National Flag of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (1975)

The flag of Laos is based on the flag of the Lao Patriotic Front, commonly referred to outside Laos as the Pathet Lao, a communist nationalist movement that fought for Laotian independence. 

The Pathet Lao flag has its origins in the mid-20th century. 

The Pathet Lao is actually the name for the military arm of the Lao Patriotic Front and literally means ‘Land of the Lao’.

In 1975 the Pathet Lao gained full control of the Laotian government, they abolished the monarchy, set up a communist administration, changed the country’s name to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and officially adopted the current national flag.

The current design dates from the 4th of December 1975.

The Symbolic Meaning

Red symbolises the blood shed for Laotian independence. Blue represents the country’s wealth and prosperity while white symbolises unity and justice.

An alternative interpretation has the red representing the blood shed for Laotian independence and the central white disc symbolising the full moon over the blue Mekong River, which runs through and alongside the majority of Laos.