List of Chinese flags

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of flags of entities named or related to "China".

People's Republic of China

National flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1 October 1949 – present Flag of the People's Republic of China[1] A red field, with a large gold star with four smaller stars towards the fly at the canton. This flag is flown in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
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Special administrative regions flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1 July 1997 – present Flag of Hong Kong[2] On a red field, a white stylised Bauhinia blakeana flower. Each of the five petals bears a red five pointed star. The red field and red stars echo Hong Kong's connection to the mainland and the flower represents the harmony of the unique identity of the region.
20 December 1999 – present Flag of Macau[3][4] On a green field, a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars.
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Military flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1948–present Flag of the People's Liberation Army[5] A red field with a yellow star at the canton, and the Chinese numerals for "8" and "1", the date of the PLA's establishment on August 1, 1927.
1992–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force[5] The PLA flag with a green stripe at the bottom, representing the ground.
1950s Jack of the People's Liberation Army Navy[6] A red flag with the PLA emblem and a horizontal blue stripe in the center.
1992–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Navy[5] The PLA flag with five horizontal lines at the bottom, three blue and two white, representing the sea.
Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Air Force[5] The PLA flag with a blue stripe at the bottom, representing the sky.
2016–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force[7][8] The PLA flag with a gold yellow stripe at the bottom, representing the flare of missile launching.
2018–present Flag of the People's Armed Police Force[9] The PLA flag with three green bars at the bottom.
2024–present Flag of the People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force
2024–present Flag of the People's Liberation Army Cyberspace Force
2024–present Flag of the People's Liberation Army Information Support Force
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Civil flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1949–present Flags of the Young Pioneers of China[10] Red flag with a yellow five-pointed star and torch in the middle.
1922–present Flag of the Communist Youth League of China[11] Red flag with encircled yellow five-pointed star in the canton.
1950s–present Flag of the Customs of the People's Republic of China[12] The flag of the People's Republic of China with a caduceus crossed with a golden key added to the lower fly.
2018–present Flag of the China Fire and Rescue Service[13] Horizontal bicolor flag in red and blue with the badge of the China Fire and Rescue Service at the top and the Chinese and English text "Flag of China Fire and Rescue" at the bottom.
2020–present Flag of the People's Police of the People's Republic of China[14] Red flag with a blue stripe in the bottom and the badge of the People's Police in the canton.
?–present Flag of the China Maritime Safety Administration
2021–present Flag of the National Immigration Administration of China[15] Red flag with the organization's logo in the center and a blue crenellated wall at the bottom.
1945–1979
[citation needed]
Flag of Inner-Mongolian Autonomous Government[16] A red five-pointed star above a hoe and a horse pole that are crossed, symbolizing the unity of farmers and herdsmen in Inner Mongolia under the Chinese Communist Party.[citation needed]
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City flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1997 Flag of Ningbo[17]
1988–1997 Flag of Nanjing[17]
2006–present Flag of Kaifeng[17]
2009–present Flag of Shangrao[17]
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Political flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1996–present Flag of the Chinese Communist Party[18] A red flag with the golden emblem of the Chinese Communist Party.[18]
1921–1996
1927–1964 Flag of the Chinese Peasants' Association The Plough flag, a yellow plough on a red field.
1925–1953 Flag of the China Party for Public Interest A red field with a stylized white "" in a blue canton.
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Flags of Political Groups and Separatist Movements

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Flag Duration Use Description
2008–2009 Flag of the Maoist Communist Party of China Red flag featuring a portrait of young Mao Zedong in the upper hoist.
1989 Flag of the Beijing Students' Autonomous Federation[19][better source needed] A flag created by students present during the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests.
1997–present Flag of the Inner Mongolian People's Party
1959–present Flag of the Central Tibetan Administration Same as the previous flag of Tibet.
1933–present The Kök Bayraq, flag of the East Turkestan independence movementFirst adopted as the flag of the First East Turkestan Republic (1933–1934). Now also used by the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile.
1988–present Flags of the Turkistan Islamic Party
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Proposed national flags of the People's Republic of China

In July 1949, a contest was announced for a national flag for the newly founded People's Republic of China (PRC). From a total of about 3,000 proposed designs, 38 finalists were chosen. In September, the current flag, submitted by Zeng Liansong, was officially adopted, with the hammer and sickle removed.[20]

Alternative proposals

Selection of proposals

House flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1984–present House flag of China Merchants Group[23]
1951–1984
1960–1993 House flag of COSCO
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Historical socialist states

