Flags of Asia - The Great Nations

Explanation: The "Hinomaru" (circle of the sun) represents Japan as the "land of the rising sun." Officially adopted in 1999, it has been used for centuries by Japanese emperors.

Explanation: The 5 yellow stars on a red background: the large one represents the Chinese Communist Party, the 4 small ones the united social classes (workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeoisie). Adopted in 1949.

Explanation: The yin-yang (Taeguk) in the center symbolizes cosmic balance. The 4 trigrams in the corners represent heaven, earth, water and fire, from Eastern philosophy.

Explanation: 5 yellow stars: one large for the Chinese Communist Party and 4 small for the classes of the people (workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeoisie). The red background symbolizes the revolution.

Explanation: The Indian flag features three horizontal stripes, saffron (courage), white (peace) and green (faith and fertility), with a navy-blue symbol at the centre. It was adopted on 22 July 1947, just before independence.

Explanation: The crescent and star on a red background are inherited from the Ottoman Empire. The current Turkish flag dates from 1844. The red symbolizes the blood of the nation's martyrs.

Explanation: The shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) in white calligraphy on a green background, with a sword below. It is the only national flag featuring a religious inscription. It can never be flown at half-mast.

Explanation: The Ashoka Chakra (Dharma Chakra) with 24 spokes represents perpetual motion and cosmic law. It is placed in the center of the white band, between saffron (courage) and green (fertility).

Explanation: The yellow 5-pointed star on a red background was adopted in 1955. The points represent the five components of the people: workers, peasants, soldiers, intellectuals and youth.

Explanation: The 5 red-white-blue-white-red Thai bands date from 1917. The central blue stripe, added that year, symbolizes the monarchy. Previously, the flag featured a white elephant on a red background.

Explanation: The Star of David (Magen David) between two blue stripes reminiscent of the Jewish prayer shawl (tallit). The flag was adopted in 1948 when the State of Israel was created.

Explanation: The Indonesian "Sang-Saka Merah-Putih" (red and white) dates from the 14th century, inherited from the Majapahit Empire. It is nearly identical to Monaco's, only the proportions differ (2:3 vs 4:5).

Explanation: The green represents the Muslim majority and the white the religious minorities. The crescent symbolizes progress and the star the light of knowledge. The white stripe represents the protection of minorities.

Explanation: A unique fact: this flag is flipped during wartime (red moves to the top). The sun with 8 rays represents the 8 provinces that revolted against Spain in 1896.

Explanation: The shahada is written in white Arabic calligraphy on the green background. The sword below is also white. This religious inscription makes the flag sacred and it can never be flown at half-mast.