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

People's Republic of China

National flags

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 to the right at the canton. This flag is flown in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Special administrative regions flags

Main articles: Flag of Hong Kong and Flag of Macau
Flag Duration Use Description
1 July 1997 – present Flag of Hong Kong[2] A white, five-petal Bauhinia blakeana on a red field with 1 star on each of the petals. The Chinese name of Bauhinia × blakeana has also been frequently shortened as 紫荊/紫荆 (洋 yáng means "foreign" in Chinese, and this would be deemed inappropriate by the PRC government), although 紫荊/紫荆 refers to another genus called Cercis. A statue of the plant has been erected in Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong.
20 December 1999 – present Flag of Macau[3] A lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars on a green field

Military flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1948–present Flag of the People's Liberation Army[4] 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 1 August 1927.
1992–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force[4] The PLA flag with a green stripe at the bottom.
1950s Jack of the People's Liberation Army Navy[5] The red flag with PLA emblem and a blue stripe in the center.
1992–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Navy[4] The PLA flag with 5 horizontal lines, 3 blue and 2 white at the bottom, representing the sea.
1992–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Air Force[4] The PLA flag with a blue stripe at the bottom, representing the sky.
2016–present Ensign of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force[6][7] 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[8] The PLA flag with three green bars at the bottom.

Civil flags

Flag Duration Use Description

1949–present Flag of Young Pioneers of China[9] Red flag with yellow five-pointed star and torch in the middle.
1922–present Flag of Communist Youth League of China[10] Red flag with encircled yellow five-pointed star.
1950s–present Flag of the Customs of the People's Republic of China[11] The caduceus crossed with a golden key is added to flag of the People's Republic of China.
2018–present Flag of the China Fire and Rescue Service[12] Bicolor flag in red and blue with the badge of the China Fire and Rescue Service at the top and the bilingual 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[13] 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[14] Red flag with the organization's logo and a blue wall.
1945–1979[citation needed] Flag of Inner-Mongolian Autonomous Government [15] 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 to for equal autonomy under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

City flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1997 Flag of Ningbo[16]
June 1988 – December 1997 Flag of Nanjing[16]
March 2006 – present Flag of Kaifeng[16]
2009 – present Flag of Shangrao[16]

Political flags

Further information: Emblem of the Chinese Communist Party
Flag Duration Use Description
1996–present Flag of the Chinese Communist Party[17] A red flag with a golden Party emblem on it.[17]
1921–1996 Flag of the Chinese Communist Party Communist hammer and sickle.

1927–1964 Flag of the Chinese Peasants' Association Plough flag
1925–1953 Flag of the China Party for Public Interest Stylized "井" in canton

Flags of Political Groups and Separatist Movements

See also: List of political parties in China, Secession in China, and List of Hong Kong flags § Political flags
Flag Duration Use Description
2008–2009 Flag of the Maoist Communist Party of China Red flag featuring a portrait of young Mao Zedong on the top left.
1989 Flag of the Beijing Students' Autonomous Federation[18] 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 Kokbayraq flag of the East Turkestan independence movement First 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

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.[19]

Alternative proposals

Selection of proposals

House flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1984–present House flag of China Merchants Group[22]
1951–1984
1960–1993 House flag of COSCO

Historical Communist States

Flag Duration Use Description
1931–34 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.
1931–34 Flag of Chinese Soviet Republic[23] Red flag with the national emblem in the center.
1933–34 Flag of 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 Qionghai Sovietzh

Historical Military Flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1931 Flag of the Northeast Righteous and Brave Army[24] 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[25]
1927–1928 Flag of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army[5] Same as the 1928 version, but the left 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[24] Left 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 left 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[5] 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[5] Same as 1934 version but with blank white left side and colored fringe around the edges (6 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[23]
1937–1947 Flag of the Eighth Route Army (18th Group Army)[24] 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 side.

Republic of China

National flags

Flag Duration Use Description
9 December 1928 – present Flag of the Republic of China[26] Commonly known as "Taiwan". A red field, with a blue canton containing a 12-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. This flag can sometimes be seen in Mainland China, for historical and unofficial use.
1950–present Flag of the Republic of China (vertical) Vertical red banner; in the canton, a Blue Sky with a White Sun pointing upward on a blue field.
1940–1943 Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China. Used by the Japanese puppet government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction".
1940–1943 Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China. Used by the Japanese puppet government until 1943 when the pennant was removed and the regular ROC flag took its place. The pennant reads "Peace, Anti-Communism".
1940–1943 Flag of the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China. Used by the Japanese puppet 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.
1938–1940

flag of Reformed Government of the Republic of China

1916 Flag of 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 Empire of China.
1911–1912 Flag used during the 1911 revolution, in de facto independent Sichuan.zh[27]
1911–1912 Baguataiji flag used during the 1911 revolution, in de facto independent Shanxi Provincial Military Government,zh led by Yan Xishan

Standards

Head of state

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)

Vice president

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.