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Flag Duration Use Description
1931–34 Flag used in the Minxi Soviet Government [zh] A red field with a white star and black hammer and sickle in the upper hoist corner.
Jiangxi Soviet republic flag A red star and hammer and sickle along with Chinese characters for "Chinese Communists" (Zhonggong, 中共) written in classical word order, i.e., read from the right.
Flag of the Chinese Soviet Republic[24] Red flag with the national emblem in the center.
1933–34 Flag of the Fujian People's Government A horizontal bicolour of red and blue and charged with a yellow five-pointed star in the center.
1928–41 Flag used in the Qiongya Soviet Government [zh]
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Historical military flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1931 Flag of the Northeast Righteous and Brave Army[25] Red flag with the text "東北義勇軍" and a star.
Flag of the Third Army of the Shandong People's Anti-Japanese Salvation Army[26]
1927–1928 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[6] Same as the 1928 version, but the hoist side reads "工農革命軍" (China Workers'/Peasants' Revolutionary Army). Divisions were added, for example "第二軍第一師" (Second Army, 1st Division).
1928–1930 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[25] Hoist side reads "中國工農紅軍" (Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army).
1930 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Same as the 1928 version, but the hoist side has no characters and the top reads "全世界無產階級聯合起來" ("Proletariats of the world, unite!").
1930–1931 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[6] Same as April 1930 version but top reads "全世界無產階級及被壓迫民族聯合起來" ("Proletariats and oppressed peoples of the world, unite!").
1931–1934 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[6] Same as 1934 version but with blank white hoist side and colored fringe around the edges (six variants – red for infantry, yellow for cavalry, black for artillery, white for engineering, blue for logistics, green for medical).
1934–1937 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[24]
1937–1947 Flag of the Eighth Route Army (18th Group Army)[25] in use by communist forces in the Second United Front during the Second Sino Japanese War National Revolutionary Army unit flag with text "國民革命軍第十八集團軍" (National Revolutionary Army 18th Group Army) on the hoist side.
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Republic of China

National flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
9 December 1928 – present Flag of the Republic of China[27]
(Commonly known as "Taiwan")
A red field, with a blue canton containing a twelve-ray white sun. This flag flew over mainland China until 1949, and is presently flown on the island of Taiwan and other islands under the control of the ROC.
1950–present Flag of the Republic of China (vertical) The reverse side, rotated to put the blue canton in the upper left.
1940–1943 Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China Used by the Japanese puppet rebel government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction".
Used by the Japanese puppet rebel government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism".
Used by the Japanese puppet rebel government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, National Construction".
1912–1928 First flag of the Republic of China, or "Five-colored flag" It was widely flown even before the Republic of China in Shanghai and eastern parts of north China until 1928. The stripe representation: red for Han Chinese, yellow for Manchus, blue for Mongols, white for Hui, and black for Tibetans. Later used by the Japanese puppet states of the East Hebei Autonomous Government, the Chinese Provisional Government, and the Reformed Government.
1915–1916 Flag of the Empire of China The version with the red saltire was more commonly used than the version with the red centered cross.
1916 Variant flag of the Empire of China
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Regional government flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1911–1912 Flag of the Great Han Sichuan Military Government.[28]
Bagua flag of the Shanxi Provincial Military Governmentzh
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Standards

Head of state

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Flag Duration Use Description
1988–present Standard of the president of the Republic of China
1929–1988 Old standard of the president of the Republic of China
1927–1928 Commander-in-chief flag of the Republic of China (Beiyang government)
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Vice president

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Flag Duration Use Description
1947–1986 Standard of the Vice President of the Republic of China Abolished with the Act of Ensign of the Republic of China Navy (海軍旗章條例) on 3 January 1986.
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Other high executive officials

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Flag Duration Use Description
1929–2003 A common flag for all ROC high executive officials
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Military flags

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Flag Duration Use Description
1986–present Flag of the Chief of the General Staff (Republic of China Armed Forces)[29]
1924–present Flag of the Republic of China Military Police
1945–present Flag of the Republic of China Armed Forces Reserve[29]
1946–2012 Flag of the Republic of China Joint Logistics Command
1945–1992 Flag of the Taiwan Garrison Command
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Army

