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The red and white bi-colour of Indonesia, called Sang Dwiwarna (exalted bi-colour), is based on a banner believed to have flown in the late 13th century by the Majapahit Empire.
In 1922 it was adopted by Indonesian activists desiring Indonesian independence from Dutch colonial rule and was later flown, in 1928, by nationalists on the island of Java to represent the Indonesian campaign for independence.
Independence was proclaimed and the red over white bi-colour rose as the national
flag, on the 17th of August 1945, as Japanese occupying forces surrendered at the end of the Second World War.
However, the previous Dutch colonial rulers refused to recognise Indonesian independence until the 27th of December 1949.
The current flag dates from the 17th of August 1945. |