Other high executive officials

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

Military flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1986–present Flag of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Republic of China Armed Forces)[28]
1986–present Flag of the Chief of the General Staff (Republic of China Armed Forces)[28]
1924–present Flag of the Republic of China Military Police
1945–present Flag of the Republic of China Armed Forces Reserve[28]
1946–2012 Flag of the Republic of China Joint Logistics Command
1945–1992 Flag of the Taiwan Garrison Command

Army

Flag Duration Use Description
1924–present Flag of the Republic of China Army (formerly National Revolutionary Army) The Blue Sky with a White Sun with a 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 Flag of the Wuchang uprising; army flag of the Republic of China 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.

Navy

Flag Duration Use Description
Naval ensign
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
Naval jack
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
1912– Admiral's Flag
1912– Vice Admiral's Flag
1912– 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

Air Force

Flag Duration Use Description
1981–present Flag of the Republic of China Air Force
1948–1981 Old flag of the Republic of China Air Force
1937–1948 Old flag of the Republic of China Air Force
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

Marine Corps

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

Combined Logistics Command

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

National Defense University

Flag Duration Use Description
2014–present Banner of the Military College of the National Defense University
2014–present The banner of the Military College of Command and Staff of the National Defense University
2014–present Naval Command and Staff College Flag
2014–present Air Command and Staff College Flag
2014–present National Defense Medical Center Flag
2014–present Flag of Fu Hsing Kang College
2014–present Chung Cheng Institute of Technology Flag
2014–present 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

Coast Guard Administration

Flag Duration Use Description
2000–present Flag of the Coast Guard Administration of the Republic of China
2000–present Flag of the Minister of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
2000–present Flag of the Director of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
2000–present Flag of the Nansha Commander of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
2000–present Flag of the Director General of Coast Guard of the Republic of China
2000–present Unit Flag of Coast Guard of Republic of China
1925–1928 Ensign of Coastal Defense of Republic of China

Police

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 the 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
1974–present Flag of Central Police University
1974–present Flag of Volunteer Police of the Republic of China
1974–present Flag of Director-General of ROC Police
1974–present Flag of Commissioner of Direct-controlled municipality of ROC Police
1932–1949 Flag of Voluntary Police of the Republic of China

Water Police

Flag Duration Use Description
1928–1949 Ensign of the Chinese Water Police
1912–1928 Ensign of the Chinese Water Police

Fire Service

Flag Duration Use Description
1996–present Flag of fire service of the Republic of China
1996–present Unit Flag of Fire Service

Rescue aviation

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

Ministries

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

Councils

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

Agency

Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau of the Republic of China
Flag of Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Republic of China
Flag of Bureau of High Speed Rail of the Republic of China
Flag of Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau, MOTC, Republic of China
Flag of Institute of Transportation of the Republic of China
2014–present Flag of Maritime and Port Bureau of the Republic of China
2007–present Flag of National Immigration Agency of the Republic of China

Civil and Merchant Ensign

Flag Duration Use Description
1929–1966 Civil Ensign of the Republic of China Four serrated yellow stripes are added to the flag of the Republic of China for use as a civil ensign at sea. Present civil ensign is national flag.
1935 – around 1949 Ensign of Chinese Fishery Patrol & Fishery Investigation Test Vessels

Postal flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1935– Postal Ensign of the Republic of China
1929–1935 Postal ensign of China The "Blue Sky with a White Sun" was placed in the canton.
1919–1929 Postal ensign of China 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.

Chinese Maritime Customs Service

Flag Duration Use Description
1977–present Customs flag
1977–present Flag of Director General of Customs
1929–1950 Flag of the Inspector-General, 1929–1950 and is still used by the ROC Minister of Finance until 2014 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 Ensign of Chinese Customs (Nanking Government)
1911–1928 Ensign of Chinese Customs (Beiyang Government)

Salt Administration

Flag Duration Use Description
1929–1949 Ensign of the Chinese Salt Administration
1912–1929

Yacht Club Ensign

Flag Duration Use Description
1966–present Yacht Club Ensign of the Republic of China Four serrated yellow 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.
1966–present Yacht Club Burgee of the Republic of China The Blue Sky with a White Sun in a burgee (pennant) form.

