Some Nepali people think the current national flag of Nepal, triangular and only such in the world, needs to be changed while others think it’s unique and it’s okay. UWB received an article by Prakash Bom about the necessity of the new flag and a photo of “a model flag for the People’s Republic of Nepal” from Shree Shrestha.
I wish the Nepali leaderships had spoken about the need of a new national flag for a new democratic Nepal before the elections of the constituent assembly. I dream of a national flag of the peaceful stars on the horizon of the summit of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) for new democratic Nepal. The number of peaceful stars will get derived from the restructuring of the state under the Federal Democratic government system.
First of all the people did not choose the current national flag, but accepted for granted as given by the feudal oligarchic regimes to lay the Hindu patriotic values. Many of us are caught up with its unique shape without realizing its connotations with the Hindu nationalism that sustains on the royalist values.
We have decided to change the national anthem (article on English). We have suspended the monarchy. We are about to print our national currency with the pillar of national glory – the Sagarmatha. It is time for new democratic Nepal to think over changing the national flag that can symbolize our true nationalism and the value.
Our nationalism rises up to the pinnacle of the Mount Everest and our national values and pride reach to the glory of Buddha, Ansubarma, Bhirkuti and Arniko. That is how Nepal has been recognized and appreciated in the world. On the glory of our true nationalism and pride we have to begin building our new prosperous democratic Nepal.
Our new democratic national flag must be able to embrace our diverse ethnicity, culture, religions, gender, and inhabitance of different geographical regions with the promise to guarantee our civil liberty and human rights; with the federal democratic electoral system for governing our constituents by the elected representatives from each constituent residence. We must transcend all impediments to create a flag of the nation, which can unit us all to serve the nation.
Current national flag of Nepal:
The national flag of Nepal (left) is the only non-quadrangular national flag, and one of only two non-rectangular official jurisdictional flags in the world (the other is the flag of the American state of Ohio). The flag is a simplified combination of two single pennants that represent, for some, the mountains of Nepal while for others the Hindu flags. The flag was adopted, with the formation of a new constitutional government, on December 16, 1962. The individual pennants had been used for the last two centuries and the double pennant since the 19th century.
The blue border denotes peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the country since the age of Gautam Buddha, who was born in Nepal. The crimson color is Nepal’s national color, and it indicates the brave spirit of the Nepalese people. The structure of flag has been the topic of great discussions in recent times, especially in the Constituent Assembly, as Maoists have expressed their wish to change the flag saying the triangles denote that Nepal is a Hindu Country. For them, Sun (surya) and Moon (chandra) denote the ancient Hindu rulers Surya Gupta and Chandra Gupta. It has been clear in the past several months (in late 2009) that overwhelming majority of Nepali people support the current flag arguing that the triangles represent Nepal’s world famous mountains and Sun and Moon symbolize eternal Nepal. Indeed, a very very popular song says:
Rato ra chhandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamroJaba samma chhandra surya aakash ma rahanchha
Taba samma hunchha aafnai rato ragat yo hamro[The red flag, with Sun and Moon on it, is symbol of our pride that shines just like the blood that flows in us.]
It’s true that triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolizes that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolizes fierce resolve.
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Comments
311 responses to “On the National Flag of Nepal”
no need to change our unique flag
1st of all change yr mentality the people of Nepal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey man naya Nepal means naya soch in people naya rule in the country and naya districon to view the nation and citizens. it doesn’t mean changing every existing thing. Our triangular flag has great respect in the world.it speaks the nature of the Nepalese people. If any thing that should be changed along with naya Nepal then that is the corrupt and selfish nature on Nepali people who are in the reputed positions as government officers and ministers…..
Ria, on June 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm Said:
where is the moon and the color blue which symbolise peace n coolness ??????????????
Blood is boiling in Nepal. Madhesis are trying to disintegrate. Tharus are up in arms. Almost dead Girija is not ready to give up the power yet. King is gone and Prince is about to go on exile. Maoists and YCL are ready to intervene Nepal Army. Students are in the streets.
