nepal postcard

Flag of Nepal. The national flag of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालको झण्डा) is the world's only non-quadrilateral national flag. The flag is a simplified combination of two single pennons, the vexillological word for a pennant. Until 1962, the flag's emblems, the sun and the crescent moon, had human faces. They were removed to modernise the flag. The blue border symbolises the peace and harmony that has been prevalent in the country since the age of Gautama Buddha, who was born in Nepal. The crimson red is Nepal's national colour, and it indicates the brave spirits of the Nepalese people. The two triangles symbolise the Himalaya Mountains and could also represent the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The depiction of celestial bodies represents permanence, the hope that Nepal will last as long as the sun and the moon. The moon symbolises that the Nepalese are soothing and calm, while the sun symbolises fierce resolve. The moon also symbolises the shades and the cool weather of the Himalayas, whereas the sun symbolises the heat and the high temperature at the lower part (Tarai) of Nepal. Another interpretation: The flag's shape symbolises a Nepalese pagoda. Putting a mirror at the side of the flag closest to the flagpole will generate an image of a pagoda.