Hidden Meaning of the Buddhist Flag
The Buddhist Flag is a symbol of faith and peace representing the Buddhist faith. It was hoisted for the first time on 28th May 1885, Vesak Full Moon Day, by Ven Migettuwatte Gunananda Thera at Deepaduththaramaya in Kotahena. It was accepted as the International Buddhist Flag by the 1952 World Buddhist Congress.
The flag has six colours viz. Blue (nila), Yellow (pita), Red (lohita), White (odata), Scarlet (manjestha), and the mixture of these six colours (prabaswara). The flag represents the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when He attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The colours symbolize the perfection of Buddhahood and the Dharma.
Blue: Radiated from the Buddha`s hair, the color symbolizes the spirit of universal compassion for all beings.
Yellow: Radiated from the Buddha`s epidermis, the color symbolizes the middle way which avoids all extremes and brings balance and liberation.
Red: Radiated from the Buddha`s flesh, the color symbolizes the blessings that the practice of the Lord`s teaching brings.
White: Radiated from the Buddha`s bones and teeth, the color symbolizes the purity of the Buddha`s teaching and the liberation it brings.
Orange: Radiated from the Buddha`s palms, heels and lips, the color symbolizes the unshakable wisdom of the Buddha`s teaching.
Combination Colour: The color symbolizes the universality of the Truth of the Buddha`s teaching.