Philippines - historical flags of 20th Century

modern style flags

Last modified: 2004-03-06 by rob raeside
Keywords: philippines | katipunan | kkk |
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• 1898 flag
• 1919 flag reintroduction
• "How our flag flew again" - article by Jose A. Quirino
• 1936 flag specifications
• Text of the Executive Order 23 specifying the flag
• Adjusting the rays on the flag?

See also:

• Philippines - Historical Flags to 1899
• Shade of blue of the Philippines flag
• Philippines
• Philippines: index of all pages

1898 flag

by Manuel L. Quezon III, 9 January 2002

The Philippine flag was sewn by the revolutionary junta in Hong Kong and first displayed in battle on May 28, 1898. It was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, by President Emilio Aguinaldo. The design as you will note adopted the mythical sun (with a face) common to many former Spanish colonies; the triangle of Masonry; the eight rays represent the first 8 provinces that revolted and were put under martial law by the Spaniards during the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896; the flag was first unfurled with the blue stripe above, but was flown with the red stripe above upon the commencement of hostilities between the Filipinos and Americans in 1899.

According to historians, based on anecdotal evidence and the few flags from the era that have survived, the color of the original flag was the same blue and red as found on the Cuban Flag. My personal theory is that you will be able to trace the characteristics -the triangle at the hoist,