Taiwan's Evolving National Flag: A Symbol of Independence and International Struggles
A Symbol of National Identity
The flag of the Republic of China, commonly known as the flag of Taiwan, embodies the island nation's unique identity and history. It consists of a red field with a blue canton bearing a white disk surrounded by 12 pointed rays representing the sun.
Olympic Controversies
Chinese Taipei
Due to political tensions with the People's Republic of China, athletes from Taiwan have competed in the Olympic Games under the name "Chinese Taipei" since 1984 and with a specially designed flag that differs from the official national flag.
Historical Evolution
Kingdom of Tungning
The first recorded national flag of Taiwan dates back to 1663, during the Kingdom of Tungning. It was a plain white flag bearing the character "鄭" (zhèng).
Red Leaf and Sun
The current flag, featuring a red leaf bearing a small blue rectangle with a sun in its center, was adopted in 1945 after World War II.
International Obstacles
Olympic Ban
Since China's admission to the International Olympic Committee, Taiwan has been barred from using its own flag in the Olympic Games, further highlighting the complex political dynamics surrounding its national identity.
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