Flag of Tamil Eelam
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| Name | Puli Kodi ("Tiger flag") |
|---|---|
| Use | National flag and ensign |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | November 21, 1990 |
| Design | An emblem depicting a tiger jumping through a circle of bullets, with crossed bayonets on a red background |
The flag of Tamil Eelam was designated as the national flag of the aspirational state in 1990. The Tiger symbol of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was created in 1977, differentiating it from the LTTE's emblem by leaving out the letters inscribing the movement's name. In 2005, the LTTE released a guide providing instructions and explaining the correct usage of the Tamil Eelam Flag. The guide written in Tamil specifies the regulations for flying alone or with national flags of other countries, and for general handling of the flag. The Flag has four colours, yellow, red, black, and white. It is banned in Sri Lanka and is only used by LTTE supporters around the world.
The jumping Tiger was adopted from the emblem of the Chola Empire, it should reflect the martial history (Veera varalaru) and the national upheaval of the Tamils. The national flag is the symbol of the independent state of Tamil Eelam to be created, rooted in the martial traditions (Veera marapuhal) of the Tamils," LTTE organ Viduthalai Puligal said in its February 1991 issue.
Vellupillai Prabhakaran himself mentioned in an Tamil interview the circle and crossed bayonets represent the armed resistance and were based on the historical shield with crossed swords flag of Pandara Vanniyan. The circle sometimes considered to be a "Uthaya Suriyan" (rising sun) which is a symbol of Sri Lankan Tamils and earlier political movements. The LTTE leader was often compared to Pandara Vannian of Vannimai, because both had a similar fate. Pandara Vannian was a freedom fighter during the British colonial era in Sri Lanka.
Use of the flag of Tamil Eelam in public was controversial in other countries, such as Canada, due to the depiction of the bayonets as it was believed it indirectly promoted violence. Supporters of the flag pointed out that the flag of Sri Lanka depicts a lion carrying a sword.
The bullets, symbolize the historical 33 years between 1948 - 1981 (oppression the Tamil population by the Sri Lankan government before the outbreak of Sri Lankan Civil War) or 1976-2009 (LTTE operated 33 years in Sri Lanka).
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