Malaysia's flag has 14 horizontal stripes. The red-and-white bands alternate across the flag and are equal in width, with the blue canton at the upper hoist containing a yellow crescent and a 14-pointed star.
Known as the Jalur Gemilang, or “Stripes of Glory,” the flag's design reflects Malaysia's federal structure. The 14 stripes represent the 13 member states together with the federal territories, while the 14 points of the Bintang Persekutuan symbolize their unity.
The flag was first adopted for Malaya in 1950, when it had 11 stripes and an 11-pointed star. Three stripes and three star points were added in 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the federation. Although Singapore later left Malaysia, the 14-stripe design was retained; the symbolism subsequently came to represent the states and federal territories collectively.
A common mix-up is counting the crescent or star as part of the stripe total. They are separate symbols. The red represents bravery, white purity, blue unity, and yellow the royal color of the Malay rulers.