Introduction
The flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is a red field with a stylized, white, five-petal Bauhinia blakeana flower at its center. Each petal features a red, five-pointed star, and the design is rendered in a circular, dynamic pattern that suggests rotation and vitality. The flag's design is distinctly modern and symbolic, created specifically to represent Hong Kong's post-colonial status.
Adopted on July 1, 1997, the flag replaced the colonial British Blue Ensign that had been in use for over a century. Its official proportions are 2:3, and the specific shade of red is defined to match that of the national flag of the People's Republic of China. The flag is flown throughout the territory and is a ubiquitous symbol in official and public life.
Meaning & Symbolism
The red field represents the motherland, the People's Republic of China, and symbolizes the historical and cultural connection between Hong Kong and mainland China. The color also traditionally signifies celebration, prosperity, and national rejuvenation in Chinese culture. The central Bauhinia blakeana flower is a hybrid orchid tree native to Hong Kong, chosen as a distinctive local emblem.
The flower's five petals, each adorned with a red star'one country, two systems'. The dynamic, swirling design of the petals is often interpreted to represent Hong Kong's continued vitality and progress under Chinese sovereignty.
History of the Hong Kong Flag
The current flag was adopted on July 1, 1997, the date of the handover of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. Its design was the result of a public competition and selection process, finalized by a committee appointed by the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The chosen design was formally approved by the National People's Congress of China.
The flag replaced the colonial British Blue Ensign, which featured the Hong Kong coat of arms. The adoption of the new flag was a central visual element of the transition, marking the end of British colonial rule and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Curiosities
- The Bauhinia blakeana flower depicted on the flag is sterile and does not produce seeds; all existing trees are clones from cuttings of the original discovered in Hong Kong in 1880.
- The flag's design is protected by law; its precise specifications, including the exact Pantone shade of red (Pantone 186C), are detailed in regional legislation.
- A 3D model of the flag was placed on the surface of Mars by China's Zhurong rover in 2021, as part of the Tianwen-1 mission.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Hong Kong in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's official proportions are 2:3 (width to length). The diameter of the circular area containing the bauhinia design is three-fifths (3/5) of the flag's height. The flower is drawn within a specific geometric framework to ensure consistency, with each of the five petals containing a red five-pointed star and a red stylized stamen. The exact layout is defined by precise points and arcs in the official specification.
Flags Similar to Hong Kong Flag
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique floral design, though the red field can be associated with other national flags from Asia.