The Secret History Behind Indonesia's Flag
Indonesia's flag was sewn by hand, without a sewing machine, just before the country declared independence.
Fatmawati, wife of Sukarno, sewed the first flag in early August 1945. It was raised for the first time on August 17, 1945, when Sukarno proclaimed Indonesia's independence. It is known as the Bendera Pusaka, the sacred heirloom flag, and its name, Sang Saka Merah Putih, was written into the constitution in 1945.
The design is rooted in the red and white colors of the 13th-century Majapahit Empire, whose naval fleet flew nine red and white stripes.
Red is read as courage and the blood shed in the struggle for independence, and white as the purity of the people.
The date printed on every Indonesia design in our catalog, August 17, 1945, is the day that flag first flew.
Two colors, seven centuries, and a flag that was sewn at home.
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.