Singapore

The flag of Singapore comprises two horizontal halves, the top half being red and the bottom half being white. The colour red is said to symbolise universal brotherhood and the equality of man whilst the colour white is said to stand for the purity and virtue of the Singaporean people. In the upper left corner of the red half of the flag sits a white crescent moon alongside five white five pointed stars in a circular arrangement. The crescent moon is said to stand for the new nation whilst the five stars are said to symbolise the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

From 1819 to 1959, the Union Jack flag flew in Singapore as the default national flag. The present day flag of Singapore was adopted on December 3 1959 following the granting of self government to the city state by Great Britain. The flag was preserved when Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 and then again when Singapore became fully independent in 1965.

The flag of Singapore flies