Ria, if you want live on symbolism, that’s okay. But the reality is our flag should represent our anger. Rising sun on the red is what we are and what we will become.
Mr. shree shrestha r u gone MAD..don’t u have any work to do..why on earth u wanted to change our NATIONAL FLAG ?…
if u don’t have any work to do i would like to suggest one job
GO AND CUT THE HAIR OF DOG ASS.. IF NOT SATISFIED CHANGE YOUR FATHER…..
Mr bom & Mr.shrestha…IF U WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE
1ST.
“CHANGING THE OLD ONES IS TO CREAT A NEW PROBLEM” – J. KRISHNAMURTI
Rana’s flag was moon in the triangle.
Shah’s flag was sun in the triangle.
In 1962, both triangles were combined with blue border. Meaning of the flag: peaceful Nepal, brave Nepal etc. came much later.
Now Rana’s and Shah’s are gone for good. So the flag should go too.
shree – naive,
its a good flag and the meaning is good no matter who made it. ranas and shahs are gone as rulers does not mean change the flag- its like sayin they ruled nepal so lets relocate and change our country, change our parliament, museums, ministries, culture -really naive
Its good to have opinions from people. I think Shree and Bom are now convinced that there will be no new flag. Actually, our flag is precious – one in millions!
I agree with other people, there are so many things need a change(ie; Child modelling, Miss Teen etc) in Nepal rather than an unique Flag.
By the way the one Shree suggested, looks like a Turkish flag!
looking for seperate flag of MADESH
Each and every ethnic groups like Newar, Magar, Tamang, Gurung, and others should have their own flags to show their cultural identity. But we should have one national flag to represent all of us.
Crap…….no need for new one otherwise It’ll surely create new political agenda.
maobadi lai jhanda ma hasiya chaine hola,
congress lai tara,
upendra yadav lai orange color,
UML lai surye,
Aanandi devi lai aafnai photo,
Parmananda jha lai ta hamro jhanda ma india ko map chaincha,
kamal thapa lai gyane ko watermark chaiyela,
yestai yestai kura ma aaljhine bhaye nepali haru……
I am not suggesting flags for the political parties of Nepal. They already have them.
Believe me Shree, it’ll surely provoke political updraft.
Take a flag of china, Its a symbol of communism, why – because its a communist shit country. And FYI we’re also the same now.
These type of agenda are breeding ground for all political gundas and ethnic radicals, you know. Yinarlai new khojna bahek kei aaudaina.
One thing i want to clear up is that the national flag of any country should be secular. Not jinxed by any ethnic group, political parties or religion. But for that to happen every ppl of this country should realize at a first place that he/she is a NEPALI citizen rather than a bhojpuri, newar, bahun, chetri, tharu, kumai, pode, and millions other. I guess thats not a situation now. We’re in a deep shit of racism man. Pahade le madhesi lai hepne, madhesi le pahade lai hepne, madhesi le madhesi nai pani hepne. Hepai ko desh ho yo. Maobadi daju haru, tapai haru ko struggle of a class against class ko formula lai yaha halnu paryo, ani kei huncha ki.
And the proposed flag above in this page is not so different from the existing one. Except its shape, blue border and moon.
Mr. shree shrestha, It Seems that you have prejudice over our national flag. I think I have never seen a narrow minded guy like You. why can’t you think of something else for betterment of country and people, rather than sticking on same old matter.
do you understand newari language ?
KHWASA CHHUYA HYANGWA MAJUIGI JYA
(firing pubic hair would not make coal)
khwasa chuya hyangwa juimakhu would be correct
that is a very clever saying isn’t it?
