Flag of Kyrgyzstan
Asia
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Bishkek
- Flag adopted
- 1992
- Population
- 7,281,800
- Area
- 199,951 kmΒ²
- Languages
- Kyrgyz, Russian
- Currency
- Kyrgyzstani som (Ρ) β KGS
- Demonym
- Kirghiz
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- Subregion
- Central Asia
- Driving side
- Right
- Timezones
- UTC+06:00
- Independence
- 1991
Religions
- Muslim 90%
- Christian 7%
- Other 3%
About This Flag
The flag of Kyrgyzstan features a red field with a yellow sun at the center bearing 40 rays, inside which sits a tunduk β the circular framework of the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. The red background represents valor and bravery, derived from the banner of the legendary hero Manas, the protagonist of the Kyrgyz national epic.
The sun's 40 rays represent the 40 Kyrgyz tribes unified by Manas. The tunduk at the center symbolizes the family home, the universe, and the unity of time and space.
The flag was adopted on March 3, 1992, shortly after independence from the Soviet Union.
What the colors & design mean
Red represents bravery and valor, associated with the banner of the epic hero Manas. The yellow sun with 40 rays symbolizes the 40 tribes of the Kyrgyz people. The tunduk (yurt crown) at the center represents the hearth, home, and the unity of the Kyrgyz nation.
Pattern: Solid Field
Bordering countries (4)
Fun Facts
- The Epic of Manas, which inspired the flag's color and symbolism, is one of the longest epic poems in the world β roughly 20 times longer than Homer's Odyssey and Iliad combined.
- The tunduk depicted on the flag is the wooden frame at the top of a yurt (boz uy) through which smoke escapes β it is such a central cultural symbol that it also appears on Kyrgyzstan's national emblem.
- Kyrgyzstan is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with over 90% of its territory above 1,500 meters in elevation.
- The flag is one of very few national flags to depict a specific interior architectural element β the tunduk represents not just a building but an entire nomadic way of life.
Similar looking flags
These flags share similar colors and patterns:
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