MM

The flag of the Union of Myanmar is a horizontal yello-green-red triband which loox like Lituania. Yet this flag is the State of Burma from 1943 (see also Shan State). Yello stands for solidarity, green for peace, red for courage. To make the diference with Lituania, the white star of the Freedom League (symbol of the resistance against Japan durin WW2) has been displayed in the center of the flag. So the Myanmar flag is merging both independentist flags used durin WW2 (the pro-Japan State of Burma & the anti-Japan Freedom League) as a symbol of national reconciliation. I may say I prefer this flag because both 1948 & 1974 looked TOO MUCH like Taiwan but.... by far LESS beautiful than Taiwan !!!! The present pattern was adopted on 21 OCTOBER 2010.

1429-1785 (Kingdom of Mrauk U founded / also known as Arakan Kingdom - see part MRAUK U KINGDOM below)

1313-1365 (Pinya / Sagaing Kingdom) (Sagaing formally seceded from Pinya in 1325 after Thihathu's death but it doesnt matter.)

1287-1824 (Kingdom of Hanthawaddy founded - see part HANTHAWADDY KINGDOM or KINGDOM OF PEGU below)

846-1297 (Pagan Kingdom also called Pagan Empire - suxeeded by Myinsaing Kingdom)

colonial 1886 (Upper Burma annexed to British Burma) (British Indian Empire - UK)

1885 (abdication of King Thibaw Min / Konbaung dynasty, last King of Burma / Upper Burma, after defeat in Third Anglo-Burmese War)

1365 (Ava Kingdom) (This flag is probably a modern creation. Possible explanation : name of Ava/Inwa is Ratanapura means “City of Gems”. Maybe the 8 rounds are gems.)

HANTHAWADDY KINGDOM or KINGDOM OF PEGU, Pegu being the capital city of this kingdom (1287-1824) :

1287 (Kingdom of Hanthawaddy founded) (This drawing is probably a modern creation, around 2007, adorned with a hintha / hintar / hamsa. - Too bad : I LOVE this flag !!!!)

MRAUK U KINGDOM (Arakan was the common English name for the Mrauk-U Kingdom) (1429-1785) :

colonial 1886 (Lower & Upper Burma united as Burma province within British India) (British Indian Empire - UK)

colonial 1862 (Mrauk U + Tenasserim + Pegu united as a separate British Lower Burma province within British India)

colonial 1826 (UK annex Mrauk-U + Tenasserim + the coastline as divisions of Bengal within British India)

1429 (identified as the founding date for the Mrauk-U Kingdom, also called Arakan)

The Shan States were a multitude of small princely states in North-East Burma - World Statesmen (Ben CAHOON) lists over 50 entities. The first major Shan State was founded in 1215 at Mong Kawng. Ben CAHOON identifies Möngkawng (Mogaung) as the oldest Shan State, with a legendary foundation in 58 BC and does not mention 1215. Möngmit (Momeik) was said to have been founded in 1231, and Möngmit (Momeik) before 1200. Mong Nai dates from 1223.
The 1563 or 1557 dates appear to relate to the Confederation of Shan States that was a group of Shan States (led by Mongyang / Mohnyin State) that conquered Ava Kingdom in 1527 and ruled upper Burma until 1555, when the Taungoo Kingdom captured Ava. Taungoo forces conquered the remaining Shan States by 1557. 1563 is listed in the summary table as 1215 to 1563, but the main body of text suggest 1557 is correct. 1557 might relate to the conquest of states that became part of China or Thailand, including Lan Na in 1558. I don’t think any information on historical flags of Shan States exists. There is a flag that is attributed to it by modern Shan activists and Deviant Artists. It is a green flag with a white tiger.

The Taungoo Dynasty was the Second Burmese Empire, from 1544 to 1752. There is no record of Burma until an 1825 map depicting a colored peacock on a white background, which would correspond to the Konbaung Dynasty (Third Burmese Empire). Regarding the Konbaung Dynasty flag (red peacock on a white background), it appears to be a modern reconstruction based on a written description. This flag was flown by a Burmese minister during a visit to Britain in 1871, long after other designs had been depicted on flag maps. The "dancing peacock" image is said to be based on the design on the 1852 1 kyat silver coin of King Mindon Min. Not before then.... thou an earlier version dates from a 1837 flag chart by Laurie showing a peacock facing sideways with a green and yellow plume and a blue and purple body. Notice also there has NEVER BEEN any red disc behind the peacock.

I wonder if this error comes from this ALL RED dezign from 1860 (very dubious flag)

1870 (Another flag book was published in 1870 and titled “Vlaggen van allen Natien” / the name is a Hollander title)

1860 (Another flag book was published in 1860 - It has the same style of peacock as the 1858 M. A. LE GRAS's image but on a yellow field.)

1858 (First edition of M. A. LE GRAS's album depictin this VERY dezign - This flag dates from 1853, Mindon Min's coronation - widely uzed in the 19° century flag charts)

WA self administered division (SAD within Shan State) - This flag is very putative as it's, actualy, the Wa National Army.

complete administrative map + MARKO's project with a new BIG Region BAGO, to simplify the adm. cutting & to provide an axess to the sea

MARKO's project of a flag for the new BAGO Region. I wanted to highlight the national colors . In this case, I find yello ON yello doesnt make so much trouble !!!!

MARKO's SECOND project of ANOTHER NEW REGION mergin MAGWAY + MANDALAY + the southern half of SAGAING (10 MAY 2025).
MARKO's project of ANOTHER NEW OFICIAL NAME for Myanmar : UNITED STATES OF MYANMAR (10 MAY 2025).

people KACHIN ethnic & Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) people KACHIN Kachin Independence Army (KIA) people KACHIN Kachin National Organization (KNO)

people KAREN (Karen National Liberation Army) people KAREN (Karen National Union) people KARENNI

people LAHU (Lahu Democratic Union) ???? people LAHU (Lahu Democratic Union) ???? people LAHU (Lahu Democratic Union) ????

people MON (New Mon State Party) people WA (Wa National Army) people PALAUNG (PALAUNG STATE LIBERATION FRONT)

people ROHINGYA Islamic Republic of Rahmanland flag adopted in 2012 (proposed state for the Rohingya people)

people ROHINGYA (emblem = old coin of Myanmar minted by Shams al-din Muhammad Ghazi, sultan of Bengal, dated 1555)

MOVEMENT 969 - Theze 3 numbers represent the 24 attributes of the 3 jewels of Buddism : the 9 attributes of the Buddha, the 6 of the Dharma and the 9 of the Sangha. Now they are a slogan which mean "Buy 969" to say "Buy Buddist".

MOVEMENT 969 is conducted by the buddist monk Ashin WIRATHU.

There is a similar shaped hintha woodcarving at the base of the entrance of Wat Pan Tao in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is believed to have been carved during a period of Burmese occupation 1557 - 1774 (image below) :

entrance of Wat Pan Tao in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is believed to have been carved during a period of Burmese occupation

hintha / hintar / hamsa, at Layuna Sekka Buddha (built 1996 - 2008) - When I look at that, I see a duck......... Is it to be a duck ???? Anyhow, I LIKE A LOT THIS DEZIGN !!!!