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1924–present Flag of the Republic of China Army (formerly the National Revolutionary Army) The national emblem with a thick red border.
Flag of the Army commander
Senior general's flag
General's flag
Lieutenant general's flag
Major general's flag
Colonel's flag
1911–1928 Army flag of the Republic of China[a] The banner of the Wuchang uprising of 10 October 1911, subsequently used as the flag of the army of the Republic of China, c.1913–28.
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More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1912–present Ensign of the Republic of China Navy
1942–1945 Ensign of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China. Used by the Japanese puppet government from 1 May 1942 until the end of the regime.
1911 First naval ensign of the Republic of China
1928–present Naval jack of the Republic of China Navy Identical to the Kuomintang flag (see below).
1940–1945 Naval jack of Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China Used by the Japanese puppet government from 1940 until the end of the regime. The pennant reads "Kuomintang".
1912–1928 Naval jack of the Republic of China Navy
Rank flags
Commanding general of Navy flag
1912– Senior admiral's flag
Admiral's flag
Vice admiral's flag
Rear admiral's flag
Captain's flag
1912– Flag of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
1924– Battle fleet leader's pennant
1962– Navigating battle ship pennant
1924– Commission pennant
1912– Duty pennant
1986– ROCN unit flag
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Air Force

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1981–present Flag of the Republic of China Air Force
1948–1981
1937–1948
Commanding general of Air Force flag
Senior general's flag
General's flag
Lieutenant general's flag
Major general's flag
Colonel's flag
1986–present Air force units flag model
1981–1986
1962–1981
1958–1962
1948–1958
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Marine Corps

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of the Republic of China Marine Corps
General's flag
Lieutenant general's flag
Major general's flag
Colonel's flag
Republic of China Marine Corps unit flag In use since 1986.
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Combined Logistics Command

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Flag Duration Use Description
1973–2012 Flag of the Republic of China Combined Service Force
1964–1979
1960–1964
1958–1960
1956–1958
1952–1956
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National Defense University

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
2014–present Banner of the Military College of the National Defense University
Banner of the Military College of Command and Staff of the National Defense University
Naval Command and Staff College flag
Air Command and Staff College flag
National Defense Medical Center flag
Flag of Fu Hsing Kang College
Chung Cheng Institute of Technology flag
Flag of the Higher School of Management of the National Defense University
2000–2014 Old banner of the Military College of the National Defense University
1968–2000 Old flag of the National Defense University
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Coast Guard Administration

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
2000–present Flag of the Coast Guard Administration of the Republic of China
Flag of the minister of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
Flag of the director of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
Flag of the Nansha commander of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
Flag of the director general of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
Unit flag of Coast Guard of Republic of China
1925–1928 Ensign of Coastal Defense of Republic of China
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Police

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1974–present Flag of police of the Republic of China
1947–1974 Flag of police of the Republic of China Flag of the Republic of China defaced with a golden pigeon in the fly.
1932–1947 Flag of police of the Republic of China.
1912–1928 Flag of police of the Republic of China
1974–present Flag of National Police Agency
Flag of Central Police University
Flag of Volunteer Police of the Republic of China
Flag of Director-General of ROC Police
Flag of Commissioner of Direct-controlled municipality of ROC Police
1932–1949 Flag of Voluntary Police of the Republic of China
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Water Police

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1928–1949 Ensign of the Chinese Water Police
1912–1928
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Fire Service

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1996–present Flag of the National Fire Agency
Unit flag of the National Fire Agency
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Rescue aviation

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Flag Duration Use Description
2005–present Flag of the National Airborne Service Corps
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Ministries

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of the Sports Administration
Flag of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications
Flag of the Ministry of Education
2014–present Flag of the Ministry of Finance
1950–2014 Previously used as flag of the Inspector-General of Customs during 1929–50. Green background with yellow saltire superimposed by "Blue Sky with a White Sun" flag.
Flag of the Ministry of Health and Welfare
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Councils

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of the Atomic Energy Council
Flag of the Veterans Affairs Council
Flag of the Overseas Community Affairs Council
Flag of the National Communications Commission
Flag of the National Development Council
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Agency

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau of the Republic of China Not in use since the Taiwan Area National Bureau merged into Freeway Bureau in 2018.
Flag of the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Republic of China
Flag of the Bureau of High Speed Rail of the Republic of China Not in use since the Bureau of High Speed Rail merged into the Railway Bureau in 2018.
Flag of the Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau, MOTC, Republic of China Not in use since the Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau merged into the Freeway Bureau in 2018.
Flag of the Institute of Transportation of the Republic of China
2014–present Flag of the Maritime and Port Bureau of the Republic of China
2007–present Flag of the National Immigration Agency of the Republic of China
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Civil and merchant ensign

