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Flag of Singapore

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National Flag of Singapore. Flag ratio: 2:3

The national flag of Singapore was adopted on 3 December 1959. It is a horizontal bicolour of red above white, charged in the canton by a white crescent moon beside a circle of five small white five-pointed stars.

Origin

For over 140 years (1819–1959), the Union Flag flew over Singapore when it was part of the British Empire. Upon Singapore being granted internal self-government by the British Government, the national flag of Singapore was unveiled at the installation of the new Head of State, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, on 3 December 1959. Also made public that day were the Coat of Arms of Singapore or State Crest and the National Anthem. The flag was conceived and created by a committee headed by the then Deputy Prime Minister, Toh Chin Chye. The flag was adopted as the national flag upon Singapore's full independence on 9 August 1965.[1]

Elements and symbolism

The Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules define the flag's composition and the symbolism of its elements: red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man" and white "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The waxing crescent moon "represents a young nation on the ascendant". Finally, the five stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality".[2]

Element Meaning
Red Symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man
White Signifies pervading and everlasting purity and virtue
White crescent moon Represents a young nation on the ascendant
Five stars Stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

In 1969, Singaporean composer Lim Su Chong composed a song entitled Five Stars Arising which took as its theme the elements of the national flag. The lyrics of the song speak of a new moon, five stars and a new flag "arising out of the stormy sea". The moon is "[y]outhful and bright and bearing hope, and tranquil as can be", each of the stars is "a lamp to guide our way; a lamp for all to see" and the flag is "[c]rimson as the blood of all mankind, yet white and pure and free".[3]

Dimension and colour

The ratio of the flag is 2:3 (height:width). The recommended sizes are:

  • 1370 mm x 915 mm
  • 1830 mm x 1220 mm
  • 2740 mm x 1830 mm

The colour scheme is White and Red (Pantone 032).[4]

Despite its graphical similarity, the national flag of Singapore should not be confused with those of  Indonesia,  Monaco, or  Poland.

Guidelines for usage

Previously, the flag was used exclusively by government departments and educational institutions, and could only be flown by individuals and non-governmental organisations during the month of August to mark National Day on 9 August. Following requests by Singaporeans, guidelines for the use of the Flag were relaxed in 2006 to give people more ways of expressing their loyalty to Singapore during National Day celebrations. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) permitted Singaporean residents to display the flag from the middle of July to the end of August for a trial period, and allowed Singaporeans to apply decals and stickers bearing the flag to themselves or their belongings.[5] The period when the flag may be displayed has now been extended to a three-month period from July to September.[6]

Proper use and display

Singaporeans, and government and non-governmental organisations may display or fly the national flag to identify with the nation. Singaporeans are especially encouraged to do this during occasions of national celebration or national significance.[6]

The use and display of the flag is governed by Part III of the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules[7] made under the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act.[8] It is an offence to knowingly contravene specified provisions of the Rules; the penalty is a fine not exceeding S$1,000.[9]

