Everyone who travels
Nepal is bound to hear at least once from either a Nepali or foreigner, “Did
you know that Nepal’s flag is the only one in the world without a rectangular
shape?” It is something that Nepali people are very proud of and foreigners are
eager to share with others. What both Nepalese and foreigners may not know is
why!
It is said that long ago, many regions had flags with
different shapes. It was actually European ships that started the trend of
rectangular shaped flags for their ships, as this fit best on the masts and the
customary cloth used to make the flags was cut into rectangular shapes. These,
in turn, gave way to flags for regions/territories conquered by the European
countries. After the much later liberation of most of the countries conquered
by European countries, most kept at least the given rectangular shape of their
flags created by their conquerors. It is another prideful fact that Nepal was
never conquered, and thus, kept their original pendant-shaped flag.
The reason there are 2 pendants
goes back to the ruling Rana dynasty. The upper moon pendant represents the
Royal house, while the lower part represents the members of the Rana family
that acted as Prime Ministers. The two pendants were joined in 1962, when the
official Nepali flag was created, along with the constitutional form of
government. It is said that this flag is the representation of the hope that
Nepal will at last live in unity. The credit for the creation of the modern
flag is documented as being given to King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
The color “crimson,” or red, in the flag is both the
national color and said to represent the bravery of Nepali people and is also
the color of luck in Hinduism. The blue colored outline in the flag is said to
represent knowledge, honesty, and tranquillity.
The use of the Sun and Moon are generally thought to give the same
meanings—the Sun coinciding with red and the Moon with blue. The motto on the
coat of arms for Nepal is: “The mother and the Mother Earth are more important
than the heavenly kingdom.”
Nepal’s flag is based on
unity, pride, respect, and passion—may we not forget this in the current time
of political strife in Nepal—Unify.
