A flag is more than just fabric fluttering in the wind—it is a story woven in colour, a legacy stitched in history. Across centuries and continents, flags have symbolised power, unity, and defiance, evolving from ancient battle standards to national emblems. For Bangladesh, its flag is a powerful reminder of sacrifice and resilience, first hoisted in defiance and later embraced as a beacon of independence on 2 March, 1971. Even today, it remains more than a symbol—carried proudly in moments of both triumph and protest.
The origin of flags dates back to the oldest civilisations, from ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia. Flags have been present to symbolise human civilisation since it might have first begun. The study of the history of such flags is known as vexillology. Vexillologists believe that the cloth flag we see today most likely originated in the Zhou dynasty in the 11th century BC in China. The flags of that time symbolised different animals as identifiers for various clans. The oldest modern national flag is the Danish flag, which features a white cross on a red backdrop and has remained in its current form since the 13th century.
By celebrating these differences, one can learn much simply by observing the flags of different nations. For instance, the flags of Australia and New Zealand may appear almost identical, both displaying the Union Jack in the top-left corner and stars on the right-hand side. To the casual observer, the flags may seem similar, but upon closer inspection, one will notice that the stars are red for New Zealand and white for Australia. The Union Jack reflects the dominion status both countries once held as former British colonies. Flags across Africa often feature vibrant colours with high contrast, such as those of South Africa and Zimbabwe, where the use of different colours represents the diverse multitude of tribes.
For Bangladesh, March 2nd holds particular significance as it marks the day the flag of independent Bangladesh was first flown at Dhaka University. The original version of the flag was designed by a group of student leaders and activists from the Swadheen Bangla Nucleus (a secret organisation working towards Bangladesh’s independence) on June 6, 1970, in room 108 of Iqbal Hall (now Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall) at Dhaka University. The general elections of 1970 resulted in a clear majority for Bengali rule, yet the West Pakistani government was reluctant to form the National Assembly and transfer power. In protest against the oppressive West Pakistani leaders, the flag of an independent Bangladesh was flown, featuring a green background symbolising the nation’s fertile agrarian society, with a red centre representing the sacrifices made to establish a separate nation, and a golden map in the red symbolising Bangladesh’s vision for the future as a prosperous nation. Hoisting the flag was an act of rebellion against the Pakistani regime and carried significant personal risk for the student leaders at the time. The honour of establishing the flag goes to A. S. M. Abdur Rab.
The red and green adaptation again came to the fore during the student uprisings of 2024. Students, who sacrificed their lives, were often seen wearing the Bangladeshi flag as a cloak of pride, symbolising the essence of fighting for what is right and standing against oppression. Time and time again, whether on the streets symbolising resistance to injustice or on the international stage representing Bangladesh, the flag energises and mobilises the true spirit of nationalism. It represents the blood of millions who have given their lives to uphold the honour of this nation, with due respect and reverence.