Laos .la

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao: ທຸງດວງເດືອນ, RTGS: thung duang duan, meaning 'Moon flag') consists of 3 horizontal stripes, with the middle stripe in blue being twice the height of the top and bottom red stripes. In the middle is a white disc, the diameter of the disc is 4⁄5 the height of the blue stripe. It is also said to represent a full moon over the Mekong River. Its communist-led successor, the Pathet Lao, chose Viravong's flag to represent their movement until the fall of the royal government in 1975, when the Pathet Lao took power and adopted it as the national flag. This flag was adopted by the royal monarchy of Luang Prabang since the beginning of the 20th century under French rule, inspired by its similar flag (red flag with the single white elephant) in Thailand during that time.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Blue, White

Flag History

1. 1917
   Viravong drew inspiration from Thailand's 1917 adoption of a red-white-blue tricolour, replacing the traditional royal flag (a red flag with a white elephant).
2. 1952–1975
   

   The Lao Issara, as a political movement, continued to use the flag in exile until its dissolution in 1949.
3. 1975–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1975.

Location