Flag of Nepal
countryThe flag of Nepal was adopted on December 16, 1962. Two stacked pennants with a moon and a sun. It uses 3 colours: crimson, blue and white. The official proportions are Non-rectangular.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Nepal |
|---|---|
| Country | Nepal |
| Official Country Name | Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal |
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Southern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | NP / NPL |
| Internet Domain | .np |
| Calling Code | +977 |
| Currency | Nepalese rupee (NPR) |
| National Language(s) | Nepali |
| Demonym | Nepalese |
| Area | 147,181 km² |
| Population | 30 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Nepal |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | December 16, 1962 |
| First Used | 1743 |
| Current Version Adopted | December 16, 1962 |
| Flag Proportion | Non-rectangular |
| Flag Shape | Non-rectangular |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Crimson, Blue, White |
| Design Type | Two stacked pennants with a moon and a sun |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Nepal |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson | #DC143C | 220, 20, 60 | 0, 91, 73, 14 | |
| Blue | #003893 | 0, 56, 147 | 100, 62, 0, 42 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Crimson colour | Represents the rhododendron, the national flower, and bravery |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents peace and harmony |
| White colour | Represents the sun and moon |
| Only non-rectangular national flag | The two pennants of the rival Rana and Shah houses, joined into one |
| Sun and moon | The hope that the nation will endure as long as they do; the moon also stands for the cool Himalayas and the sun for the heat of the lowlands |
| Geometry | The constitution defines the flag with a step-by-step geometric construction, unique among national flags |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1743 | The design was first used |
| 1962-12-16 | 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 | Non-rectangular |
|---|
Nepal 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 Nepal
| 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 | 64 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | December 16, 1962 |
| Oldest Version | 1743 |
| Flag Nickname | The Double Pennon |
| Most Common Color | Crimson |
| Unique Feature | Two stacked pennants with a moon and a sun |
Facts about the Flag of Nepal
- Nepal's is the only national flag that is not a quadrilateral, made of two stacked pennants inherited from two rival branches of the ruling house.
- Schedule 1 of the constitution defines the flag by a twenty-four step geometric construction using only a straight edge and compass, so it can be reproduced exactly at any size.
- The sun and moon once carried human faces, which were removed in 1962 when the flag was standardised.
- The blue border is part of the flag rather than decoration, and represents peace.
- The flag of Nepal was officially adopted on December 16, 1962.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1743, 219 years before it was formally made the flag of Nepal.
- The flag in its present form is 64 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Two stacked pennants with a moon and a sun.
- The flag is known as The Double Pennon, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Nepal".
- The official proportions are Non-rectangular. No other national flag in the world uses it.
- The flag uses 3 colours: crimson, blue and white.
- The crimson on the flag stands for the rhododendron, the national flower, and bravery.
- The blue on the flag stands for peace and harmony.
- The white on the flag stands for the sun and moon.
- Only non-rectangular national flag: The two pennants of the rival Rana and Shah houses, joined into one.
- Sun and moon: The hope that the nation will endure as long as they do; the moon also stands for the cool Himalayas and the sun for the heat of the lowlands.
- Geometry: The constitution defines the flag with a step-by-step geometric construction, unique among national flags.
- Nepal was never colonised. It was unified in 1768, and the monarchy was abolished when the country became a federal republic on 28 May 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Nepal
When was the flag of Nepal adopted?
The flag of Nepal was officially adopted on December 16, 1962, though the design had already been in use since 1743.
What do the colours of the flag of Nepal mean?
Crimson for the rhododendron, the national flower, and bravery, blue for peace and harmony and white for the sun and moon.
When did Nepal gain independence?
Nepal was never colonised. It was unified in 1768, and the monarchy was abolished when the country became a federal republic on 28 May 2008.
What is the national sport of Nepal?
Volleyball was declared the national sport in 2017; football and cricket are the most followed.
What do the symbols on the flag of Nepal represent?
Only non-rectangular national flag — The two pennants of the rival Rana and Shah houses, joined into one. Sun and moon — The hope that the nation will endure as long as they do; the moon also stands for the cool Himalayas and the sun for the heat of the lowlands. Geometry — The constitution defines the flag with a step-by-step geometric construction, unique among national flags.
What are the proportions of the flag of Nepal?
The official ratio is Non-rectangular, which makes the flag non-rectangular.
What is the national anthem of Nepal?
The national anthem is "Sayaun Thunga Phulka".
When is the national day of Nepal?
It falls on 29 May, Republic Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Nepal?
The national animal is the cow, with the Himalayan monal as national bird.
What is the capital of Nepal?
The capital is Kathmandu. The currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR) and the language spoken is Nepali.