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1929–1966 Civil ensign of the Republic of China Four yellow zigzag stripes were added to the flag of the Republic of China for use as a civil ensign at sea. Present civil ensign is national flag.
1935 – c. 1949 Ensign of Chinese Fishery Patrol & Fishery Investigation Test Vessels
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Postal flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1935– Postal ensign of the Republic of China
1929–1935 The "Blue Sky with a White Sun" was placed in the canton.
1919–1929 White flag with the five-colored flag in the canton, bilingual text "Postes" in the lower hoist quarter, and a greylag goose in the fly half.
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Chinese Maritime Customs Service

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1977–present Customs flag
Flag of the Director General of Customs
1929–1950 Flag of the Inspector-General[b] Green background with yellow saltire superimposed by "Blue Sky with a White Sun" flag.
1931–1950 (In use by vessels until 1976) Ensign of Chinese Customs (Nanking Government)
1929–1931
1911–1928 Ensign of Chinese Customs (Beiyang Government)
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Salt Administration

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1929–1949 Ensign of the Chinese Salt Administration
1912–1929
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Yacht club ensign

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1966–present Yacht club ensign of the Republic of China Four yellow zigzag stripes are added to the flag of the Republic of China for use as a yacht club ensign. Previously used as civil ensign during 1928–66.
Yacht club burgee of the Republic of China The Blue Sky with a White Sun in a burgee (pennant) form.
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Sporting flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1979– Chinese Taipei Olympic flag The ROC is recognized as "Chinese Taipei" in the Olympics, due to the political status of Taiwan.
2019– Flag of Chinese Taipei used in the Paralympic Games
2004–2019
pre–2004
Flag of Chinese Taipei used in the Deaflympics
Flag of Chinese Taipei used in the Universiade
Flag of the Chinese Taipei Volleyball Association
Chinese Taipei esports flag Used in esports competitions organized by Blizzard Entertainment.
Former Chinese Taipei football flag
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City and county flags

As of November 1997, 18; 28 years ago (18-11-1997), the Chinese Government banned localities from making and using local flags and emblems.[30] Despite the ban, some cities have adopted their own flag that often includes their local emblem as shown below. The ROC-controlled areas continues to use the respective flags.

Provinces

The PRC-controlled mainland does not have provincial flags, but the ROC-controlled area has a flag for one of its two provinces.

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Taiwan Province
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More information Flag, Administrative division ...
Flag Administrative division Adopted Description
Kaohsiung City 2010–present Stylized "". The colors symbolize sunshine, vitality, environmental protection, and the ocean.[31]
New Taipei City Stylized "" in the form of four hearts arranged to resemble a four-leaf clover.
Taichung City 2008–present
Tainan City 2010–present
Taipei City
Taoyuan City 2014–present
Chiayi City
Keelung City
Changhua County
Chiayi County
Hsinchu County
Hualien County
Kinmen County
Lienchiang County
Miaoli County
Nantou County
Penghu County
Pingtung County
Taitung County
Yilan County
Yunlin County
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History

