The design of the Maldivian flag had undergone many changes since its first appearance.
The first banner of Maldives was a simple red flag. Flags were originally meant to serve a practical purpose and red was the most visible colour in a blue environment (ocean and sky ) .
First flag of Maldives
Later on, black and white stripes called the dhandimathi were added to the red banner. These stripes represented an extension of the flagpole as in the olden days hoists were painted in white with a black strips spiralling upwards. This Flag was used until the early 20th century.
Maldivian flag with dhandimathi
Between 1926 and 1932, Abdul Majeed Didi future sultan of Maldives (although he never accepted the crown) and prime minister of Maldives at this time added a crescent to the national flag.
National flag used until 1953
At the same time another distinct state flag was created, adding a green rectangle to the national banner. This flag was created especially to indicate the British protectorate of the Maldives.
Maldives protectorate state flag used until 1953
This flag was used until 1953 when the sultanate was suspended, the First Republic was declared after referendum, and the British protectorate briefly terminated. Maldives becoming a republic resulted in another flag change. The old national flag was dropped and the state flag became the new national flag. Only a change was made, the crescent was reversed in order to face the hoist.
Maldives protectorate flag used from 1953 to 1965
The short-lived Republic ended in 1954 after a revolution brought by the people of Male and the death of the first elected president of the country : Mohamed Amin Didi. Soon after, the sultanate was restored and the British protectorate as well but the flag remained unchanged. Instead, the new Sultan (future King of Maldives) Muhammad Fareed Didi created a new flag especially for him, adding a star next to the crescent.
Sultan’s personal flag used from 1954 to 1965
A modified version of this flag is still used today as the Presidential Standard with the black and white hoist removed.
President of Maldives personal flag introduced in 1968 and still in use nowadays.
Between 1959 and 1963, Maldives central government faced an insurrection from the remote southern atolls of the Maldives Islands (Addu Atoll, Huvadhu Atoll and Fuvahmulah) also called the Suvadive archipelago. A new flag was created and displayed to represent this new born independent republic. They capitulated, rejoining the rest of the nation, on September 23, 1963.
Flag used by the short lived Republic of Sudadive ( 1959 to 1963 )
On March 15, 1968, a national referendum was held and 81,23% of the Maldivian population favored the idea of establishing a republic. The new republic was declared on November 11, 1968, gaining independence from the British and ending 853 years of monarchy. At this occasion the black and white hoist was removed giving the flag its present form.
Present flag of the Maldives
The red rectangle represents the courage of the Maldives heroes, and the blood dropped in the defense of the country. The green rectangle symbolizes peace and prosperity. The white crescent moon represents the unified Islamic faith.
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