Flag of Kyrgyzstan

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The State Flag of the Kyrgyz RepublicTemplate:Efn consists of a red field charged with a yellow sun that contains a depiction of a tündük, the opening in the center of the roof of a yurt (traditional nomadic tent). Adopted in 1992, just over seven months after the country's independence was declared, to replace the flag of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, it has been the flag of Kyrgyzstan since that year. The red on the flag is said to be inspired by the pennant lifted by Manas, the country's folk hero.

History

Kyrgyz rebels wielded white banners (named "White Banner of National Liberation") during the Andijan uprising of 1898.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> Later, during the Central Asian revolt of 1916, they used it again during an uprising in Jizzakh<ref name=":0" /> and during an attack on Prebechakenska.<ref>Archived at Ghostarchive Template:Cbignore and the Wayback Machine Template:Cbignore: Template:Cite news Template:Cbignore</ref>

In Semirechye, under the leadership of Mokush Shabdanov,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> they used the white and red banner of Shabdan Dzhantayev.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Under Soviet rule, the Union Republic — coterminous with modern-day Kyrgyzstan — utilized a flag derived from the flag of the Soviet Union and representing Communism, that was adopted in 1953.<ref name=EB>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> It declared itself independent on 31 August 1991, approximately four months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.<ref name=CIA>Template:Cite web</ref> Nevertheless, the Soviet-era flag maintained its status as the national flag for seven months after independence was declared.<ref name=EB/> It was finally replaced by new design on 3 March 1992, one day after Kyrgyzstan was admitted to the United Nations along with seven other post-Soviet states.<ref name=EB/><ref name=DK>Template:Cite book</ref>

In late 2023, a debate was led in the Zhogorku Kengesh (parliament of Kyrgyzstan) to straighten the wavy sun rays due to its supposed similarity to a sunflower,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which in Kyrgyz culture can signify "a fickle and servile person willing to switch allegiance for personal benefit". The bill passed its first reading on 29 November, and second and third readings on 20 December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bill was signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov on 22 December.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> The law was officially published on 26 December and came into force on the same day.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Clear

Chronology

Flag	Date	Use	Description
Soviet Union (1926–1991)
Template:ListFlag	1929–1936	Flag used during the Kirghiz Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic	Possible red flag with the hammer and sickle and bilingual initials for Kirghiz ASSR in the canton, however it likely was never official.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:ListFlag Template:ListFlag	1936–1940	Flag used during the Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic	A red flag with bilingual version of "Kirgyz SSR" in the canton.
Template:ListFlag	1940–1952
Template:ListFlag	1952–1991		A red flag with a gold-bordered red star, hammer and sickle in the canton, and two navy blue bars and a white stripe in the middle.
Kyrgyz Republic (1991–present)
Template:ListFlag	1991–1992	The flag of the Kyrgyz SSR remained in use for a year.	A red flag with a gold-bordered red star, hammer and sickle in the canton, and two navy blue bars and a white stripe in the middle.
Template:ListFlag	1992–2023	National flag of the Kyrgyz Republic	A yellow sun with a traditional Kyrgyz yurt motif in its center on a red field.
Template:ListFlag	2023–present	National flag of the Kyrgyz Republic	The sun's rays were straightened to reduce its supposed resemblance to a sunflower and the number of holes in the lattice in the center of the flag was increased

Design

Symbolism

The colors and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The red field stands for "bravery and valor",<ref name=CIA/> and alludes to the purported emblem hoisted by Manas, the national hero of Kyrgyzstan.<ref name=EB/><ref name=Cavendish>Template:Cite book</ref> The sun epitomizes peace and prosperity,<ref name=CIA/> while its 40 rays stand for the number of tribes united by Manas to fight against the Mongols,<ref name=Cavendish/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> as well as the number of followers he had.<ref name=EB/><ref name=DK/>

The centre of the sun features a stylized illustration of the roof (tündük) atop a traditional Kyrgyz tent (yurt) when viewed from the interior.<ref name=EB/><ref name=DK/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Although these tents are less commonly used today,<ref name=EB/> its incorporation into the flag is meant to symbolize the "origin of life", the "unity of time and space", as well as the people's "hearth and home" and their history.<ref name=EB/><ref name=DK/>

2023 change

In late 2023, a debate was led in the Zhogorku Kengesh (parliament of Kyrgyzstan) to straighten the wavy sun rays due to its supposed similarity to a sunflower,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which in Kyrgyz culture can signify "a fickle and servile person willing to switch allegiance for personal benefit". The bill passed its first reading on 29 November, and second and third readings on 20 December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bill was signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov on 22 December.<ref name=":1" /> The law was officially published on 26 December and came into force on the same day.<ref name=":2" />

Other proposals for change

In 2011, a group of activists suggested rebranding the country as the "Land of Celestial Mountains", also offering an updated flag depicting white mountains and light blue sky.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The red field has been the source of much criticism. Some believe that it evokes the nation's tempestuous history, while others are of the opinion that it is a lingering remnant of communism in the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>