Hmong Flag?

I am not sure what this flag represents -- your input is welcome. The following are two possibile interpretations of this flag:

Suggestion 1

To my knowledge, the Hmong do not have any yet. The flag you mentioned seems interesting but not surprising. The human sysbols on the four corners look like the Chao-Fa Gods built in the Refugee Camp Ban Vinai, Thailand. The star probably represents General Vang Pao. The sun may stand for Hmong's energy and quest for a better life/future. The arrows probably refer to the Hmong culture.

Keith Quincy, author of Hmong History of A People, describes a magical Hmong flag used by a young Hmong woman during 400-900 A.D. to help her father fight against the Chinese this way: "...black and white with the emblem of a dragon surrounded by flying birds...."

Suggestion 2

I've heard about this flag before, but I wasn't sure until I confirmed with a Hmong friend. As you may already know, Hmong have many political parties?(groups), and one of these groups came up with this flag to represent the Hmong people. To me, it is an ensignia or a logo representing that group only. But it is always a dream of Hmong older generation that some day Hmong will have a country with her own flag. I guess the six-star figure symbolizes the sun/stars, the circle represents the moon, the people represent the gods in the sky, and the two arrows--I have no clues.

Suggestion 3

My name is Mathew Moua and I am a freshman at CSU, Sacramento. I know my opinion my not mean anything, but it said that opinions were welcomed. To me, if this is the Hmong flage, the statues in the four corners means that we Hmong well spread and be all over the world. All over the four corners of the universe. Also it stand for the Gods that we worship or some of us worships. The star stands for a great leader that well guide us to our destiny. The destiny of the Hmong people who are nomands and need to find themselves in a world that seems to reject them. Further the sun stand for the symbol of us Hmong. The star symbolizes the strength of us. Like the sun that shines with such beauty and power so do us Hmong. We have survived the worst of all. The pain and suffering of war to find ourselves again fighting for our lives in a land that rejects us and puts us down, but in the end we well survive. Like the sun that shines every day we shall shine oneday. The arrows stand for each individual. It stand for the path that they decided to take and the religion that they accept. It stands for the path of good or bad that each of us Hmong will have to choose, because of all the fustration and pressure that set on us. We well have to choose one day if not alread. Further it is a symbol of our religion. In todays society their are many religions and we have to accept one or antoher. There are the old ways of the Hmong people, but that religion is lossing it's toll on the younger community. So the Hmong of today have to choose if they wish to hold the old religion or go forth into Christian hood or other religion. The flag seems to be the future and what it holds for us Hmong. Us Hmong don't have a land, a nation, or a world. All we have is each other. So for us to fight on for the future we have to have a symbol of light and strength. A symbol of HOPE for the people. This is my opinion of the Hmong Flag. Remember I am only a freshman in college, but I am a thinker. Many people my think that I am not smart, but I have a mind that thinks. My opinion does matter even if everyone says it doesn't. Us Hmong well be the truth of the world, and well survive all cause. The only things that well kill us is ourselves and the children that is suppose to be our future. "Mathew Moua" , Thu, 08 Oct 1998 10:35:30 PDT

Comment 4

Wed, 17 Feb 1999 15:11:36 -0600
From: DH Yang <phx7@airmail.net%gt;

I was kind of shocked and then delighted when I stumbled across your web page with a Hmong flag design. I consider vexillology as a hobby and I have never actually seen a Hmong designed "Hmong flag". Reading the posted suggestions, it mentions an ancient legend, most Hmong may have forgotten, about an just a ancient battle. I too, have heard and seen documentary which collaborates Mr. Quincy's research and I thought I might share it with ya'll. In China today, the Hmong celebrate the new year with an event which involves climbing a two story wooden pole...upside down! This is to recall a battle between the Chinese and the Hmong in which a Hmong warrior tried to signal other Hmong of the pending attack. A flag was to be carried to the top of a tall evergreen tree as the signal. However, when a warrior climbed up the tree the Chinese blew/shot away his head. Several attempts were made. Eventually, one warrior decided to climb up the tree upside down. Evading being shot(in the head) he was able to reach the top. Now as for the outcome of the battle and the design of that flag used I don't know. In their celebrations today, the Hmong-Chinese use a red banner, most likely a communist adaptation.

Thanks for providing a great database of Hmong knowledge and identity to the world.

Dan Yang

Comment 5

Mon, 22 Feb 1999 11:36:00 +1100
Kenny <dreamloverhmong@hotmail.com>

Hey, Hmong started in Australia 1000 years BC. It's because of the Witch, that kill the Hmong God, that's why we lost the Sword of God, and the Ring of Fire, but now we have contact with our Hmong God again, whoever told you about he history was wrong, because Hmong never die, they are call forever young. Every hmong know who they are.

Everyone is waiting for the year 2000, 15 of May 6:00pm. The power sword and the ring of Hello have been removed.