We have a new Nepal and this doesn’t mean that everything should be changed. If we keep on changing everything, most probably our language will be changed and sadly we would have to follow our vice president’s language, our national weapon, our national animal which is inter related with hinduism and monarchy, our national color, our national dress, our national flower, our national game, our national musical instrument and many more. So let’s stop thinking about a new national signs or items and start thinking of changing our concept.
the only real reason that change in the flag would be good is to make the people of nepal a sense of new independance and a say in how thier government is run
I support slight changes to the flag, either for practical reasons (the shape, though I do appreciate its uniqueness) or in order to make it more politically inclusive. Since the Nepali people have decided to end their monarchy (whether this was wise of them is a separate issue), then removing the royalist elements from the flag is only logical.
The proposal above, however, looks too much like a Marxist party flag. Why eliminate the blue trim (said to represent peace)? Why not include the moon alongside the sun?
A “minimalist” change might replace the emblems with a sun on the upper triangle, and a moon on the lower. Or combine them into a single triangle, like the upper part of the current flag.
If the flag is to be rectangular, then it could be a red field with blue trim, and a combined sun-and-moon (white) at the canton. Perhaps the canton could be colored blue, though the combination with the red field would overly resemble the flags of Burma and Taiwan. Another possibility would be to retain the triangular shape in the *canton* of an otherwise rectangular flag.
So picture this: A red field with two blue, triangular cantons (like the current flag), in which are respectively emblazoned (in white) a sun and moon.
Forgive my ignorance, but who are Ansubarma, Bhirkuti and Arniko?
Oye maasaala sree shrestha… ta kati manchheko GAALI khana sakeko ? tero aru kaam chhaina……aba gaali garne hoina ta lai CHAK MA LAAT GARDAN MA HAAT dinu parla….
This is the misuse of Internet and website….
Our national flag souldnt be changed.I support all the nepalese who are againts it.
Teziv
On re-reading the “flags of the world” entry, I see that the sun and moon are themselves said to be royalist symbols (though the combined symbol of sun, moon, and/or fire is found all across Asia). Which suggests leaving them off of any revised flag.
Very well–in that case, what other suitable Nepalese symbols are available? The eye-and-bindu pattern from Boudhanath is overused, and arguably too Buddhist. The outline of Mt. Everest would be too irregular for vexillological convention, though it could be stylized. I would hate to see a kukri dagger used.
I wish the sun and moon could be “rehabilitated,” so to speak, and given non-royalist interpretations (such as the wish that Nepal last as long as the sun and moon.) The current symbol is a bit too “busy” for my taste, however–I would rather see a sun on the upper part of the flag, and a moon on the lower. (The KISS principle–“keep it simple, stupid!”)
On reflection, I think the current shape (two triangles) should be retained–it’s unique, instantly recognizable, and to foreigners, exotic. On the complaint that it represents an overtly “Hindu” flag shape, I can attest that the triangular (with one right angle) shape is also traditional for Chinese flags (though usually with added flames and streamers).
its so suking things that to think abt to change our national flag. y this f**ker politics want to change in things .they change everything and later they will change our langauge also and the clue has given by our vice president. (he need to be punish hang till death.) why dont they think abt to change there attidude. to develop nepal.
i want to cuation all the politician that if u changes the flag then count ur days.. all poltician chuni chuni marnu parcha. whoever mao, congress, communi.madesi.tarai. .. and who will kill the shree shrestha we will be rewarded….
mero nepal mero desh. yedi kasile merodesh ko jhanda ya pahichan chnage garnu khojcha tesali hang to deth or beheaded ko punis hunecha
the nepalese flag is an individual. i’m australian, and i love the Nepalese flag! it is unique and i wish my country had one like it, but not exactly the same. And besides, the flag Nepal has now is WAY better than the flag they want to change it with. I did a project on Nepal, and my flag was different from everyone elses. But maybe they should change the 12 pointed sun emblem to the maoists emblem. That would be fair.
Also the new national anthem is way better than the old one.
kya yaar wagle ji!