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1922–1949 Flag of Kunming[32] The flag features the former city emblem which consists of two intersecting red circles which represent the harmony of sun and moon, as well as western and eastern ideas. In the middle is a golden stylized symbol of a character.
1981–2010 Old flag of Taipei City Previous flag used by Taipei City, with its seal on top of 16 horizontal stripes of white and blue.
1999–2006 Old flag of New Taipei City
1980s–1999
2006–2010
?–2010 Old flag of Hsinchu County
2018–2019
2010–2018
1951–2010 Old flag of Taichung County
1978–2010 Old flag of Tainan City
?–2010 Old flag of Tainan County
1974–2009 Old flag of Kaohsiung City
?–1999 Old flag of Kaohsiung County
1999–2010 Old flag of Kaohsiung County
1984–2014 Old flag of Taitung County
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University flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1910s–? Flag of the University of China
1928–? Flag of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University
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Political flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
current
Link to file 2017–present Flag of the Taiwan People's Communist Party
2007–present Flag of Taiwan Civil Governmentzh
2006–present Flag of the Hakka Party
Flag of Sovereign State for Formosa & Pescadores Partyzh
Link to file 2005–present Flag of Taiwan Independent Unionzh
Link to file 2004–present Flag of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union
2003–present Flag of the Taiwan Labor Partyzh[33]
2000–present Flag of the People First Party
1993–present Flag of the New Party
2010s–present Flag of the Patriot Alliance Association
1993–present
1989–present Flag of the Labor Party Red flag with a green pile reversed (a triangle based at the bottom) and yellow star.
Link to file Flag of the Chinese People's Party
Link to file 1986–present Flag of the Democratic Progressive Party
?–present Flag of the Democratic Progressive Party ward on the Matsu Islands
1970–present Flag of World United Formosans for Independence
1923–present Flag of the Chinese Youth Party
1921–1949 Flag of the Chinese Communist Party Communist hammer and sickle. Used by the CPC during the Republic of China era.
1895–present Flag of the Kuomintang Blue Sky with a White Sun
former
2018–2020 Flag of the Congress Party Alliance
2014–2020 Flag of the Alliance of military personnel, officials and teacherszh
2007–2019 Flag of the Home Party
2018–2019 Flag of the Taiwan Military (Junta) Government, a self-declared government led by Gao Anguo.zh
2015–2019 Flag of the Minkuotang
2009–2020 Flag of the Taiwan Democratic Communist Party
Link to file 2007–2019 Flag of the Taiwan Farmers' Party
Link to file 1996–2020 Flag of the Taiwan Independence Party
Link to file 1994–2020 Flag of the Taiwan Communist Party
1991–2020 Flag of the Chinese Social Democratic Partyzh
1946–2020 Flag of the China Democratic Socialist Party Stylized "" in center
1933–1934 Flag of the Productive People's Party
1929–1931 Flag of the Taiwanese People's Party (Active in Japanese Taiwan)
1929 Influenced by:
1925–? Flag of the Guangdong Peasants' Association Chinese national flag charged with yellow plough in fly.
1925–1946 Flag of the Inner Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
1911–? Flag of the Royalist Party National flag (1889–1912)
19th–20th century Flag of the Yellow Sand Society Solid yellow flag
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Cultural flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
2018–present Flag of the Tao people A white flag with the traditional "boat's eye" symbol and traditional triangular ornaments on the top and bottom.[34]
2017–present Flag of the Rukai people The "Lily Flag" composed of three colors: red, yellow, and green, representing hope, love and peace. The lilies and eagle feathers represent the purity and fairness of the Rukai tribe, was designed by Jin Shaohua.[35]
2017–present Flag of Taiwanese indigenous peoples in Taichung
2016–present "National flag" of the Amis people in the Amis Music Festival.[36][37]
?–present Flag of the Amis people in Taidong (Falangaw tribezh)
1984–1998 Flag of the Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Aboriginal Rightszh
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Proposed flags

Republic of China

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1906 Teo Eng Hock and his wife's proposal 1 for the ROC flag
Proposal 2 for the ROC flag
Proposal 3 for the ROC flag, later adopted as the flag of the Republic of China Army
Proposal 4 for the ROC flag, later adopted as the flag of the China Zhi Gong Party
Proposal 5 for the ROC flag, later used as the flag of the marshall in Beiyang government
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Taiwan Independence Movement

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1955 Republic of Taiwan Provisional Government proposal
1994 Donald Liu's proposal
2005 908 Taiwan Republic Campaign's proposal
2013 World Taiwanese Congress proposal
2016 "Taiwan the Formosa" by Chih-Hao Chen
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Railway flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Railways Ensign of the Republic of China Also the flag of the Taiwan Railways Administration.
1919–1951 Railways Ensign of China Used in Taiwan from 1947 to 1951.
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House flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1942–1972 House flag of China Merchants Group[38]
1873–1942
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Association flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1938–1947 Flag of the Three Principles of the People Youth League
1952–present Flag of the China Youth Corps[39]
1937–present Flag of the Red Swastika Society
Flag of China Sailor's Union
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Warlords

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1933–1944 Flag of Xinjiang Used by Sheng Shicai's provincial government in Xinjiang until 1944.
1949 Flag used in a Ma clique rally.
1929 Flag used by Zhang Xueliang's troops Captured by Soviet soldiers in 1929.
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Xinhai Revolution

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1911 Flag of the Huaxinghui
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in the Xinhai Revolution in Anqing
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in the Xinhai Revolution in Changsha
1911 Flag used by the army led by Chen Jiongming
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in the Xinhai Revolution in Zhejiang
1911 Flag after the victory of the Kunming uprising
1911 Flag used by the Qing royalist force in the Xinhai Revolution in Gejiu
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Qing dynasty and other pre-1912 states

National flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1862–1912 Flag of the Qing dynasty Naval flag and quasi-national flag on international occasions.
1862–1890 Used on Qing dynasty naval ships for identification Triangular variant of national flag.
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Standards

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1862–1912 Standard of the Qing Emperor Azure Dragon on a plain right triangle yellow field with the red sun of the three-legged crow in the upper hoist corner.
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Military flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1644–1912 Flag of the Green Standard Army A green recolouring of the Imperial Standard of the Qing Emperor.
1615–1911 Flag of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners The Eight Banners was created in the early 17th century by Nurhaci to unify the Jurchen people into the Manchu dynasty. The first three banners were under the direct command of the Emperor himself.
Flag of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Plain White Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Plain Red Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Bordered White Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Bordered Red Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Plain Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
Flag of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
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More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1890–1912 The flag of the Qing Imperial Chinese Navy Square version of previous flag
1862–1890 Used on Qing dynasty naval ships for identification Same as national flag
1909–1911 Flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy Secretary.[40]
The flag of the admiral of the Beiyang Fleet.[40]
Command flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy vice admiral.[40]
Command flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy rear admiral.[40]
Command flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy commodore.[40]
Command flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy Senior Officer/Fleet Leader.[40]
Imperial Chinese Navy Duty Ship Pennant.[40]
Imperial Chinese Navy Commission Pennant.[40]
1890–1909 The flag of the admiral of the Beiyang Fleet.
1874–1890 The flag of the admiral of the Beiyang Fleet.
1890–1909 Flag of the Commander (Tongling) of Torpedo Boats
1905–1909 Flag of Provincial Commander-in-Chief of Beiyang Fleet
1890–1909 Flag of Commodore of Beiyang Fleet
1905–1909 Flag of High-ranking Official of Beiyang Fleet
Officer (Junguan) of the Beiyang Fleet
Flag of Minister of the Navy, or Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
Flag of the Admiral and Fleet Commander, or Vice Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
Flag of the Admiral and Squadron Commander, or Rear Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
Flag of the Commodore, or Commodore First Class (de jure, probably not used)
1890–1909 Flag of the Leader (Duizhang), or Commodore Second Class
Proposed
Proposed in 1863 Ensign of Qing Navy
Commission Pennant of Qing Navy
Other


Junk pennants In addition to the typical flags, some Qing ships also used individual silk pennants. The two pictures provided here are examples only.
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Chinese Maritime Customs Service

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1867–1911 Ensign of Chinese Customs A green flag with yellow saltire.
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House flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1873–1942 House flag of China Merchants Group
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Flags of localized regimes

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1860s–1885 Flag of the Black Flag Army Flag of the Black Flag Army, a Chinese-Vietnamese army and guerrilla force that fought against the French in the Sino-French War. A black flag with a white 令 character.
1895 Flag of the Republic of Formosa[41] Tiger on a plain blue field with azure clouds below it.
1883 Flag used by gold miners in the so-called Zheltuga Republic Described as a "black and yellow" flag "symbolizing the union of land and gold".[citation needed]
1873–1877 Flag of Yettishar
1865–1873
1856–1873 Flag of the Pingnan Guo
1661–1683 Flag of the Kingdom of Tungning
[citation needed]
The Chinese character "" in a red circle outline on a plain white field.
1624–1668 Flag of Dutch Formosa Flag of the Dutch East India Company
1626–1642 Flag of Spanish Formosa Cross of Burgundy
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Flags of the Boxer Rebellion

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
c.1890s–1901 Battle flag Battle flag used by the Yihetuan during the Boxer Rebellion. A red flag with a black square, inscribed with a red character 令 (pinyin: lìng; lit.'command' or 'order'), inspired by the flag of the Black Flag Army.
c.1890s–1901 Anti-foreign flag A type of flag used by the Yihetuan during the Boxer Rebellion, inscribed with the characters 扶清滅洋 (pinyin: fú qīng miè yáng; lit. 'Support the Qing and Destroy the Foreigners'). A contemporary French Jesuit's diary describes the flag as "yellow [...] with a black border."[42]
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Flags of the Chinese Pirates

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
c. 1849 Reputedly the flag of the Chinese pirate Shap-ng-tsai or decoration confused with the ensign. The flag is painted with a depiction of Zhang Daoling (34–156 AD), founder of Daoism as a religion in China. He is seated on a rock holding a Bagua (a symbol of Daoism) with a tiger or qilin behind him. A border of bats runs down the fly edge (a symbol of good luck).[43]
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Banners described by Wujing Zongyao

