Flag of Maldives
countryThe flag of Maldives was adopted on July 25, 1965. Red field with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It uses 3 colours: red, green and white. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Maldives |
|---|---|
| Country | Maldives |
| Official Country Name | Republic of the Maldives |
| Capital | Malé |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Southern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | MV / MDV |
| Internet Domain | .mv |
| Calling Code | +960 |
| Currency | Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) |
| National Language(s) | Maldivian |
| Demonym | Maldivan |
| Area | 300 km² |
| Population | 0.53 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Maldives |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 25, 1965 |
| First Used | 1949 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 25, 1965 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, Green, White |
| Design Type | Red field with a green rectangle and a white crescent |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Maldives |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #D21034 | 210, 16, 52 | 0, 92, 75, 18 | |
| Green | #007E3A | 0, 126, 58 | 100, 0, 54, 51 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the blood of the nation’s heroes |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents peace, prosperity and the coconut palms |
| White colour | Represents the crescent |
| Crescent | Islam — it opens toward the fly, unusually for a flag with a crescent |
| Green panel | The palm trees, the mainstay of island life |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1949 | The design was first used |
| 1965-07-25 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Maldives Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Maldives
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 61 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 25, 1965 |
| Oldest Version | 1949 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Arkansas, Aruba, Bangladesh |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a green rectangle and a white crescent |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Maldives
- The white crescent on the green rectangle points toward the fly rather than the hoist, which is the reverse of most crescent flags.
- The flag has no star, unlike most crescent flags in the Islamic world, and the crescent alone stands for the country's faith.
- The flag of Maldives was officially adopted on July 25, 1965.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1949, 16 years before it was formally made the flag of Maldives.
- The flag in its present form is 61 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a green rectangle and a white crescent.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, green and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood of the nation’s heroes.
- The green on the flag stands for peace, prosperity and the coconut palms.
- The white on the flag stands for the crescent.
- Crescent: Islam — it opens toward the fly, unusually for a flag with a crescent.
- Green panel: The palm trees, the mainstay of island life.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Arkansas, Aruba and Bangladesh.
- Maldives became independent on 26 July 1965 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport, with bashi a traditional women's game.
- The national animal is the yellowfin tuna, with the coconut palm as national tree.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Maldives
When was the flag of Maldives adopted?
The flag of Maldives was officially adopted on July 25, 1965, though the design had already been in use since 1949.
What do the colours of the flag of Maldives mean?
Red for the blood of the nation’s heroes, green for peace, prosperity and the coconut palms and white for the crescent.
When did Maldives gain independence?
Maldives became independent on 26 July 1965 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Maldives?
Football is the most popular sport, with bashi a traditional women's game.
What do the symbols on the flag of Maldives represent?
Crescent — Islam — it opens toward the fly, unusually for a flag with a crescent. Green panel — The palm trees, the mainstay of island life.
What are the proportions of the flag of Maldives?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Maldives?
The national anthem is "Qaumee Salaam".
When is the national day of Maldives?
It falls on 26 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Maldives?
The national animal is the yellowfin tuna, with the coconut palm as national tree.
What is the capital of Maldives?
The capital is Malé. The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) and the language spoken is Maldivian.