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Why does India have a tricolour flag?
Spiritual symbolism
Saffron embodies courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of renunciation. White symbolizes unity, purity, and peace. Dr. Radhakrishnan, India’s first Vice President said of the white color, “The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct.” Green represents fertility and prosperity of the land. The ‘Chakra’ is the symbol of law and progress. Of this, Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “…the wheel denotes motion… represents the dynamism of a peaceful change. The 24 spokes symbolize twenty-four hours of the day.”

Religious symbolism
When the flag was being designed, Hinduism and Islam were the two major religions. Saffron represented Hinduism and green stood for Islam. White represented the minority religions.

Modern symbolism
Unlike the national passion we see in other countries, in India, this fervor seems to be reserved for the armed forces! The freedom movement no doubt influenced the tricolor, but it needs more than history to represent the people. Today, the tricolor has become more of a political symbol than a national symbol.


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