Flag of Macau

Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Name Lotus Flag
Use Civil and state flag, civil and state ensign
Proportion 2:3
Adopted Approved on 31 March 1993 by National People's Congress, used on 20 December 1999
Design Light green with a lotus flower above the stylised Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars
Regional flag of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區區旗
Simplified Chinese 中华人民共和国澳门特别行政区区旗
Portuguese name
Portuguese Bandeira regional da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau da República Popular da China

The Regional flag of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Chinese: 中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區區旗; Portuguese: Bandeira regional da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau da República Popular da China), is light green with a lotus flower above the stylised Governador Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the centre of the arc and four smaller ones.

The lotus was chosen as the floral emblem of Macau. The Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge is a bridge linking the Macau Peninsula and the island of Taipa. The bridge is one of the most recognisable landmarks for the territory. The water beneath the lotus and the bridge symbolise Macau's position as a port and its role played in the territory. The five five-pointed stars echo the design of the flag of the People's Republic of China, symbolising the relationship Macau has with its sovereign state.

According to the Basic Law of Macau, the Macau Regional Flag is a green flag with five stars, lotus flower, bridge and sea water. This law also adopted "Apart from displaying the Flag of the People's Republic of China, the Macao Special Administrative Region may also use a regional flag".[1]

1993 proposals

The chosen flag of Macau

In 1993, several proposed designs were put forward.[2]

Portuguese rule

Prior to the handover of Macau to the People's Republic of China by the Portuguese Republic in 1999, Macau officially used only the Portuguese flag, in contrast to Hong Kong, which, under British rule, used a defaced Blue Ensign as its flag, alongside the Union Jack. In 1967, there were proposals to give each overseas province its own flag, consisting of the Portuguese flag with the local coat of arms, but none was ever adopted.[3]

There was a flag for the Government of Macau, with the colony's coat of arms on a light blue field.[4]

There was a flag for the municipality or Leal Senado of Macau, with a Portuguese-style coat of arms and two angels as heraldic supporters, which was used at the 1999 handover ceremony.

Macau historical flags

FlagDurationUseDescription
1557–1578 Flag of Portugal from 1495 until 1578, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1578–1640 Flag of Portugal from 1495 until 1578, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1640–1667 Flag of Portugal from 1640 until 1667, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1667–1707 Flag of Portugal from 1667 until 1707, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1707–1816 Flag of Portugal from 1707 until 1816, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1816–1830 Flag of Portugal from 1816 until 1830, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1830–1910 Flag of Portugal from 1830 until 1910, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1910–1999 Flag of Portugal since 1910, used in colonial-era Macau. The Portuguese flag was used in colonial-era Macau, as there was no territorial flag.
1975–1999 Flag of the Municipality of Macau, one of two local municipal governments. A light blue field charged with the coat of arms of the Municipality of Macau. This was the flag used at sporting events and at the 1999 handover to China.
1975–1999 Flag of Portuguese colonial Government of Macau. A light blue field charged with the official coat of arms of the Portuguese colony of Macau. During the Portuguese administration this flag also represented the territory of Macau in the international forums, although it was not the official flag of the Portuguese colony.
Unofficial Variant flag of Portuguese colonial Government of Macau. Unofficial variant without a mural crown representing the Kingdom of the Algarve castles in the coat of arms and replacing "Government of Macau" with simply "Macau". This flag was found at the University of Macau in a photo of International University sports meeting and it was used in the parade. Although this flag was never used officially, some sports media used it instead of the Portuguese flag to represent the colony.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People' s Republic of China(by Printing Bureau)
  2. ↑ 1993 Proposals for the Macau Flag
  3. ↑ Macao – 1967 Colonial Flag Proposal
  4. ↑ Casa de Macau Vancouver – Handover Archives
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