What do the colors of the Indian flag mean? Meaning of the tricolor and the chakra. (Image: iStock)
India celebrates its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024. On this occasion, people across the country show their love for the national flag by hoisting it on their homes, schools, offices and other places.
The tricolor has great significance. It has horizontal lines with saffron (kesari) on top, white in the middle and green at the bottom. In the middle of the white band is a navy blue wheel representing the chakra. The design is similar to the wheel seen on the abacus of the Sarnath lion chapter of Ashoka. The diameter of the wheel is approximately equal to the width of the white band. It has 24 spokes.
Let us understand what the colors of our flag stand for.
Safran (Kesari): Courage and willingness to sacrifice
The top stripe of the flag is saffron, a colour that symbolises strength and sacrifice. It is meant to commemorate the selflessness of the country’s liberation fighters and leaders who worked tirelessly for India’s independence.
White: truth, peace and purity
The central band is white and represents the values of truth, peace and purity in the country. In the middle of this band is the Ashoka Chakra, a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes. The white background emphasizes the need to maintain peace and tranquility in a country as diverse as India.
Green: faith, fertility and prosperity
The bottom stripe of the flag is green and represents faith, fertility and prosperity. It emphasizes the importance of the land and its fertility to the welfare and economic prosperity of the nation. The green stripe indicates India’s agricultural and natural resources, which are vital to its economy.
The Ashoka Chakra: The Wheel of Law
What do the colors of the Indian flag mean? Meaning of the tricolour And ChakraThe Ashoka Chakra, a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes, is located in the center of the white ring. This badge, which comes from the Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath, represents the endless wheel of the law or “Dharma.” The spokes of the wheel represent fundamental values such as love, courage, patience and trustworthiness. The prominent presence of the chakra on the flag represents mobility and progress, reminding residents that India must continue to evolve.
In modern India, the tricolour is more than just a national symbol. It reflects the unity of the nation amidst its diversity. The colours of the flag, as well as the Ashoka Chakra, represent the values and ideals that underpin the founding and ongoing success of the Indian Republic.
