The People's Republic of China

The "Five Star Red Flag"

The current design for the flag of China was created from a design by Zeng Liansong. It was after a request from the new Communist government in China after they had taken power in China back in 1949. On October 1, 1949, with a formal ceremony declaring the foundation of the new Communist China, the new flag was raised for the first time.

The design for the flag came after many nights in an attic. Finally, Zeng opted for a plain red field, with 5 gold stars. 1 large, and 4 small. The large star represents the Chinese Communist party, and the 4 smaller stars represent the 4 classes of people in China. The workers, the peasantry, the urban bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie.

There was much debate amongst the government as to which design to pick, and they did keep coming back to Zengs design. Finally, they decided to choose his design, with some slight modifications. 1 modification was to take the hammer and sickle off the main gold star.

The 4 small stars are arrange in a circular pattern round the main gold star, to symbolise equality of the classes, and the reliance of good governance by the state. Red is the colour of revolution, and the gold was picked because it shows that the new China will "radiate with glory."