Taiwan's Flag: A Symbol of Identity and Controversy
A Brief History
The current flag of Taiwan, commonly known as the flag of the Republic of China, has a fascinating history that dates back to the 17th century. The first national flag was adopted in 1663 by the Kingdom of Tungning, which ruled Taiwan at the time. This flag was a plain white field with the character é„ (zhèng) in black in the center.
In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan as a result of the First Sino-Japanese War. During this time, Taiwan's flag was replaced with the Japanese flag. After the end of World War II, Taiwan was returned to China, and the Kuomintang (KMT) government adopted the current flag as the official flag of the Republic of China.
The Olympic Flag Controversy
Since 1984, athletes from Taiwan have competed in the Olympic Games under the name "Chinese Taipei" and with a specially designed flag. This flag is a white field with the Olympic rings in the center and the words "Chinese Taipei" written below in blue. The use of this flag has been a source of controversy, as Taiwan seeks to maintain its own distinct identity while adhering to IOC regulations.
The Meaning of the Flag
The current flag of Taiwan is a red field with a blue canton bearing a white disk surrounded by 12 white rays. The red field represents the blood shed by the martyrs who fought for Taiwan's freedom. The blue canton represents the sky and the ocean surrounding the island. The white disk represents the sun, while the 12 rays represent the 12 months of the year.
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