The Origin and Significance of the Buddhist Flag
The Buddhist Flag, a global symbol of faith and peace, was first hoisted in Sri Lanka in 1885. Its creation is credited to the collaborative efforts of the ‘Colombo Committee,’ which included Henry Steele Olcott, a retired American Army Colonel who arrived in Sri Lanka in May 1880. Despite some controversy over its design attribution, it is clear that the flag was a joint effort by Olcott and several eminent members of the Sri Lankan laity and sangha.
In 1884, the Colombo Committee was instrumental in convincing the British rulers to declare Vesak Poya Day a public holiday, effective from May 1885. This milestone led to the development of the Buddhist Flag, intended to be hoisted on the first official Vesak Full Moon Day holiday on 28th May 1885. The committee finalized the flag design, which was publicly presented on 17th April 1885, and first hoisted by Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera at Deepaduththaramaya in Kotahena.
Olcott suggested modifying the flag to conform to the standard size of national flags, leading to a revised version hoisted on Vesak Full Moon Day in 1886. This modified design has remained unchanged and is now universally used by all Buddhist traditions and schools worldwide.
Professor G. P. Malalasekera played a pivotal role in the international acceptance of the Buddhist Flag. He proposed its adoption as the official Buddhist Flag at the World Federation of Buddhists meeting in Kandy on 25th May 1950. Consequently, the flag was officially recognized by the 1952 World Buddhist Congress.
The Buddhist Flag’s six original colors—Blue (nila), Yellow (pita), Red (lohita), White (odata), Scarlet (manjestha), and a mixture of these six (prabaswara)—symbolize the aura that emanated from the Buddha’s body upon his Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The original Scarlet color was later changed to Orange.
The Buddhist Flag continues to be a powerful symbol of Buddhist unity and spirituality, representing the profound legacy of the Buddha’s Enlightenment and the enduring principles of Buddhism.
