Flag of Indonesia

The national flag of Indonesia features a simple bicolor design composed of two equal horizontal bands. A red stripe occupies the top half of the rectangular field, while a white stripe occupies the bottom half. This design contains no additional emblems or symbols and adheres to a standard aspect ratio of 2:3.

The red stripe represents physical energy, courage, and human blood, while the white stripe signifies the soul, purity, and spiritual life. Combined, these colors symbolize the duality of the human experience, balancing the material world with the spiritual realm. Traditional interpretations also associate the colors with the indigenous agricultural staples of red sugar and white rice.

Following the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945, the current design was officially adopted as the national emblem. Its origins are frequently linked to the 13th-century Majapahit Empire, which utilized red and white banners for its naval forces. Nationalists revived these colors during the early 20th-century resistance against Dutch colonial rule to signify a distinct Indonesian identity. Despite its long historical usage, the flag's physical appearance has remained consistent since the mid-20th century.