Flags of Asia - The Obscure Ones

Explication : The Druk (thunder dragon) holds jewels in its claws. Orange symbolizes the Buddhist tradition, yellow the monarchy.

Explication : Two stacked triangular pennants, symbols of the sun and moon. This unique shape dates back to the 19th century.

Explication : Yellow represents the sultan, the black and white stripes the two viziers. The coat of arms includes a royal parasol and a crescent.

Explication : The white circle symbolizes the moon over the Mekong and the unity of the people. Adopted in 1975 with the advent of the Republic.

Explication : Angkor Wat features at the center, the only example of a building on a national flag. Blue represents royalty.

Explication : The current flag (2010) replaced the old one with a white star on a red background. Yellow = solidarity, green = peace, red = courage.

Explication : The Soyombo symbol (sun, moon, flame, earth) is an ancient Mongolian symbol of freedom. Blue represents the eternal sky.

Explication : The Druk is a thunder dragon from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. Bhutan calls itself "Druk Yul" (Land of the Thunder Dragon).

Explication : The sun with 40 rays represents the 40 Kyrgyz tribes unified by the hero Manas. The central symbol is a tunduk (yurt roof).

Explication : The vertical stripe with 5 traditional carpet patterns (guls) is unique. Each pattern represents a Turkmen tribe.

Explication : Red background bordered in green with a white crescent. Red symbolizes the blood of heroes, green Islam and palm trees.

Explication : The golden lion holding a sword represents bravery. The green and orange stripes symbolize the Muslim and Tamil minorities.

Explication : Horizontal red-white-green with a crown topped by 7 stars symbolizing the 7 historic regions and the number 7, sacred in Tajik culture.

Explication : The youngest country in Asia (independence 2002). The red triangle symbolizes the struggle, black the centuries of obscurantism, yellow the traces of colonialism.

Explication : Turkmenistan has 5 guls (carpet patterns) representing the 5 main tribes, plus olive branches added in 1997.