What is the Har Ghar Tiranga Flag? The History Behind India's National Flag
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The Har Ghar Tiranga is the official flag of India. It is also known as the National Flag of India. The design of the flag was finalized in August 1911, with the government’s permission given to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Jackson Bennett to design a new national flag for India. The first National Flag of independent India was hoisted at 74st Indian Independence Day on 15 August 1947 in Delhi. The Har Ghar Tiranga literally means “blue shield” in Hindi, and is sometimes called as the National Tricolour or the Pan-National Tricolour. The blue color represents vigilance, perseverance, justice and freedom; white stands for peace and unity; and red symbolizes sacrifice and courage. In addition to being used as an ensign by the armed forces, it can also be used at parades, functions, ceremonies and formal government events by civilians. Read on to know more about this important national symbol.
What is a National Flag?
A national flag is any flag which symbolizes a nation, i.e., the people, the territory they inhabit and the government which governs them. Usually, a flag is a sign of nationalism, and is used to represent a country’s flag, coat of arms, people, territory and government. In essence, a flag is a sign that represents the nation. In India, the National Flag is the Har Ghar Tiranga, commonly known as the Tricolour. The flag of India has three colours - The blue colour represents vigilance, perseverance, justice and freedom; white stands for peace and unity; and red symbolizes sacrifice and courage. In addition to being used as an ensign by the armed forces, it can also be used at parades, functions, ceremonies and formal government events by civilians.
The evolution of the Har Ghar Tiranga
The first blue flag with a golden sun in the center was first hoisted on 15 August 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. It was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Jackson Bennett, the then Military Secretary of the Government of India. He had proposed the flag during a meeting of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in 1909. The blue colour in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha. The Har Ghar Tiranga has not just been the official flag of independent India but also of the Indian Union before 1947. The Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom, was the first foreign flag to be hoisted on Indian soil. It was hoisted at the Red Fort in Delhi on 26 January 1848 by Sir James Metcalfe, the first Secretary of State for India. Later, the flag was hoisted at other Indian cities as well.
Usage of the Har Ghar Tiranga
The flag is flown on all government buildings and public buildings as a sign of national pride. It is also used as a decoration by national and state-level sports teams, as well as individuals who participate in sporting events. The flag is also flown during national ceremonies and is raised during Independence Day celebrations, Republic Day celebrations, and on other important days. The flag is also used during religious events such as festivals, religious meetings and on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. You can fly the flag on the following days as per the following schedule: It is recommended to fly the flag on Independence Day, Republic Day, during the economic festivals like Diwali, Holi and Christmas, on the birth anniversary of the nation’s leaders and on other important days.
Important facts about the Har Ghar Tiranga
The blue colour in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha. The national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra, is inscribed in the centre of the blue field of the flag. The Ashoka Chakra is a 2-fold emblem - The wheel of Dharma (right half) and Rod of Asoka (left half). The Har Ghar Tiranga (National Tricolour) is the National Flag of India. The blue in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha. The national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra, is inscribed in the centre of the blue field of the flag. The Ashoka Chakra is a 2-fold emblem - The wheel of Dharma (right half) and Rod of Asoka (left half).
Har Ghar, not Tricolor!
The blue in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha. The national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra, is inscribed in the centre of the blue field of the flag. The Ashoka Chakra is a 2-fold emblem - The wheel of Dharma (right half) and Rod of Asoka (left half). The Har Ghar Tiranga (National Tricolour) is the National Flag of India. The first blue flag with a golden sun in the centre was first hoisted on 15 August 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. It was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Jackson Bennett, the then Military Secretary of the Government of India. He had proposed the flag during a meeting of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in 1909. The blue colour in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha.
The current flag and its design evolution
The first blue flag with a golden sun in the center was first hoisted on 15 August 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. It was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Jackson Bennett, the then Military Secretary of the Government of India. He had proposed the flag during a meeting of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in 1909. The blue colour in the flag represents sky and the sky is often associated with the Active Element of the flag, which symbolizes the Morning Sickness (Vigilance) of the Nation. The sun in the centre of the flag is the symbol of the Supreme Being, who is considered as the form of the Universal Spirit or Mahapurusha. The national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra, is inscribed in the centre of the blue field of the flag. The Ashoka Chakra is a 2-fold emblem - The wheel of Dharma (right half) and Rod of Asoka (left half).
Conclusion
The Har Ghar Tiranga literally means “blue shield” in Hindi, and is sometimes called as the National Tricolour or the Pan-National Tricolour. The blue colour represents vigilance, persever