Current flag adopted.
• Part of Malaysia (1963–1965): Malaysian flag used alongside Singapore's state flag.
• Republic of Singapore (1965–present): Current flag retained after independence.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Singaporean coat of arms on a red field.
• Naval ensign: White ensign with the Singaporean flag in the canton and a red lion on the fly.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Singapore look like?

The flag of Singapore is divided horizontally into red (top) and white (bottom) halves, with a white crescent moon and five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle in the upper hoist corner. The proportion is 2:3.

When was the flag of Singapore adopted?

The current flag of Singapore was officially adopted on 3 December 1959.

What do the colors mean?

Red represents universal brotherhood and equality of man, and white represents pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise, and the five stars represent Singapore's national ideals — democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

Which flags look similar to the Singapore flag?

Turkey and Tunisia use red fields with crescent and star. Pakistan uses a green field with a crescent and star. Singapore's red and white split with a crescent and five stars in a circle is unique.