Why did the Laos flag change?
In 1975 a new communist government assumed power and a new flag that was previously the flag of Pathet Lao adopted. The flag is a red-blue-red horizontal triband with a white circle in the centre. The white disc representing the power of the people, the red is the blood shed, the blue is prosperity.
What is the story behind Laos flag?
The red stripes stand for the blood shed by the Lao people on both banks of the Mekong River (the multi-ethnic people of Laos and the Isan people of Northeastern Thailand) in their struggle for freedom and independence from the French, and the blue symbolizes the Mekong River itself, a symbol of the nation’s prosperity …
Does Laos have a flag?
The National Flag of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is dark blue with red edges and a white moon. The width of the flag is two-thirds of its length. The area of the red edges on each side is one-half of the dark blue area. The area of the white moon is equal to four-fifths of the dark blue area.
Who designed the Laos flag?
Maha Sila Viravong
The flag was designed by Maha Sila Viravong, a famous Lao nationalist, intellectual, and scholar of traditional Lao literature. The Laos flag is one of the two flags of a currently communist country (the other is Cuba) that does not use any communist symbolism.
What does the Laos 3 Headed elephant mean?
The three headed mythic elephant symbol had the same number as there were principalities in the country. Thus the three heads came to represent the former small kingdoms of Vientiane, Luangprabang, and Champasak.
What does the 3 headed elephant symbolize?
The three headed elephant image is Buddhist/Hindu in origin – it’s called Airavata (or Erawan in Thai & Cambodia). The elephant has always been a symbol of greatness, wisdom and as a vehicle of transportation. Many former Lao kings prized these huge elephant beasts, especially the light color/albino breeds.
What is unique about Laos?
Laos is the only landlocked country in the whole of Southeast Asia. Recently referred to as ‘land-linked’ rather than ‘land-locked’, Laos is an independent republic in Southeast Asia bordered by northeast Thailand, west Vietnam and is surrounded by Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
What is Laos national animal?
The elephant
The elephant is the official national animal of Laos, a reflection on both the unique virtues of this unique animal and on the spiritual makeup of the Laotian people. Buddhism is the predominant spirituality in Laos, and Buddhism recognizes the elephant as a symbol of mental and physical fortitude as well as loyalty.
Is Lao Cambodian?
Even though the Lao have lived in Cambodia for many generations, they were excluded from being considered ‘indigenous peoples’ when the category was legally introduced to Cambodia through the 2001 land law. Instead, they are not classified as ‘ethnic Lao’, except for the very few who were actually born in Laos.
What is national animal of Laos?
What are 3 facts about Laos?
Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
Why is Laos called Million elephants?
Laos use to be known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang (1354 to 1707), which translates to “Land of a Million Elephants”. As Laos had extensive forests and sparse human population, wild herds of elephants roamed all over.
Why is Laos called Million Elephants?
The name “A MILLION ELEPHANTS” comes from Lao history and culture and speaks to our mission to bring prosperity to Lao artisans through fair trade: Laos use to be known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang (1354 to 1707), which translates to “Land of a Million Elephants”.
Who is the God of Laos?
Nagas are a cultural treasure in this Southeast Asian country. The head of a naga, a legendary half-man, half-serpent god, caps a temple in Thakhek, Laos. The water spirit is worshipped by religions including Buddhism and animism in this Southeast Asian country. It’s also a major motif in Lao weaving.
Is Lao a rich country?
Despite rapid growth, Laos remains one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. A landlocked country, it has inadequate infrastructure and a largely unskilled work force.
Are Laotians Chinese?
The Laotian Chinese are Laotian citizens of Chinese ancestry. They constitute one of the many Overseas Chinese residing in Southeast Asia. At present, they constitute an estimated 1 to 2 percent of the Laotian population.