Naval ensign, Imperial China (1888-1911)

This is the standard national flag adopted by the Qing government from 1888 until its downfall in 1911. A rectangular flag made of wool bunting, machine sewn with hand sewn details with a rope attached for hoisting. The flag shows a five-clawed, blue dragon with a red sun disc on a yellow background. The teeth, horns and claws of the dragon are appliquéd in white cotton. The pupils of the eyes are made of black felt.

The flag was used as a state flag and naval ensign until the fall of the Qing dynasty. The proposal to adopt this design was made in 1888 when the Qing government issued 'The Regulations for the Beiyang Fleet' in which it laid down the standard design of the Qing imperial national flag.

Object Details

ID: AAA0459
Collection: Flags
Type: Naval ensign
Display location: Not on display
Date made: 1898-1904
People: China: Navy; Watson, Hugh
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London with acknowledgements to the Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew
Measurements: Overall: 1240 mm x 1760 mm; Flag: 45 in x 70 in