Japanese Flag

Japanese Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

The Flag of Japan - Description of the Japanese Flag
  • As the above picture of the Japanese Flag indicates the overall background is white
  • The description of the Japanese Flag is as follows:
    • White with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center
  • According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Japanese flag represent the following:
    • White - peace and honesty
    • Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
 

 
 
  • The basic style shown in the picture of the Japanese flag is described as Emblem - reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
  • All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
  • The shape and flag ratio of the Japanese flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
  • The Meaning & History of the Japanese Flag
    • The Japanese large red disc emblem represents the sun
    • It is referred to as the Hinomaru
    • Legend says that the flag originates in the 13th century when a Buddhist priest called Nichiren
      offered the sun disc flag to the Emperor of Japan in honour of the sun goddess Amaterasu who was believed to have been the Emperor's ancestor
    • Shoguns displayed the 'sun flag' on the Japanese ships during the 16th and 17th centuries
  • The name Japan, or Nippon, means "The origin of the sun" and is often translated as "The Land of the Rising Sun"
  • The Japanese national flag was adopted on August 13, 1999
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
  • The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
  • Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
  • The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
  • Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
  • Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
 
 
Japanese Flag Etiquette
  • Japanese Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
  • Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Japanese as follows:
  • Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
    • National Flag of Japanese
    • State Flag of Japanese
    • Military Flag of Japanese (in order of creation date)
    • Other Flag of Japanese
  • The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Japanese Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
  • The National flag of Japanese should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
  • The Japanese flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
  • A tattered or faded flag of Japanese should be removed and replaced with a new flag
  • A Flag of Japanese, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
 
Flag History & Evolution:
  • The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
  • Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
  • Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
  • An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
  • The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
  • These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
  • The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
  • The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a new flag
 
 
Terminology & Etiquette in Japanese Flag display
  • Hoist - the act or function of raising the Japanese flag, as on a rope
  • Half Staff or Half Mast - the Japanese flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
    • Performed by first raising the Japanese flag to the top, then lowering the Japanese Flag halfway
  • Manner of hoisting - The Japanese flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
  • No disrespect should be shown to the Japanese flag
  • The Japanese flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
  • The Japanese flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
  • The Japanese flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
  • International Flag relating to Japanese Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
  • We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Japanese Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
 

National Flags of the World Map

Japan

Location: Eastern Asia, island chain
between the North Pacific Ocean
and the Sea of Japan, east of
the Korean Peninsula

 
 

Japan

  • Japanese Land Size : 374,744 sq km
  • Japanese Climate / Weather : varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
  • Japanese Population : 127,333,002 (July 2004 est.)
  • Japanese Capital City: Tokyo
  • Japanese GDP: $3.567 trillion (2003 est.)
  • Japanese Main Industries : motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
  • Japanese Agricultural products : rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fish
  • Japanese Currency : yen (JPY)
  • Main Colors of the Japanese Flag : white with red emblem
  • Commonly mis-spelt as Japenese
 
Concise History of Japan & its Flag
  • 10,000BC Upper Paleolithic known as the Jomon Era
  • 300 BC The Yayoi period heralding new technologies and skills, many obtained from China
  • 645 Kotoku became the emperor of Japan
  • 794 The Heian era
  • 1100s The Taira and the Minamoto fought for control of Japan
  • 1180s The Minamoto clan obtained controlled of the country
  • 1192 Yoritomo was given the title Shogun and led the government which became known as a Shogunate
  • 1330 The Ashikaga clan seized power
  • 1549 Saint Francis Xavier, a Portuguese missionary, arrived in Japan. The Portuguese were the most successful Europeans in initiating major trade agreements with the Japanese
  • 1603 Tokugawa leyasu was given the title of Shogun by the emperor. This title was held by the dynasty for 265 years
 
 
  • 1630s The Japanese broke ties with all foreigners for the next two hundred years
  • 1854 Japan agreed to open two ports to the United States for trade
  • 1868 The Meiji Emperor announced the official return of the imperial power and was declared a divine ruler
  • 1895 Japan conquered Taiwan
  • 1910 Japan conquered Korea
  • 1914 - 1918 World War I - Japan declared war on Germany
  • 1931 Japanese conquered Manchuria
  • 1936 Japan signed a anti-communist pact with Germany and Italy
  • 1940 Japan entered World War II by occupying the northern part of French Indochina
  • 7 December 1941 Japanese attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
  • 18 July 1944 The government headed by Prime Minister Tojo collapsed
  • August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • 2 September 1945 Japan officially surrendered and World War II ended
 

Japanese Flag

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