Banners described by Jixiao Xinshu

Banners described by Wubei Zhi

Banners present in old paintings

Manchukuo

National flag

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1945 Flag of Manchukuo A yellow field with the red, blue, white, and black stripes of the first flag of the Republic of China (see above) in the canton.
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Standards

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 Imperial standard of the Emperor of Manchukuo
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Manchukuo Imperial Army and Navy

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 War ensign of Manchukuo Used by the Manchukuo Imperial Army.
Flag of Navy Minister of Manchukuo
1932–1935 Flag of admiral of the Navy
1935–1945 Flag of admiral of the Navy
1932–1935 Flag of vice admiral of the Navy
1935–1945 Flag of vice admiral of the Navy
1932–1935 Flag of rear admiral of the Navy
1935–1945 Flag of rear admiral of the Navy
1932–1935 Flag of 1st class commodore of the Navy
1935–1945 Flag of 1st class commodore of the Navy
Flag of commander (2nd class commodore) of the Navy
Flag of superior commander of the Navy
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Government flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Shipping Office
Flag of the Manchukuo Coast Guard
Flag of Manchukuo Marine Transport
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Police flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Marine Police
Flag of the Chief of Civil Administration
Flag of the Chief of Police Civil Administration Used by the Manchukuo Marine Police.
Flag of the Chief of Marine Police
Flag of the Marine Police Senior Officer at Present Afloat
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Political flags

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1931–1945 Flag of the Concordia Association Contains the Chinese characters 協和.
1931–1943 Flag of the Russian Fascist Party Minor Russian émigré movement that was based in Manchukuo.
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Other

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Post Postal flag of Manchukuo.
Flag of the Boy Scouts of Manchukuo
1906–1945 Flag of the South Manchuria Railway
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Other Japanese puppet states

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1937–1938 Flag of the Great Way Government
1943 Flag of the New People's Society [zh] New People's Society [zh] (新民會, "Xinminhui"), a collaborationist, quasi-political-party organization in northern China under Japanese occupation.
1938–1940 Flag of the Reformed Government of the Republic of China
1936–1939 Flag of the Mongol Military Government, which became the Flag of the Mongol United Autonomous Government in 1937 A vertical pattern of red, yellow, white as a canton on a blue field.
1938–1939 Flag of the South Chahar Autonomous Government, also known as Chanan. Later merged with the Mongol United Autonomous Government and Jinbei to create Mengjiang A vertical pattern of red, white, blue as a canton on a yellow field.
Flag of the North Shanxi Autonomous Government, also known as Jinbei. Later merged with the Mongol United Autonomous Government and Chanan to create Mengjiang A vertical pattern of red, blue, white as a canton on a yellow field.
1939–1945 Flag of Mengjiang A horizontal pattern of yellow, blue, white, red, white, blue, and yellow again.
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Foreign concessions and colonies

Dalian

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1905–1945 Flag of the Kwantung Leased Territory Flag of Japan
1898–1905 Flag of Russian Dalian Flag of Russia
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Tianjin

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1901–1917 Flag of the Austro-Hungarian concession of Tianjin Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy
1902–1931 Flag of the Belgian concession of Tianjin Flag of Belgium
1860–1943 Flag of the British concession of Tianjin Union Jack
1901–1943 Flag of the Italian concession of Tianjin Flag of Italy
1900–1924 Flag of the Russian concession of Tianjin Flag of Russia
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Chinese Eastern Railway

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1935 A combination of the flag of Manchukuo at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1928–1932 A combination of the flag of the Republic of China at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1925–1928 A combination of the Five-Colored Flag at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1915–1925 A combination of a triangular version of the Five-Colored Flag in the lower hoist half, the flag of Russia in the upper fly quarter, and the text "East Provinces' Railway Company of China" in Chinese in the higher of the white triangles between the two designs.
1897–1915 A combination of the triangular version of the flag of the Qing dynasty, the flag of Russia in the upper fly quarter, and the text "East Provinces' Railway of Great Qing" in Chinese in the higher of the white triangles between the two designs.
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Hong Kong

Macau

Qingdao

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1898–1914 Flag of the Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory Flag of Germany (1867–1918)
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Shanghai

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
c. 1917–1941 Flag of the Shanghai Municipal Council
1863–c. 1917
1849–1943 Flag of the Shanghai French Concession Flag of France
1845–1863 Flag of the British Concession in Shanghai Union Jack
1848–1863 Flag of the American Concession in Shanghai Flag of the United States
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Weihai

