Flag of Laos

What does the flag of Laos mean?

The red stripes represent the blood shed in the fight for independence, and the blue stripe represents the Mekong River, a symbol of the nation's prosperity. The white disc symbolizes the unity of the Lao people under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the country's bright future.

Colours and what they stand for

• red

  The blood shed by the people in their struggle for freedom

• blue

  The Mekong River and the country's prosperity

• white

  The full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the people under the communist government

History

The flag was first adopted in 1945 by the short-lived Lao Issara government, then readopted in 1975 when the Lao People's Democratic Republic was established.

Flags often confused with Laos

• Cambodia

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