this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2026
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Nepal is an outlier when it comes to flag shape, as it stands out from the norm (rather "two triangles stacked on top of each other") since according to them: the flag represents Himalaya Mountains & both religions: Hinduism & Buddhism, also the red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the writing of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

That is in contrast to most countries flags as a majority are rectangular in their shape (no matter where from USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Germany, Poland, etc.). I mean, why are most flags rectangle by default rather than being unique on using another shape? I mean, Nepal is the only country where a flag is designed from another shape that differs from a rectangle.

top 27 comments
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[–] immutable@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 hour ago (1 children)
[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 45 minutes ago

Coolest flag in the country. Except maybe Maryland or Minnesota

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 hour ago (2 children)

On a similar note, I've often wondered why almost all coins are round

[–] crimsonpoodle@pawb.social 4 points 1 hour ago

Many old coins were stamped from blobs of metal; harder to create a perfect square than a mostly perfect circle.

[–] palordrolap@fedia.io 3 points 1 hour ago

Round coins are less likely to damage coin purses and pockets. No more complicated than that.

Then as technology has moved on, it has proven advantageous for coins to have constant radius so that coin-accepting machines don't jam on an unfortunate rotation of points.

This is why even when coins aren't round - thinking specifically of the British 50 pence and 20 pence coins, but there are others - they still have curved sides.

[–] Pamasich@kbin.earth 31 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Worth noting that while the rest of the world uses rectangles, it's not always the same dimensions.

The Swiss flag, for example, is explicitly square. If it's not square, it's actually the maritime version specifically.

[–] Dasus@lemmy.world 6 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

Worth noting that while the rest of the world uses rectangles, it's not always the same dimensions.

Very much this

Edit also whoever made that image couldn't write "Finland"

[–] Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone 2 points 55 minutes ago (1 children)

I like to think they all kept increasing flag size because of the others being bigger

[–] Dasus@lemmy.world 1 points 38 minutes ago

Given the age the nations, I'd say that's not entirely unlikely. We Finns did do ours last, afaik.

[–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

red triangular flag has been a Hindu symbol of victory since the time of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

What do you mean "since the time of"?. They were mythological fictional writings based on the area.

You mean since their writing?

[–] sonofearth@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

It is argued that the powers they posses are mythological but the figures actually existed as kings and princes of that era. But there is no conclusive evidence of it as Indians in general were not great at recording their history and whatever they did record (which was still a lot) was kept in Nalanda which was burnt by invaders.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 2 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

And Jesus and Allah are myths, you say?

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 1 points 12 minutes ago
[–] banause@feddit.org 103 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Historically, triangular shaped flags in South Asia were very common, since it was compact in size so the flag furled even with the lowest wind, thus making it visible over long distances. The flags of almost all states in South Asia were once triangular. Nepal has simply maintained its ancient tradition, while every other state has adopted a rectangular or square version in the European vexillological tradition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nepal#Aspect_ratio

[–] frightful5680@lemmy.world 27 points 12 hours ago (1 children)
[–] blarghly@lemmy.world 56 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Probably because rectangles are cheaper and easier to mass manufacture. Even if your flag is hand-sewn, it is a lot easier to communicate "x by y" rather than a more complicated shape. And the purpose of a flag isn't to be a fantastically unique and inspired piece of art - it is to be identifiable, and hopefully somewhat striking.

[–] Apepollo11@lemmy.world 35 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Not just mass-manufacturing - because of how they work, the rectangle is the default shape of cloth produced on any loom.

[–] Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

A shape like a right-angled triangle is pretty easy to produce from a square or rectangle, so if it was only that reason we would also see a lot of right-angled triangle shaped flags.

Could it be that the physics of the shape makes rectangles more resiliant as flags (as in, remaining at least partially intact) in the wind?

Or maybe it's some Historical reason that boils down to some common origin of that shape as tradition?

Or maybe a bit of all including ease of manufacturing?

[–] Apepollo11@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

Maybe another thing worth considering is that rectangular flags are just bigger and easier to see than other shapes.

Also, maybe it just became "normal" to have square flags. The Romans conquered most of Europe, and they flew rectangular banners from their standards. Following the fall of the empire, the different parts of Europe were at war with each other for one and a half thousand years. I suspect all having had this original template, then the subsequent fighting / conquering / reconquering / reconquering, probably lead to this shape becoming normalised.

[–] leoj@piefed.social 2 points 5 hours ago

Somebody call Sheldon, we gots questions about flags.

[–] TheUnicornOfPerfidy@feddit.uk 32 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Have you looked at Nepal's time zone? I just don't think they realy care what other countries do.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 4 points 2 hours ago

Not even half hour increment ffs

[–] BagOfHeavyStones@piefed.social 1 points 9 hours ago

Stands out from the norm with a nom.