3 March 1992; 32 years ago (1992-03-03) (first introduction) 26 December 2023; 3 months ago (2023-12-26) (current version)
Design
A red field charged with a yellow sun with forty uniformly spaced rays, representing the forty clans united in legend by Manas; the sun is crossed by two sets of four lines, representing the traditional Kyrgyz yurt.
A red field charged with the national emblem in the center, used by local governments in Kyrgyzstan
The national flag of Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасынын Мамлекеттик туусу, romanized: Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik tuusu, lit. 'State flag of the Kyrgyz Republic') consists of a red field charged with a yellow sun that contains a depiction of a tunduk, the opening in the center of the roof of a yurt (traditional nomadic tent). Adopted in 1992, just over seven months after the country's independence was declared, to replace the flag of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), it has been the flag of the Kyrgyz Republic since that year. The red on the flag is said to be inspired by the pennant lifted by Manas, the country's folk hero.
History
Shahada flag used by Kyrgyz rebels in revolts in 1898 and 1916.
Under Soviet rule, the Union Republic — coterminous with modern-day Kyrgyzstan — utilized a flag derived from the flag of the Soviet Union and representing Communism, that was adopted in 1953.[3] It declared itself independent on 31 August 1991, approximately four months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.[4] Nevertheless, the Soviet-era flag maintained its status as the national flag for seven months after independence was declared.[3] It was finally replaced by new design on 3 March 1992, one day after Kyrgyzstan was admitted to the United Nations along with seven other post-Soviet states.[3][5]
Kyrgyz former flag in flight, photographed in 2008
In late 2023, a debate was led in the Zhogorku Kengesh (parliament of Kyrgyzstan) to straighten the wavy sun rays due to its supposed similarity to a sunflower,[6][7] which in Kyrgyz culture can signify "a fickle and servile person willing to switch allegiance for personal benefit". The bill passed its first reading on 29 November, and second and third readings on 20 December.[8][9] The bill was signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov on 22 December.[10] The law was officially published on 26 December and came into force on the same day.[11]
A red flag with the hammer and sickle and bilingual initials for Kirgyz SSR in the canton.
1952–1991
A red flag with a gold-bordered red star, hammer and sickle in the canton, and two navy blue bars and a white stripe in the middle.
Post-Cold War (1991–present)
1991–1992
The flag of the Kyrgyz SSR remained in use for a year.
The red star, hammer and sickle were completely dropped.
1992–2023
National flag of the Kyrgyz Republic
A yellow sun with a traditional Kyrgyz yurt motif in its center on a red field.
2023–present
The sun's rays were straightened to reduce its supposed resemblance to a sunflower.
The number of holes in the lattice in the center of the flag has also been increased
Design
Symbolism
The interior view of a Kyrgyz yurt's roofOne of the proposed national flags from 2011.
The colors and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The red field stands for "bravery and valor",[4] and alludes to the purported emblem hoisted by Manas, the national hero of Kyrgyzstan.[3][12] The sun epitomizes peace and prosperity,[4] while its 40 rays stand for the number of tribes united by Manas to fight against the Mongols,[12][13] as well as the number of followers he had.[3][5]
The centre of the sun features a stylized illustration of the roof (tunduk) atop a traditional Kyrgyz tent (yurt) when viewed from the interior.[3][5][14] Although these tents are less commonly used today,[3] its incorporation into the flag is meant to symbolize the "origin of life", the "unity of time and space", as well as the people's "hearth and home" and their history.[3][5]
Proposals for change
In late 2023, a debate was led in the Zhogorku Kengesh (parliament of Kyrgyzstan) to straighten the wavy sun rays due to its supposed similarity to a sunflower,[15][16] which in Kyrgyz culture can signify "a fickle and servile person willing to switch allegiance for personal benefit". The bill passed its first reading on 29 November, and second and third readings on 20 December.[17][18]
The red field has also been the source of much criticism. Some believe that it evokes the nation's tempestuous history, while others are of the opinion that it is a lingering remnant of communism in the country.[19]
^"Три варианта. Что хотят изменить во флаге Кыргызстана?" [Three options. What do they want to change in the flag of Kyrgyzstan?]. Радио Азаттык (Кыргызская служба Радио Свободная Европа/Радио Свобода) (in Russian). 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
^"Три варианта. Что хотят изменить во флаге Кыргызстана?" [Three options. What do they want to change in the flag of Kyrgyzstan?]. Радио Азаттык (Кыргызская служба Радио Свободная Европа/Радио Свобода) (in Russian). 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
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