CHIN NATIONAL FLAG
The Chin flag is a central symbol of heritage, especially during Chin National Day celebrations in the United States and across the global diaspora. However, multiple existing designs and the absence of a single, unified national flag create uncertainty, with many unsure which to display. This reflects the Chin people’s complex history, political divisions, and tribal diversity, leaving no single design that fully represents the community as a whole. To address this, I proposed a new national flag that blends meaningful symbols, colors, and motifs shared across Chin communities. Retaining familiar elements while introducing new ones, the design centers the vakok (great hornbill), the Chin national bird, representing loyalty, commitment, family, and faith. This flag serves as a unifying emblem of pride, resilience, and cultural survival, offering a powerful visual tool to strengthen Chin identity in Chin State and throughout the diaspora.
CREATING A SYMBOL OF UNITY AND IDENTITY
One barrier to preserving Chin identity in the U.S. is the absence of a single, unified national flag. The Myanmar flag is offensive to most Chin people (fig. RB), but there is no single Chin flag that all Chin people accept. One of the primary efforts the Chin people have made to maintain our heritage in the US is through cultural events and the celebration of Chin National Day, during which the Chin flag is commonly displayed, both in Chin State and across the global diaspora. However, the existence of multiple flag designs complicates this effort. When asked about the Chin national flag, many Chin people are uncertain which design to claim as the official flag. Some Chin-Americans even hesitate to display a flag during cultural celebrations simply because they don’t know which one to choose or have difficulty accessing one. The lack of a clear, unifying symbol of the Chin people is part of the larger challenge of sustaining Chin heritage in the diaspora, as it hinders efforts to create a cohesive cultural identity that can unite Chin communities around the world.
This uncertainty reflects the complex history, political divisions, and tribal diversity within the Chin population. While certain flags are meaningful to specific groups, they fail to represent the entire Chin community, causing confusion about what truly symbolizes the collective identity of the Chin people. A notable example is the flag of the Chin National Front (CNF) (fig. LT). As one of the most prominent armed resistance groups advocating for Chin political rights, the CNF has significantly shaped the modern Chin political landscape. However, for some Chin individuals, the CNF flag is seen more as a symbol of armed resistance, a battle flag, rather than a national or diplomatic emblem. This is not a critique of the flag design, the CNF or its mission, but rather an acknowledgment that adopting the emblem of a single group as a national flag is not serving the broader Chin community.
Existing Flags (Top Left → Bottom Right)
Top Left: Chin National Front (CNF) – Chin Council
This flag features two illustrated black-and-white great hornbills perched on a bare branch, framed by a white circle. The background consists of three horizontal stripes: red at the top, white in the middle, and blue at the bottom.
Top Right: Chin State Flag – Chin Brotherhood
At the center is a yellow hornbill outlined in black, perched on a green branch with a black outline, enclosed in a solid white circle. Surrounding the circle are nine evenly spaced white stars. The flag’s three horizontal stripes are blue (top), red (middle), and green (bottom).
Bottom Left: Chin National Defence Force (CNDF)
The design depicts a black great hornbill perched atop a shotgun and spear, all enclosed within a solid white circle. The background is composed of three horizontal stripes: blue (top), red (middle), and green (bottom).
Bottom Right: National Flag of Myanmar (Burma)
This flag features a single white five-pointed star at its center with three horizontal stripes: gold on top, green in the middle, and red at the bottom.
