The national flag of Indonesia is a simple, two-colored design flag that is divided into two horizontal sections. The color is taken from the color of Majapahit Kingdom. Actually not only the kingdom of Majapahit alone wearing a red and white flag as a symbol of greatness. Before Majapahit, Kediri kingdom has been wearing red and white banners.
In addition, Sisingamangaraja IX war flag of Batak land was wearing red and white as the color of its flag, with twin white sword with red and white base. This red and white color is the flag of war Sisingamangaraja XII. Two twin swords symbolize the piso gaja dompak, the heirlooms of the Sisingamangaraja I-XII kings.
During the war in Aceh, Acehnese warriors used red-and-white banners in the back of the sword, crescent, sun and stars and several holy verses of the Koran.
In the era of Bugis Bone kingdom, South Sulawesi before Whitewater Palakka, the flag of Merah Putih, is a symbol of power and greatness of the kingdom of Bone. The Bone flag is known as Woromporang.
At the time of the Java war (1825-1830 AD) Prince Diponegoro wore red and white banners in his struggle against the Dutch.
The flag called the Red and White was first used by students and nationalists in the early 20th century under Dutch rule. After World War II ended, Indonesia became independent and began to use this flag as a national flag.
Sang Saka Merah Putih is the nickname of honor against the flag of Merah Putih Indonesia. At first this designation was intended for the Red and White flag flown on 17 August 1945 at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56, Jakarta, during the Proclamation. But then in general use, the Red and White Saka is addressed to every flag of Red and White that is raised in every flag ceremony.
The heritage flag was made by Mrs. Fatmawati, the wife of President Soekarno, in 1944. The Japanese cotton flag (some say the flag material is a wool cloth from London obtained from a Japanese.This material was at that time used specifically to make flag- flag country in the world because famous for its durability) measuring 276 x 200 cm. From 1946 to 1968, the flag was only flown on every independence day of Indonesia. Since 1969, the flag has never been raised again and is currently kept at the Merdeka Palace. The flag was torn at two ends, the white tip was torn at 12 X 42 cm. Edge red tear of 15x 47 cm. Then there are small holes for mushrooms and insect bites, brownish, black, and white stains. Folded for too long, the folds were torn and the color around the folds faded.
After 1969, which was hoisted and flown on the anniversary of the independence of Indonesia is a duplicate flag made of silk. Heirloom flags are also presented but he just 'watched' from inside the storage box.
The flag of Indonesia has a philosophical meaning. Red means bold, white means holy. Red symbolizes the human body, while the white symbolizes the human soul. Both are complementary and perfect for Indonesia.
In terms of history, since ancient times both red and white colors contain a sacred meaning. Red color similar to the color of sugar / palm sugar and white color similar to the color of rice. These two ingredients are the main ingredients in Indonesian cuisine, especially in Java. When the Majapahit Empire triumphed in the archipelago, the colors of the banners used were red and white (umbul-umbul abang putih). Since the first red and white color is by the Javanese is used for ceremony selamatan baby after four months in the womb in the form of porridge that is given a partial red dye. The Javanese believe that the pregnancy begins since the union of the red element as the mother's symbol, the blood that spilled when the baby was born, and the white element as the father's symbol, planted in the cave of the garba.