National Flag of Sri Lanka

The National Flag of Sri Lanka has been designed with great care and purpose. It not only represents the country and her heritage, but is a rallying device that integrates the minority races with the majority race.

• The lion in the flag represents the Sinhala race.
• The sword of the lion represents the sovereignty of the country.
• The noble eight fold path of Buddhism is signified by the lion tail.
• Curly hair on the lion's head indicates religious observance,wisdom and meditation.
• The beard denotes purity of words.
• The handle of the sword highlights the elements of water,fire,air and earth.
• The nose indicates intelligence.
• The two front paws purport to purity in handling wealth.
• The verticle stripe of orange represent the minority Tamil race and green verticle stripe the minority Muslim race.
• The four virtues of kindness:KINDNESS,FRIENDLINESS,HAPPINESS,EQUANIMITY are also represented in the flag.
• The border round the flag,which is yellow in color,represents other minor races.
• The bo-leaves at the four corners of the flag represent Buddhism and it's influence on the nation,they also stand for the four virtues,kindness,friendliness,happiness,equanimity.
• The maroon colored portion of the flag manifests the other minor religion.

The National flag was hoisted for the first time on march 3,1950