Which country has a non-rectangular flag?
Quick answer
Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular national flag. It’s made of two stacked crimson triangles (pennants) with a blue border, showing a white Moon in the top section and a white Sun in the bottom. The two peaks are often said to represent the Himalayas, or the country’s two main religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Key facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Shape
- Two stacked triangular pennants
- Colors
- Crimson red with a blue border
- Adopted
- December 16, 1962 (current official design)
What the symbols mean
| Element | Common meaning |
|---|---|
| Crimson red | Nepal’s national color, from the rhododendron, the national flower; also bravery |
| Blue border | Peace |
| Moon | The calm, cool character of Nepali people; hope that the nation lasts as long as the Moon |
| Sun | Fierce resolve; that the nation lasts as long as the Sun |
| Two triangles | The Himalayas, or Hinduism and Buddhism |
The flag’s shape comes from pennants that Nepal’s ruling families flew for centuries, sometimes two joined together.
Drawing it is a math puzzle
Nepal’s constitution includes exact geometric instructions for drawing the flag, with more than 20 steps. Math students sometimes use it as a construction exercise.
Square flags
Two sovereign states have square flags, which are rectangles but unusual ones:
| Country | Flag |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | White cross on red |
| Vatican City | Yellow and white with keys; see the smallest country in the world |
Unusual-shaped flags below national level
- Ohio has the only non-rectangular US state flag, a swallowtail shape called a burgee.
- Many ships’ signal flags and naval pennants are triangular or forked.
Other flag records
- Oldest continuously used national flag: Denmark’s Dannebrog, traditionally dated to 1219.
- Paraguay has different designs on the front and back of its flag.
For flag etiquette, see why flags fly at half-staff.
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