Flag of Laos Facts for Kids

Flag of Laos

The flag of Laos is the national symbol of the country Laos. It has three horizontal stripes: red at the top, a wider blue stripe in the middle, and red at the bottom. In the very center of the blue stripe, there is a large white circle. This white circle is quite big, taking up most of the height of the blue stripe. This flag was officially adopted on December 2, 1975, when Laos became a country with a socialist government.

What the Flag Means
- Colors of the Flag
History of the Lao Flag
- Earlier Flags of Laos
- The Change in 1975
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What the Flag Means

The colors and symbols on the flag of Laos each have a special meaning. These meanings help tell the story of the country and its people.

Colors of the Flag

The flag uses three main colors: red, blue, and white.

Red: The two red stripes at the top and bottom of the flag represent the blood shed by the Lao people. This blood was given during their fight for freedom and independence from other countries. It reminds everyone of the sacrifices made to create their own nation.
Blue: The wide blue stripe in the middle stands for the wealth and prosperity of Laos. It symbolizes the country's bright future and its rich natural resources. Blue also represents the Mekong River, which is very important to the people of Laos.
White Circle: The white circle in the center has a few meanings. It represents the unity of the Lao people, showing that everyone in the country is working together. It also symbolizes a bright future and the full moon shining over the Mekong River. Some also say it represents the unity of Laos under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, which is the ruling political party.

History of the Lao Flag

Laos has had different flags throughout its history, especially when it was under the control of other nations.

Earlier Flags of Laos

Before 1975, Laos used a different flag. This flag had a red background with a three-headed white elephant on it. The elephant was standing on a five-tiered pedestal, under a white umbrella. This flag was used by the Kingdom of Laos from 1953 to 1975. The three-headed elephant represented the three former kingdoms that made up Laos. The umbrella was a traditional royal symbol.

The Change in 1975

The current flag was first designed in 1945 by a Lao nationalist named Maha Sila Viravong. It was used for a short time by the Lao Issara government, which was a group fighting for independence. After Laos gained full independence, the Kingdom of Laos flag was used. However, in 1975, there was a big change in the government of Laos. The Pathet Lao, a communist political movement, took control of the country. When the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established on December 2, 1975, they officially adopted the current flag. This flag was chosen because it represented the new socialist government and the people's struggle for freedom.