Friday 13 May 2016

By Steven Hong


Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa opposite Mozambique. The world's fourth-largest island, it is twice the size of Arizona. The country's low-lying coastal area gives way to a central plateau. The once densely wooded interior has largely been cut down.

The island is first known to Europeans after being sighted in 1500 by a Portuguese ship on the new route to India, but it is not until a century later that much outside attention is paid to the place. In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries try to bring to the Malagasy the news of Christianity, and both Britain and France attempt to establish settlements.

The flag of Madagascar was first hoisted on October 14, 1958, prior to the declaration of its independence on June 26, 1960. It was first flown alongside its preparation for a referendum which tackled its membership with the French community. The flag is composed of three colors white, red and green. The red and green are placed together (red on top, green below) to form two horizontal stripes while the white color is placed perpendicular to the two horizontal stripes.

The colors impressed on the flags represent the struggles of its people for independence from French tyranny. The history of Madagascar will tell that the colors green and red were once used by Queen Ranavalona III as the flag of Merina kingdom which yielded to FranceĆ¢€™s domination in 1896. Queen Ranavalona III was the last reigning Merina monarch before the kingdom succumbed to French rule.

One theory on the Madagascar flag's meaning states that the colors of the Madagascar flag represent Madagascar's history, yearning for independence, and traditional classes. Red and white were the colors of the Merina kingdom, which fell to France in 1896. The colors were used in the flag of Queen Ranavalona III, the last Merina monarch.

There is a newer interpretation regarding given to the flag that is worthy to mention when it comes to the facts and history of Madagascar flag: white stands for purity of the people, green for hope and victory, and finally, red stands for sovereignty. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Madagascar Flag for the future.




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