Lesson 1/45 min
National flag, emblem and monogram
Flag: sequence of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 June 1970 | Shib Narayan Das (of Cumilla) designs the first flag with a map; the map was yellow |
| 2 March 1971 | First hoisting under the banyan tree at the Arts Building, Dhaka University, by DUCSU VP A.S.M. Abdur Rob. This is National Flag Day |
| 3 March 1971 | Hoisted with the national song at Paltan Maidan (by Shahjahan Siraj), in the presence of Bangabandhu |
| 23 March 1971 | On Pakistan Day the flag is flown across the country, including at Bangabandhu's house |
| 18 April 1971 | First hoisting at a foreign mission: the Bangladesh Mission in Kolkata, by M. Hossain Ali |
| 17 January 1972 | The present flag is officially adopted; designer Quamrul Hassan (Potua) |
Flag specifications
- Dark green ground (4 parts) with a red disc in the middle (1 part)
- Length : width = 10 : 6 (5 : 3)
- Radius of the red disc = one fifth of the length (Zubair: 5 : 3 : 1)
- Table flag for international and bilateral events: 10 inch × 6 inch
- Flag rules framed: 1972
- Khandokar adds: the ordinance dropping the map is dated 4 January 1972; Bangladesh's flag resembles those of Japan and Palau
- The first map of Bengal was drawn by Major James Rennell
Watch out: Do not mix up: the present flag is by Quamrul Hassan; the first flag with a map is by Shib Narayan Das. Flag Day is 2 March, but adoption was on 17 January 1972.
National emblem
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Description | Shapla floating on water, ringed by rice sheaves on both sides; three joined jute leaves on top; two stars on each side |
| Stars | 4 stars = the 4 fundamental principles of the 1972 constitution, the nation's aims and aspirations |
| Rice, jute, water | The farm-based economy and nature |
| 5 waves | Agriculture, natural beauty and the river-land Bangladesh |
| Blooming shapla | Beauty, nobility and taste |
| Designer | Quamrul Hassan |
| Constitution article | 4(3) |
| Who may use it | The President and the Prime Minister |
| Cabinet approval (Khandokar) | 28 February 1972 |
National monogram
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Description | A yellow map of Bangladesh in a red circle; ‘Gonoprojatontri Bangladesh’ above, ‘Sarkar’ below; 2 stars on each side, 4 in all |
| Designer | A.N. Saha (both books) |
| Used on | Government offices, files, memos, letters and notices |
Watch out: Emblem: Quamrul Hassan. Monogram: A.N. Saha (both Khandokar and Zubair). One online source also credits Hassan with the monogram, but the two books agree, so write A.N. Saha in exams.
Check yourself
What do the four stars of the emblem stand for?
At a glance
- 1
Flag officially adopted 17 January 1972; designer Quamrul Hassan; ratio 10 : 6.
- 2
First hoisted 2 March 1971 under the DU banyan tree by A.S.M. Abdur Rob; Flag Day is 2 March.
- 3
First flag abroad: Kolkata mission, 18 April 1971, M. Hossain Ali.
- 4
Emblem has 4 stars (4 principles), constitution article 4(3); used by the President and the Prime Minister.
- 5
Monogram designer A.N. Saha; the first flag with a map was by Shib Narayan Das (6 June 1970).