The Secret History Behind Mongolia's Flag

Mongolia's flag carries a symbol centuries older than the country itself.

The Soyombo — the intricate golden emblem on the flag's hoist side — combines fire, sun, moon, and the balance of yin and yang into a single symbol. It wasn't designed for the flag at all. It was created in the 1600s by Zanabazar, a Buddhist monk, scholar, and artist who became the first spiritual head of Mongolian Buddhism, as a script and symbol system meant to carry centuries of meaning.

That ancient symbol has flown on Mongolia's flag ever since the country's revolution on July 11, 1921, the day Mongolia broke free and declared its independence — the date printed on every Mongolia design in our catalog.

A symbol of freedom that predates the nation it now represents by nearly three hundred years.

Shop the Mongolia collection → — or explore the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.