Flag of Hong Kong - Colours, Meaning, History 🇭🇰

The flag of Hong Kong symbolizes the ‘one country, two systems’ philosophy, following the city’s reunion with the Republic of China. The flag features a stylized, five-petaled, white orchid flower against a red background. The flag’s symbolic flower is derived from the Bauhinia blakeana, widely referred to as the Hong Kong Orchid tree. The design of the flag portrays the political, regional and cultural significance of the Chinese people.

Table of Contents

• History of the Flag of Hong Kong
• What is the meaning behind the colours of the Hong Kong Flag
• Interesting Facts about the Flag of Hong Kong

History of the Flag of Hong Kong

Between 1959-1997, before the adoption of the current flag, Hong Kong used a colonial flag that was characterized by the ‘British Blue Ensign’ flag, which consisted of Hong Kong’s coat of arms on a white ring. The scheme of the flag displayed two junks, a naval crown, two lions; one holding a pearl, which refers to one of Hong Kong’s nicknames “Pearl of the Orient” and a dragon. The flag of colonial Hong Kong underwent numerous modifications during the last centuries of the British colonial rule:

• In 1871-1876, the Flag of the British Crown colony, which contained a British Blue Ensign with a Crowned “HK”, was used.
• From 1876-1955, a stamp signifying Hong Kong was introduced, the design depicted three merchants with their commercial goods on the foreground; a waterfront scene and a square-rigged ship and junk lodged in the central ground with canonical hills and clouds in the background. This design was declined by Richard Graves MacDonnell, the Hong Kong Governor at the time.
• In 1955-1959, the flag of the British colony of Hong Kong, which contained a blue ensign with a waterfront scene.
• The blue ensign (1959-1997) is among the most recognizable flags used in Hong Kong under colonial rule. It was the last colonial flag of Hong Kong, used from 1959 until Hong Kong regained power in 1997. This flag had the Hong Kong coat of arms which was approved in January 1959, and during the same year, the flag was modified to include the coat of arms within the blue ensign flag.

Before Hong Kong’s switch of power away from colonial rule, a competition was carried out among Hong Kong citizens to assist the design of the flag of Hong Kong post-colonialism. Over 4000 designs were submitted, all of which were rejected. Tao Ho, one of the panel judges responsible for picking the new design for the flag of Hong Kong, was then asked to come up with new proposals.

While searching for inspiration, Ho stumbled upon the Bauhinia blakeana and became intrigued by the evenness of the five petals and their winding pattern, which to him depicted a spirited feeling. This resulted in Ho integrating the Bauhinia blakeana into the flag to symbolize Hong Kong. This new design was accepted on April 4, 1990 during the 3rd assembly of the National People’s Congress, and officially hoisted on July 1, 1997 during the abdication ceremony to represent the handover of power.

What is the meaning behind the colours of the Hong Kong Flag?

The flag of Hong Kong is hoisted daily at the government house, the Chief Executive’s official home, all border crossings and points of entry into Hong Kong and the International Airport of Hong Kong. However, on government offices and buildings, the flag is exhibited during official working hours, when the offices are operating. Other official buildings and offices, including schools, sports grounds, cultural venues, and hospitals, fly the flag during special events such as PRC national and public holidays.

Colours
The colour red is noteworthy in Chinese culture and communities; it is considered to be a festive colour that also represents nationalism. Also, the colour red is the same as the one used in the national PRC flag and signifies the relations that were regained between China and post-colonial Hong Kong.

The strategic location of white and red on the Hong Kong flag represents the ‘one country, two systems’ political concept that is applied in the region. The Bauhinia blakeana flower serves as a symbol of harmony. The five stars ingrained within the petals of the Bauhinia blakeana in the Hong Kong flag, similar to those present in the PRC national flag, represent the communist party and Mao Zedong’s four classes, which include:

• Proletarian workers
• Agricultural peasants
• Petty bourgeoisie
• Capitalists

Shape
Did you know that the government of Hong Kong indicated the size, colours, and manufacturing considerations for the flag of Hong Kong? The length is twice the breadth, with the bauhinia blakeana flower petals uniformly spread around the center of a red background in the flag.

The five flower petals, each containing a five-pointed red star, which is a sign of the socialist and communist parties with a red trace, indicative of flower stamen.

Interesting Facts about the Flag of Hong Kong

• The PRC flag must always remain at the center and higher than the regional Hong Kong flag whenever the two are flown together. The Hong Kong flag must be smaller than the PRC flag and should be presented on the left side of the PRC flag.
• The PRC flag is always hoisted before the Hong Kong flag and also pulled down after the flag of Hong Kong. The exemption to this regulation happens during medal-awarding events at multi-sport ceremonies, since Hong Kong competes separately from mainland China.
• The usage of the flag is controlled by laws approved during the 58th executive assembly of the State Council, which took place in Beijing.
• The Hong Kong flag is always hoisted together with China’s flag to symbolize the ‘one country, two systems’ concept.
• The flag is dropped to half-mast as a sign of mourning when the president of PRC, prominent government officials, people who have made exceptional influences to world peace or caused human advancement, among others, pass away. During serious casualties or natural calamities that cause many casualties, the Central People’s Government can also advise the chief executive to hoist the flag at half-mast.
• The regional emblem of Hong Kong, which consists of elements from the flag of Hong Kong, and features the official name of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of PRC on an outer white disc, was adopted together with the flag of Hong Kong in 1997.

Do you know any other interesting facts about the flag of Hong Kong? Share your thoughts below.