  • No person shall treat the Flag with disrespect.[10]
  • No person in possession of the Flag shall allow or cause the Flag to touch the floor or ground, even when lowering the Flag from a staff or flagpole.[11]
  • When the flag is displayed outside a building, it shall be displayed on or in front of the building.[12] Outside the National Day celebrations period (1 July – 30 September), it must be flown only from a flagpole, and if it is displayed or flown at night, it should be properly illuminated.[13] These rules need not be observed during the National Day celebrations period.[14]
  • During the National Day celebrations period, the Flag may be displayed on any vehicle (other than a hearse), vessel or aircraft in a manner that does not give rise to any disrespect to the Flag.[15] On other occasions, the Flag shall not be displayed on any motor vehicle except on a motor vehicle in which the President of Singapore is travelling or any Minister is travelling on official business, or in such circumstances as may be approved in which there is no disrespect for the Flag.[16] In addition, the Flag shall not be displayed on any vessel or aircraft except on a Government vessel or aircraft, on such other vessel or aircraft that is authorised by law to display the Flag, or in such circumstances as may be approved in which there is no disrespect for the Flag.[17]
  • During the National Day celebrations period, the Flag or an image of it may be incorporated as part of any costume or attire in a manner that does not give rise to any disrespect to the Flag.[18] On other occasions, no person shall use or apply the Flag or any image of it as or as part of any costume or attire except in such circumstances as may be approved in which there is no disrespect for the Flag.[19]
  • Within Singapore, the Flag should take precedence over all other flags, subject to international practice.[20]
    • When displayed or flown with other flags, it must be in a position of honour. This means it should be positioned, where practicable, either above all other flags or, if displayed side by side with other flags on the same level, to the left of the other flags, as seen by a person facing the flags.[21]
    • When raised or carried in a procession with other flags, it shall be raised or carried in front of the other flags in a single file, or if the flags are carried side by side, on the right as seen by the standard bearers[22] (that is, on the left from the viewer's point of view). The standard bearer must carry the Flag high on his or her right shoulder.[23]
    • When displayed on a platform or stage, it shall be above all decorations and be behind and above any person speaking from the platform or stage. If it is displayed from a staff standing on the platform or stage, it must be on the right side of the person speaking from the platform or stage.[24]
    • When hung, it shall be hung against a vertical wall or other vertical flat surface, with the crescent and stars on the top left position as seen by any spectator facing the Flag and the wall or surface, as the case may be.[25]
  • The Flag shall be flown at full mast. However, it may be lowered to half-mast in the event of the death of an important personage or mourning affecting the nation.[26]

According to advice provided by MICA, the flag may be reproduced in reduced size representations and displayed at all times, but it must be in its true form and colours, regardless of size.[6]

Improper use and treatment

  • The Flag shall not be displayed below any other flag, emblem or object.[27]
  • The Flag shall not be displayed or carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.[28]
  • The Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing.[29]
  • No person shall display, or cause to be displayed, any Flag that is damaged or not in a proper and clean condition.[30]
  • No person shall use or apply the Flag or any image of it:
    • for any commercial purpose;
    • as a means, or for the purpose, of any advertisement; or
    • as or as part of any furnishing, decoration, covering or receptacle,[31]
except in such circumstances as may be approved in which there is no disrespect for the Flag.[32]
  • No person shall use or apply the Flag or any image of it as or as part of any trademark.[33]
  • No person shall use or display the Flag or any image of it at any private funeral, wake, memorial service or other funerary rite, ceremony or procession.[34]
  • No person shall produce or display any flag which bears any graphics or word superimposed on the design of the Flag.[35]

MICA advises that the flag should be cleaned when dirty, and replaced if it has faded. After any washing, it should not be hung out to dry outdoors together with other laundry. Any worn out or damaged flag should be disposed properly, not left visible in dustbins. Torn or worn-out flags should be packed into a sealed black trash bag before being disposed.[6]

Display of non-Singaporean national emblems

Under the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act,[36] no person shall display in public or at or within any school any national emblem,[37] that is, any flag, banner or other emblem being or purporting to be the flag, banner or other emblem of any state, or the flag, banner or other emblem of any political organisation claiming to be a national movement in any state or any likeness or resemblance however reproduced of any national leader or former national leader of any state or the leader or former leader of any such political organisation.[38] Offences under the Act attract a fine not exceeding S$500 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both for an individual, and a fine not exceeding S$1,000 for a body corporate.[39]

Exceptions are made for:

  • the display of any national emblem of a state by any of the following persons who is a national of that state:
    • any person duly accredited as a diplomatic representative of a foreign power or as a consular representative of a foreign power to Singapore to whom an exequatur or provisional or other authorisation has been granted by the Government;
    • any person in the service of a Commonwealth Government or the government of any British dependency or possession or of the Republic of Ireland and officially recognised as representing that government in Singapore;
    • any person upon whom the immunities and privileges referred to in Part II or Part III of the Schedule to the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Act[40] have been conferred under that Act; and
  • the display of any national emblem on any ship or aircraft.[41]

Other flags of Singapore

In addition to the national flag, the flags below are used for specific official purposes.