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1903–1930 Flag of British Weihaiwei A British Blue Ensign with two Mandarin ducks standing on a beach.
1899–1903 Flag of the Commissioner of Weihaiwei
1903–1930
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Zhanjiang

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1898–1945 Flag of Guangzhouwan Flag of France
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Former secessionist states

East Turkestan

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
1945–1946 Flag of Second East Turkestan [further explanation needed]
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Tibet

More information Flag, Duration ...
Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of Chushi Gangdruk Used by Chushi Gangdruk, a Tibetan guerrilla group, until 1974. The group still exists among the Tibetan exiles and still uses the sword emblem.
1959–present Flag of Tibet Currently used by the Tibetan Government in Exile located in Dharamshala, India
1916–1951 Flag of Tibet (1912–1951)
1951–1959 Flag of the General Derge Se for the Tibetan Army
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Misattributed flags

This is a list of incorrect or fictitious flags which have been reported on as being factual and/or historical flags by contemporary or otherwise reputable sources or popularized on the Internet.

More information Flag, Date ...
Flag Date Use Description
Mistakes in historical sources


19th century Incorrect image of the Qing flag in the Western publication The dragon bears a resemblance to the one on the Flag of Wales.
20th century Alleged pre-1912 Tibetan flag Fictitious flag appearing on a collector card from a chocolate manufacturer featuring the palace of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa in the early 20th century. Identical to Chinese Merchant Group flag.
1935–1938 Alleged flag of the East Hebei Autonomous Government Erroneous flag appearing in a postcard published by Parliamentary Secretary Yin of the Jitong Defense Joint Self-Government in Hebei. The blue and yellow banners are switched due to erroneous coloring. Identical to Provincial Commander-in-Chief of Beiyang Fleet flag.
1937 Alleged flag of the Mongol United Autonomous Government Erroneous flag of the Mongol United Autonomous Government based on The Airpost Journal's description. It mentions "a square of horizontal red, yellow, white and black stripes".[44]
Historical fiction
7th century (de facto 1990s) Alleged flag of the Tibetan Empire A modern interpretation of an uncertain standard of the Tibetan Emperor, Songtsen Gampo.
21st century Flag allegedly representing the Tang dynasty on the internet. Similar flags are attributed to other dynasties.
Flags allegedly representing the Mongol Empire or Yuan dynasty on the internet. A white Soyombo on a blue background.
The "Sun Moon Flag", attributed to the Ming dynasty Improperly used both on the internet and in real life.[45]
Another variant of the Ming dynasty flag
1931–1945[c] Flag of the Concordia Association Contains the Manchu text ᠰᡳᡝᡥᠣᡥᡠᡳ. The Manchu version has never been used.
? Alleged flag of the pirate Gan Ning Various flags containing a bell are assigned to a pirate on the Internet.
? Alleged flag of the pirate Ching Shih
Fictional ethnic flags
2010 Flag of the Han dynasty, Han nationalism (contemporary) and Han Chinese[d] The loong symbol is from Qinglong Wadang manufactured in Han dynasty, collected in Xi'an museum.
around 2010s
around 2012 Flag of the Zhuang people[e]
Flag of the Yi people[f]
21st century Flag of the Salar people[g]
Other
? Proposed tricolour flag for Chaoshan (East Cantonia), China Used by autonomist activists.
20th–21st century Xiang separatist movement flag Used by the Hunan independence movement.
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In 2012, Vietnam mistakenly used a six-star flag for China (one big and five small stars) during the visit of the President of China.[47][48]

See also

Notes

  1. Flag of the Wuchang uprising.
  2. Still used by the ROC Minister of Finance until 2014.
  3. De facto used by Manchurian nationalists in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan in 21st century.
  4. Created by 华小桶 for the Han dynasty in 2010, and used by Han nationalist netizens from 2014 or 2015. This flag has also been used to represent the Han Dynasty in some historical reenactments.[46]
  5. The project was created by Leonardo Piccioni de Almeida and gained some popularity among Internet users criticizing the PRC. PRC law prohibits the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Zhuang language.
  6. The project was created by Leonardo Piccioni de Almeida and gained some popularity among Internet users criticizing the PRC. PRC law prohibits the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Yi language.
  7. Tamga of the Salur tribe is actually used, but there is no evidence that it is used as a flag. PRC law prohibits the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Salar language.

References

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