National Flag of Japan
The National Flag of Japan Was promulgated on the 13th of August, 1999 after the signing of the Act on National Flag and National Anthem. The Flag Of Japan more commonly known as Hinomaru (“circle of the sun”). The Hinomaru flag was first adopted and became official merchants’ flag in the 1870s. However, It was only in 1999 that the Nisshoki flag became the official Flag Of Japan.
Two previous proclamations were made for a provision for a design of the Japan National Flag during the Meiji Era. A sun-disc flag for Japanese merchant ships as well as the national flag used by the Japanese navy was adopted. The earliest records of the Japanese flag representing a sun can be traced back to Emperor Mommu in 701. The oldest existing Flag Of Japan Is Preserved at the Unpō-Ji temple in Kōshū, Yamanashi.
The Meaning Of The Japanese Flag
This National Flag Of Japan is composed of a white banner with a crimson-red disc at the center and must have a ratio of 2 units width and 3 unit length. The White color of the Japan National Flag represents the honesty and integrity of the Japanese people. As for the crimson red disk, it symbolizes the sun goddess Amaterasu (天照) the ancestor of Japan’s emperors and the mythical founder of Japan.
According to the Japan tradition and history, Goddess Amaterasu founded Japan and Its Nation about 2,700 years ago. It is also believed that this goddess is the ancestor of the first Japanese emperor. So that is why the Emperor is known by the name “Son of The Sun”, and Japan is called “The Land of the Rising Sun”. This is why the country is called the land of the rising sun, and also because Japan it’s located at the far east of the Asian continent.
The History of The Japanese Flag
In a letter to the Chinese Emperor, in the early 7th century, the Japanese Emperor refers to himself as “the Emperor of the rising sun“ During the Mongol Invasion in the 13th century, Japanese Buddhist priests gave a sun banner to the military dictator of Japan known as shōgun In 1854, the Japan National Flag was used to identify the Japanese ships when Japan started to develop diplomatic relations and commerce with Europe. It became the official merchant flag in 1870. With the arrival of conflicts and war, the National Flag Of Japan started to gain importance and was seen at celebrations after victories. During this period patriotism was at full expansion and taught as a virtue.
Some Information About Flag:
In Which Year, The National Flag is Adopted?
Ans: February 27, 1870 (as the civil ensign by Proclamation No. 57)
August 13, 1999 (as the national flag and slight modifications to the design of the flag)
What Are The Colours of The Flag?
Ans: Red And White
What Do the Colours of the Flag Means?
Ans: The White Color Represents the honesty and integrity of the Japanese people.
Red disk Symbolizes the sun goddess Amaterasu.
Who is the designer of the Flag?
Ans: Unknown
