Flag of Hong Kong

A solid red rectangular field serves as the backdrop for a stylized, five-petaled white flower centered on the flag. Within each of the five petals, a small, five-pointed red star is positioned, with each star's tip oriented toward the center of the floral emblem. This botanical element, representing a Bauhinia blakeana, is depicted with rotational symmetry.

Use of the red field directly references the People's Republic of China, establishing a visual link to the motherland. By featuring the Bauhinia blakeana, an orchid native to the area, the design incorporates a distinct local symbol to represent the city's identity. Five stars located on the petals are directly derived from the Chinese national flag, signifying that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China. This combination of colors and symbols illustrates the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework that defines the territory's political structure.

The National People's Congress officially approved this design on April 4, 1990, following a multi-year selection process involving thousands of public submissions. Prior to the 1997 handover, the territory utilized a British Blue Ensign featuring the local coat of arms within a white circular disk. This current version was first raised at the midnight ceremony on July 1, 1997, coinciding with the end of British colonial rule. Architect Tao Ho finalized the design, incorporating elements that were intended to represent the transition of sovereignty.