The Secret History Behind Singapore's Flag
Singapore's flag was almost different: it was going to have three stars, not five.
The flag was designed by a committee led by Toh Chin Chye, who later became Deputy Prime Minister. The first idea had three stars, but leaders worried it could be associated with the flag of the Malayan Communist Party, which also had three. Toh's initial idea was an all-red background, but the Legislative Assembly decided on red and white.
The flag was officially adopted on December 3, 1959. The red stands for the universal brotherhood and equality of people and the white for purity and virtue. The crescent represents a young nation on the rise, and the five stars the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
The date printed on every Singapore design in our catalog, August 9, 1965, is National Day, the day Singapore became independent.
Three stars became five, and the whole design is a lesson in how a small country picks its symbols.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.