Page 210 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Asia

Laos

Ratio: 2:3 Adopted: December 2, 1975 Usage: National and Civil

Blue represents
wealth
The white disc
Red symbolizes the symbolizes unity
blood shed during the under communism
struggle for freedom

The white disc on a blue stripe represents
the full moon over the Mekong River

Asia
China A French protectorate from the end of the 19th
Myanmar r
M
LAOS century, Laos gained full independence in 1953.
LAOS
Vietnam
T T Th
T Thailand
Cambodia It has been under communist rule since 1975.
The national flag of Laos was at the top and bottom. From
adopted in 1975, when the country 1973–1975, the Pathet Lao formed
became a people’s republic. It is one part of the government coalition,
of the few communist flags that before assuming power directly
does not use the five-pointed star as and prompting the abdication of
an emblem. This flag replaced the the king. Their flag was then adopted
original flag of Laos, which was as the national flag.
red, with a triple-headed white In the center is a white disc
elephant on a pedestal beneath a symbolizing the unity of the people
parasol. This expressed the ancient under the leadership of the Lao
name of the country, “Land of a People’s Revolutionary Party and
Million Elephants,” and dated from the country’s bright future. The red
the 19th century. stripes stand for the blood shed by
the people in their struggle for
AFLAG FOR THE REPUBLIC freedom, and the blue symbolizes
From 1953 onward, the royal their prosperity.
government waged war with the The white disc on a blue
Pathet Lao, whose flag was blue background is also said to represent a
with a white disc and red borders full moon against the Mekong River.

206