Flag of China
The national flag of the People’s Republic of China consists of a red field with a yellow 5-pointed star in the upper left corner of the flag. Four smaller 5-pointed stars are located at the left side of the larger star, angled on a curve.
Symbolism
There are conflicting and controversial interpretations over the colors and symbols in the Chinese flag. A set of interpretations states the following:
- red field: symbolizes the Communist Revolution and the blood shed by revolutionary martyrs who fought for its cause;
- large 5-pointed star: represents the Communist Party in China;
- four smaller stars: represents the four classes of Chinese that could be united during Mao’s time, namely the peasants, the workers, small business class, and Chinese non-governmental businessmen;
- Yellow stars: signify the bright future of Communism in China.
Much can also be said about the positioning of the stars. One point of the larger star points up the flag while each of the smaller stars has one point aiming towards the center of the larger star. This positioning is said to signify that the Communist Party is the core of the leadership in China.
Alternative interpretations on the colors and symbols of the flag provide the following analysis:
- red field: represents the traditional color of the Chinese people;
- five stars: represents the five biggest ethnic groups in China;
- four smaller stars: represents the four categories of the people in the state, namely workers, farmers, intellectuals, and businessmen;
- Yellow stars: represent the splendid history and culture of the Chinese people.
History
The current Chinese flag was adopted on October 1, 1949 after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. It was designed by Zeng Liansong, an artist and economist from Rui'an, Zhejiang. His design was one of the more than three thousand entries received for a Chinese national flag competition, as circulated by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in July 1949.
After many alterations on the design, it was finally approved by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on September 27, 1949. The final design was that of a flag with a solid red background. Found in the upper hoist side of the flag is a large yellow 5-pointed star with four smaller yellow 5-pointed stars, arranged in a vertical arc towards the middle of the flag.
It was unveiled at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 1949 by Mao Zedong. It was also the formal declaration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Alternative Designs
Other designs featuring a large star with four other stars were also considered. One of these alternative designs showed the four smaller stars in a vertical line below the larger star. This design was rejected as the design would suggest class incompatibilities and struggles.
The other design resembles the present flag of the PRC, although this design had the hammer and sickle in red inside a large golden star. The Communist symbol was removed as the PRC was not to become a Communist state.