Ali kati angreji ma america bata lekhepachi post gardi halne hai! yaso bichar garnu parchaa ni article ma daam chaa ki chiana bhanera! Yasto tauko na puchhar ko article pani chapne! Nonsense
A new flag is actually a good idea. It is true that this current flag we have is reminiscent of the old Rana days, the elitist royal symbols, and also, this flag does not represent all the groups in Nepal, whether ethnic, religious, or linguistic.
For everyone’s information, though Nepal is a majority Hindu country with a strong Buddhist heritage, there should also be recognition given to other religions that exist in Nepal, namely, Islam and Christianity, as well as the tiny Sikh community that lives in Nepal. Frankly, it is dismaying that some still want Nepal to be the official Hindu country of the world.
This is the new world, the new age and the new Nepal. Let us not make the mistake of sidelining other religions of this diverse country. In a real democracy, you do not give preference to one religion over the other.
a flag should describe country as a whole so changing flag into that form which represent all section of country will definetly be better.but we should now focus mostly in economic issue as it it wil living standard of people of all walks of life.
Moist have gone insane already. Nepali people have already uffer a lot now this ???? Npali Flag is the only kind of tringular flag in th world. Why do u want to be common from unique whn vey one is running to be unique from common.
God Bless Nepal and I love my Flag
If you want to change, change the economic status, the way of living, why to change that two stupid triangle into quadrilateral. it’s the only thing recognized by foreigners. the new flag seems to be derived from the flag of communist party. is it the another example of mediocrity of Nepal communist party (Maoist) I love my flag and rato ra chandra surya jangi nisaan hamro jhukena kahile kahile latrena tesaile deshbasi ho sawadhaan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fuck you shree shrestha you are kalanka in the name of nepali, how long can you stand and stare these scoldings you sucker
to Gary A. Freed,
Hey how can you say that nepali people do’nt like old flag it’s the only thing remain from old nepal that is much liked so improve your history brother
I dont agree on changing the flag. The current flag is much better. The new flag doesn’t apply for us. In this world NEPAL has only the odd flag and that the only symbolism left for US, since those stupid retarted people destroyed the history trying for publicity. What the point of doing it? There reasons are unacceptable. Since i am a teenager i guess i cant understand this ideal point yet; still i dont agree with those. My opinion and many other are the flag to be kept the same. Other wise it is an embarresment to our country and to all nepalese ethnicity. Instead of doing this crap and wasting time in this bullshit why dont those people help out there. There children and citizen’s suffering. Governments and maoist instead of fighting for right. Help them and stop this nonsense before it worsen and before NEPAL pride sinks down. Well that’ll end of my case.
Thank you,
Sincerely
Ms Sagarika Gurung
People’s Republic of Nepal…anybody else getting the connection to the People’s Republic of CHINA? and isn’t China’s flag have a red background with a star in the corner too (it also has smaller stars surrounding it). We are Nepali, not Chinese. Let those commies have their flag, we’ll keep ours.
One more thing: the flag that Shri Rama flew, and the flag that has represented Sanatan Dharma for countless ages has always been the color of bhagwa, or saffron. Not “crimson”
we should not hange our prestice and our pride
we should not change our prestice and our pride. the real thing to change is the political conflict.
i Completly agree with Sanjay L.
Thank you Srinivas.
To Nepali “Patriot:”
Aren’t there already enough “secular” countries? Look at how India turned out with their “secular” government and look at how it’s treating it’s Hindu majority. “In a real democracy” there is no discrimination. There is no preferential treatment. Everyone is allowed to vote however they want to, not forced into it or bought out. “In a real democracy” the leading parties do not come into power through unfair means. Is any of this going into your think “patriotic” skull?
So Christians and Muslims should be given recognition eh? They’re already given enough recognition.
Christianity is the major religion of the world and the amount of brainwashing and “cleansing” it’s done in the world is something that should be known about too.
Islam is widely recognized, there’s multiple Islamic theocracies. They are governed by elitist males and the Shari’a. And they’re done their fair share of cleansing of infidels too.