Sporting flags

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
Flag of Chinese Taipei used in the Deaflympics
Flag of Chinese Taipei used in the Universiade
Chinese Taipei volleyball flag
Chinese Taipei esports flag Used in esports competitions organized by Blizzard Entertainment.
2004–2019 Chinese Taipei Paralympic Flag
pre-2004 Chinese Taipei Paralympic Flag
Former Chinese Taipei Football Flag

City and county flags

As of 18 November 1997, the Chinese Government banned localities from making and using local flags and emblems.[29] 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.

Flag Duration Use Description
Taiwan Province
Flag Administrative division Adopted Description
Kaohsiung City 2010–present Stylized "高". The colors symbolize sunshine, vitality, environmental protection, and the ocean.[30]
New Taipei City 2010–present Stylized "北" in the form of four hearts arranged to resemble a four-leaf clover.
Taichung City 2008–present
Tainan City 2010–present
Taipei City 2010–present
Taoyuan City 2014–present
Chiayi City
Hsinchu 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

History

Flag Duration Use Description
1922–1949 Flag of Kunming[31] 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 市 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 Old flag of New Taipei City
2006–2010 Old flag of New Taipei City
?–2010
2018–2019		 Old flag of Hsinchu County
2010–2018 Old flag of Hsinchu County
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

University flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1910s-? Flag of the University of China
1928–2010s Flag of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Political flags

Flag Duration Use Description
current
Link to file 2017–present Flag of Taiwan People's Communist Party
2007–present Flag of Taiwan Civil Governmentzh
2006–present Flag of Hakka Party
2006–present 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 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union
2003–present Flag of Taiwan Labor Partyzh[32]
2000–present Flag of People First Party
1993–present Flag of New Party
2010s–present Flag of the Patriot Alliance Association
1993–present
1989–present Flag of Labor Party Red flag with green pile reversed and yellow star
Link to file 1989–present Flag of Chinese People's Party
Link to file 1986–present Flag of Democratic Progressive Party
?–present Flag of Democratic Progressive Party ward on the Matsu Islands
1970–present Flag of World United Formosans for Independence
1923–present Flag of 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 Kuomintang Blue Sky with a White Sun
former
2018–2020 Flag of Congress Party Alliance
2014–2020 Flag of Alliance of military personnel, officials and teacherszh
2007–2019 Flag of Home Party
2018–2019 Flag of the Taiwan Military (Junta) Government, a self-declared government led by Gao Anguo.zh
2015–2019 Flag of Minkuotang
2009–2020 Flag of Taiwan Democratic Communist Party
Link to file 2007–2019 Flag of Taiwan Farmers' Party
Link to file 1996–2020 Flag of Taiwan Independence Party
Link to file 1994–2020 Flag of Taiwan Communist Party
1991–2020 Flag of Chinese Social Democratic Partyzh
1946–2020 China Democratic Socialist Party flag Stylized "井" in center
1933–1934 Flag of the Productive People's Party
1929–1931 Flag of Taiwanese People's Party (Active in Japanese Taiwan)
1929 Influences:
1925–? Flag of 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

Cultural flags

Flag Duration Use Description
2018–present Flag of Tao people A white flag with the traditional "boat's eye" symbol and traditional triangular ornaments on the top and bottom.[33]
2017–present Flag of 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.[34]
2017–present Flag of Taiwanese indigenous peoples in Taichung
2016–present "National flag" of Amis people in the Amis Music Festival.[35][36]
?–present Flag of Amis people in Taidong (Falangaw tribezh)
1984–1998 Flag of Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Aboriginal Rightszh

Proposed flags

Republic of China

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

Taiwan Independence Movement

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

Railway flags

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.

House flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1942–1972 House flag of China Merchants Group[37]
1873–1942

Association flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1938–1947 Flag of Three Principles of the People Youth League
1952–present Flag of China Youth Corps[38]
1937–present Flag of Red Swastika Society
Flag of China Sailor's Union

Warlords

Flag Duration Use Description
1942–1944 Flag of Xinjiang Used by Sheng Shicai's provincial government in Xinjiang until 1944.
1933–1942 Flag of Xinjiang Used by Sheng Shicai's provincial government in Xinjiang until 1942.
1929 Flag used by Zhang Xueliang's troops Captured by Soviet soldiers in 1929.
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in Xinhai Revolution in Anqing
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in Xinhai Revolution in Changsha
1911 Flag used by the army led by Chen Jiongming
1911 Flag used by the rebel force in Xinhai Revolution in Zhejiang
1911 Flag after the victory of the Kunming uprising
1911 Flag used by the Qing royalist force in Xinhai Revolution in Gejiu

Pre-Qing States

Standards

Flag Duration Use Description
1046 BC–1912 The Great Chang Banner 12 dragons and 24 clouds on a golden field and 2 dragons with a constellation and two clouds holding the sun and moon, also called Banner of Celestial Bodies. This banner reigns supreme among other banners specified in the Zhou dynasty's ritual system (which was still adopted and implemented by later dynasties). The "great" part is written either 太 (tai) or 大 (da), but their meanings are essentially identical.

Qing dynasty and other pre-1912 states

National flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1862–90 Flag of the Qing Dynasty Naval flag and quasi-national flag on international occasions.
1862–1890 Used on Qing Dynasty naval ships for identification Same as national flag

Standards

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 left corner.

Military flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1644–1912 Flag of the Green Standard Army 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.
1615–1911 Flag of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Plain White Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Plain Red Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Bordered White Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Bordered Red Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Plain Blue Banner of the Eight Banners
1615–1911 Flag of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners

Navy

Flag Duration Use Description
1890–1912 The flag of the Qing Imperial Chinese Navy Square version of above flag
1862–1890 Used on Qing Dynasty naval ships for identification Same as national flag
1909–1911 Flag for the Imperial Chinese Navy Secretary.[39]
1909–1911 The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1909 to 1911.[39]
1909–1911 Command flag for Imperial Chinese Navy Vice Admiral.[39]
1909–1911 Command flag for Imperial Chinese Navy Rear Admiral.[39]
1909–1911 Command flag for Imperial Chinese Navy Commodore.[39]
1909–1911 Command flag for Imperial Chinese Navy Senior Officer's/Fleet Leader.[39]
1909–1911 Imperial Chinese Navy Duty Ship Pennant.[39]
1909–1911 Imperial Chinese Navy Commission Pennant.[39]
1890–1909 The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1890 to 1909.
1874–1890 The flag of the Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet from 1874 to 1890.
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
1905–1909 Officer (Junguan) of the Beiyang Fleet
1905–1909 Flag of Minister of the Navy, or Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
1905–1909 Flag of the Admiral and Fleet Commander, or Vice Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
1905–1909 Flag of the Admiral and Squadron Commander, or Rear Admiral (de jure, probably not used)
1905–1909 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 Proposed in 1863 ensign of Qing Navy
Proposed in 1863 Proposed in 1863 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.

Chinese Maritime Customs Service

Flag Duration Use Description
1867–1911 Ensign of Chinese Customs A green flag with yellow saltire.

House flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1873–1942 House flag of China Merchants Group
1872–1873[22]

Flags of localized regimes

Flag Duration Use Description
1890s–1901 Flag of the Yihetuan Flag used by the Yihetuan during the Boxer Rebellion. A red flag with a black square with a red inscribed 令 character, inspired by the flag of the Black Flag Army.
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[40] Tiger on a plain blue filed with azure clouds below it.
1883 Flag used by gold miners in so-called Zheltuga Republic Flag of the Zheltuga Republic as seen on the photograph and as written in the description ("black and yellow" flag "symbolizing the union of land and gold".
1873–1877 Flag of Yettishar Used by Yettishar until 1877.
1865–1873 Flag of Yettishar Used by Yettishar until 1873.
1856–1873 Flag of Pingnan Guo
1661–1683 Flag of the Kingdom of Tungning The Chinese character "鄭" in a red circle outline on a plain white field.
1624–1668 Flag of the Dutch Formosa Flag of the Dutch East India Company
1626–1642 Flag of the Spanish Formosa Cross of Burgundy
? Flag of the Chagatai Khanate Gold square in the middle of a white banner, as depicted in the Catalan Atlas.

Flags of the Chinese Pirates

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).[41]

Banners described by Wujing Zongyao

Banners described by Jixiao Xinshu

Banners described by Wubei Zhi

Banners present in old paintings

Manchukuo

Main article: Flag of Manchukuo

National flag

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.

Standards

Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 Imperial standard of the Emperor of Manchukuo. Used by the Emperor of Manchukuo.

