Singapore Flag

Singapore's flag was adopted in 1959, when Singapore gained self-government under the British Empire. When the country earned independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965, it used this flag as its national flag. The design contains a red backdrop with a white crescent moon facing a canton of five white five-pointed stars in the upper-left corner. The colors red and white symbolise international brotherhood and equality, while the crescent moon and stars reflect a rising nation and national values.

It is worth noting that the national flag is not used as an ensign at sea. Instead, merchant and pleasure vessels fly a red civil ensign with a variant of the crescent and stars emblem in the center, while non-military government vessels, such as coast guard ships, fly a blue state ensign with the national flag in the canton and an eight-pointed red and white compass rose in the lower fly. Naval warships, on the other hand, fly a naval flag that looks like the state ensign but has a white backdrop and a red compass rose insignia.

Finally, the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act governs the use and display of the national flag. From July 1st to September 30th, private persons may use the flag in alternative designs as long as they are not derogatory.