The Sikh community is well recognized in every part of the world although they claim that they are not.
please change it…that shape is awful
HAHA…..laat ko manche lai baat le hunne bhaneko ta sabai le bhujnu paryo ni…desh kata dubna lageko cha tyo nepali lai matlab chiana …testo matlab bhako bhaye ta desh kasari banaye ra kasko haat ma diye bancha bhanne ta nepali haru le soch thiyo hola ni..aba FLAG ko problem ???why cnt you ppls change the name of the country as well WILL BE GREAT…then u can change everything try going for radical change stupid mentality we got…fags not bothering here anyone ,if something is bothering thats is ignorant nepalese politicians…I do respect them as they are highly qualified but just cnt digest the motion …pls ppl do as it pleases you but SAVE THE NATION….
Before anyone changes the national flag, please read the following, keep your palm on your chest, take a deep breath and think for a moment … just because we have the right to change does not mean that we need to. Nepal is much more than all the ethnicities combined and all the “-ism” put together.
Rato ra chandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Himal jhain aatal yo, jhukena yo kahile
Latrana yo kahiley, jungi nishan hamro
Yo janmadai jagat ma kayaun prahar aaye
Samrajya dui hare, harena shaan hamro
Jaba samma chandra surya aakash ma rahanchha Taba samma hunchha aafnai rato ragar yo hamro
Gai sari chhan sadhu jo jo yahan jagat ma
Sabako saran baljhiyo jungi nishan hamro
Rato ra chandra surya jungi nishan hamro
Jiundo ragat sari yo baldo yo shaan hamro
Nepali patriot, if you want to change flag to something secular, go and change the flags of other countries with crosses and crescents first. A majority of Nepalese still want Nepal to be a Hindu state. Conduct fair polls and you will see. Chor jasari janta lai nai nasodhikana sale maobadi haru le hataeko Hindu state ko status le maoist ko antidemocratic charitra lai ta dekhauncha nai, ra esle bhabishya ma lyauna sakne khatara lai nakarna sakinna. Bishwa ma herne ho bhane sabai bhanda dherai dharmik jhagada secular des mai dekhincha. Feri, Hindu state bhanera aru lai nepal ma daman pani ta gariya thiyena ni.
ta mam pakha bomai bom hale ra padkau tero chak ma
wtf! this flags sucks!!! where is our moon! hey people u got no right to change the shape! and new national anthem is the worse i ever hear!!!!!
we don’t need no change in this flag motherfkr
Flag must be changed only if this doesn’t represent the idea of Secular Federal Democratic Republican, Nepal. Our national flag still remind us the monarchy becuase of its shape. What if we give just slight changes without disturbing the genuine old symbols??? Like same symbols same colors but in rectangular as the shape of other flags. Just think …………………
Mr. Bom and Mr. Shrestha, your idea to change the flag is right but what you proposed instead, doesn’t represent our Nepal.
Ohio isn’t a country, Fhkin’ moron.
Hello every body,
It is very problem for us that our Grandfather ‘s belongs to Nepal which is Hindu country , for that I am Hindu, so first we should deleted our Grandfather’s Name and our hindu tag to some unique religion or mix to chinese or american, chinese because now we wann communism and american because we only like to sing western music, than distroy all the infrastructure of country (already moaist fullfilled 60%) which was made during kings rule by begging finance for other nations,
Now we will get pure change in name can change flag, mother’s,father’s name, your own name and you start rebuild your own country’s infrastructure, economy, employment for population with out foreign help, Produce Salt with out help of India and china, Produce Petrol and oil with out India and China for own consumption.
what a rubbish idea for changing flag. the current flag is more beautiful and already recognised by the world. it is unique and we accept it as it is now. why now the goverment wanna change flag??? are they gonna change countrys name too then what else??? dont change the name or the symbol change the state , change the condition , situation.