Symbolism all aflutter

Our flag

The Hong Kong government has specified sizes, colours and manufacturing parameters to which the flag should be made

Standard sizes

Width-height ratio of 3:2

288x192cm

240x160

192x128

144x96

96x64

30x20 (car flag)

Bauhinia blakeana flower

Sometimes called the Hong Kong orchid as it was discovered in Hong Kong in 1880. Five-petal stylised rendering

3/5 of the flag height

4/10 of the flag width

13.48!

Five stars

Symbolise the stars of the national flag

Background

Same shade of red as that used for the national flag so as to represent the motherland

Display of flag

Always at left side of the national flag if they are in front of a building Inside a building

Bigger than Hong Kong flag

In procession

PRC flag in front of the Hong Kong flag

Flag at half mast

When president, any chairman of the nation, or other prominent people die

1870-1876 A British blue ensign with a crowned 'HK'

1876-1910 A British blue ensign with local waterfront scene

1910-1959 A British blue ensign with local waterfront scene

1959-1997 A British blue ensign with the coat of arms of Hong Kong

Lowering the British and colonial flags

Three British army officials

Three HK police officials

Both flags lowered in 34 seconds while God Save the Queen played

Raising the Chinese and SAR flags

Three HK police officials

Three PLA officials

Raised in 42 seconds while national anthem played

Source: Hong Kong Government