Vietnamese five-color flags

Cờ ngũ sắc
UseOther Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:1
Vietnamese five-color flags
Vietnamese alphabetCờ ngũ sắc
Chữ Hán旗五色
A five-color flag at a festival in 2010 commemorates the millennial of the founding of Thăng Long (Hanoi).

In Vietnamese culture, five-color flags (Vietnamese: cờ ngũ sắc, chữ Hán: 旗五色) or five elements flags (Vietnamese: cờ ngũ hành, chữ Hán: 旗五行), deity flag (Vietnamese: cờ thần, chữ Hán: 旗神) are traditionally flown during festivals and religious ceremonies. A five-color flag consists of five concentric squares in red, green, yellow, and blue, representing the five elements (ngũ hành). The order of colors varies. The outermost square has three ragged edges, similar to fringing. The center of the flag is sometimes defaced to commemorate a specific concept or personality.

Historically, some imperial and military ensigns followed a similar pattern.