Manchukuo Imperial Army and Navy

Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 War ensign of Manchukuo. Used by the Manchukuo Imperial Army.
1935–1945 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
1935–1945 Flag of commander (2nd class commodore) of the Navy
1935–1945 Flag of superior commander of the Navy

Government flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1935–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Shipping Office. Used by the Manchukuo Shipping Office.
1935–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Coast Guard. Used by the Manchukuo Coast Guard.
1935–1945 Flag of Manchukuo Marine Transport.

Police flags

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

Political flags

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

Other

Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1945 Flag of the Manchukuo Post Postal flag of Manchukuo.
1932–1945 Flag of the Boy Scouts of Manchukuo. Used by the Boy Scouts of Manchukuo.
1906–1945 Flag of the South Manchuria Railway.

Other Japanese puppet states

Flag Duration Use Description
1937–1938 Flag of the Great Way Government.
1943 Flag of the New Peoples' Society. 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.
1937 Flag of the Mongol United Autonomous Government (alternate reconstruction). Reconstruction of the 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".[42]
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.
1938–1939 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.

Taiwan

Flag Duration Use Description
1916–1945 Postal Flags of Japanese Taiwan
1898–1916
1901–1945 Police flags of Japanese Taiwan
1897–1901
1929–1945 Ensign of Export-import Plant Inspection Vessel of Japanese Taiwan
1936–1945 Ensign of Traffic Bureau Maritime Office Vessel of Japanese Taiwan
?-1945 Flag of Japanese Taiwan Power Company

Foreign concessions and colonies

Dalian

Flag Duration Use Description
1905–1945 Kwantung Leased Territory Flag of Japan
1898–1905 Russian Dalian Flag of Russia

Tianjin

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

Chinese Eastern Railway

Flag Duration Use Description
1932–1935 A combination with the flag of Manchukuo at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1928–1932 A combination with the Flag of the Republic of China at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1925–1928 A combination with the Five Races Under One Union flag at the top and the flag of Soviet Union at the bottom.
1915–1925 A combination of the triangular version of the Five Races Under One Union flag and the flag of Russia, with the text "East Provinces' Railway Company of China" in Chinese.
1897–1915 A combination of the triangular version of the flag of the Qing dynasty and the flag of Russia, with the text "East Provinces' Railway of Great Qing" in Chinese.

Hong Kong

Main article: List of Hong Kong flags

Macau

Main article: List of Macanese flags

Qingdao

Flag Duration Use Description
1898–1914 Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory Flag of Germany (1867–1918)

Shanghai

Flag Duration Use Description
c. 1917–1941 Shanghai International Settlement
1863–c. 1917
1849–1943 Shanghai French Concession Flag of France
1845–1863 British Concession in Shanghai Union Jack
1848–1863 American Concession in Shanghai Flag of the United States

Weihai

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

Zhanjiang

Flag Duration Use Description
1898–1945 Guangzhouwan Flag of France

Secessionist states

East Turkestan

Flag Duration Use Description
1933–1934 and 1944–1949 Flag of the First and Second East Turkestan Republic

Tibet

Flag Duration Use Description
1958–1974 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) Used by Tibet until 1951.
?–1951 Flag of the General Derge Se for the Tibetan Army

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.

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.
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.[43]
Another variant of the Ming Dynasty Flag
1931–1945 (de facto 21st century) Flag of the Concordia Association. Contains the Manchu text ᠰᡳᡝᡥᠣᡥᡠᡳ. The Mandzurian 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
around 2012 Flag of the Zhuang people. The project was created by Leonardo Piccioni de Almeida and gained some popularity among Internet users criticizing the PRC. PRC law does not allow the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Zhuang language.
Flag of the Yi people. The project was created by Leonardo Piccioni de Almeida and gained some popularity among Internet users criticizing the PRC. PRC law does not allow the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Yi language.

21st century Flag of the Salar people. Tamga of the Salur tribe is actually used, but there is no evidence that it is used as a flag. PRC law does not allow the use of cultural flags. Some websites use this flag to represent the Salar language.
Flag of the Li people.[citation needed] A similar flag is used by the Kachin Independence Army in Myanmar
Other
? Proposed tricolour flag for Chaoshan (East Cantonia), China, to be used by autonomist activists
20th–21st century Xiang separatist movement flag. Used by the Hunan independence movement.

See also

References

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External links

Lists of flags
Flags of Asia
Categories