Notes

  1. ^ "National Symbols and References: The National Flag". Singapore Infomap. Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. 2004. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  2. ^ Second Schedule of the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S 377/2007). See also Lee, Kuan Yew (1998). The Singapore Story : Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore: Times Editions. pp. 342–343. ISBN 9812049835 (hbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  3. ^ "Five Stars Arising". Sing Singapore. 2005. Retrieved 2007-10-16. See also List of Singaporean patriotic songs.
  4. ^ National Heritage Board. "The National Flag". National Heritage Board. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
  5. ^ Noor Mohd Aziz (2006-07-10). "Rules relaxed for flying national flag". Channel NewsAsia. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d "National Symbols and References: The National Flag – Guidelines". Singapore Infomap. Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  7. ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S 377/2007).
  8. ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act (Cap. 296, 1985 Rev. Ed.).
  9. ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules, r. 14(2). The rule states: "Any person who knowingly — (a) does any act in relation to the Flag in contravention of the provisions of rule 5, 6, 7, 9(1), (2), (3) or (4) or 10(1); or (b) contravenes rule 8 or 9(6) in relation to the Flag, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000." Treating the Flag with disrespect is a separate offence under r. 14(4), which states: "Any person, who without reasonable excuse, contravenes rule 4... shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000." An authorised officer may compound these offences by collecting from the person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum of money not exceeding S$500: Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Composition of Offences) Rules 2007 (S 378/2007).
  10. ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules, see above, r. 4(1).
  11. ^ See above, r. 4(2).
  12. ^ See above, r. 5(1).
  13. ^ See above, r. 5(2).
  14. ^ See above, r. 5(3).
  15. ^ See above, r. 6(3).
  16. ^ See above, r. 6(1).
  17. ^ See above, r. 6(2).
  18. ^ See above, r. 9(5).
  19. ^ See above, r. 9(4).
  20. ^ See above, r. 7(1).
  21. ^ See above, r. 7(2) and r. 7(9)(a) (definition of "position of honour").
  22. ^ See above, r. 7(3)(a) and r. 7(9)(b) (definition of "position of honour").
  23. ^ See above, r. 7(3)(b).
  24. ^ See above, r. 7(5).
  25. ^ See above, r. 7(7).
  26. ^ See above, r. 10.
  27. ^ See above, r. 7(4).
  28. ^ See above, r. 7(6).
  29. ^ See above, r. 7(8).
  30. ^ See above, r. 8.
  31. ^ "Receptacle" includes a paper, plastic and refuse bag: r. 9(8).
  32. ^ See above, r. 9(1).
  33. ^ See above, r. 9(2).
  34. ^ See above, r. 9(3).
  35. ^ See above, r. 9(6). This rule does not apply to the production by or on behalf of, or the display by, any Government department of its flag: r. 9(7).
  36. ^ National Emblems (Control of Display) Act (Cap. 196, 1985 Rev. Ed.).
  37. ^ See above, s. 3(1).
  38. ^ See above, s. 2.
  39. ^ See above, s. 8(1), which reads: "Any person who — (a) displays any national emblem contrary to the provisions of this Act or of any condition of any order or permit made or given under section 5; or (b) being the owner, tenant, lessee, occupier or person in charge of any premises knowingly permits the display of any national emblem on or from those premises or within any school contrary to the provisions of this Act or of any condition of any order or permit made or given under section 5, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction — (i) in the case of a person other than a body corporate to a fine not exceeding $500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and (ii) in the case of a body corporate to a fine not exceeding $1,000."
  40. ^ International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Act (Cap. 145, 1985 Rev. Ed.).
  41. ^ National Emblems (Control of Display) Act, s. 4.

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