Malaysia’s national flag has 14 red and white stripes.
Known as the Jalur Gemilang, or “Stripes of Glory,” the flag consists of fourteen equal horizontal stripes alternating red and white. In the blue canton sits a yellow crescent and a fourteen-pointed star called the Bintang Persekutuan, or Federal Star.
The design was first created for the Federation of Malaya in 1950, when it had eleven stripes and an eleven-pointed star. Three stripes and three star points were added in 1963 when Malaysia was formed, reflecting the expanded federation. The fourteenth stripe and point represent the federation as a whole, including the federal territories.
The stripes are often confused with the star’s points because both number fourteen. The stripes symbolize the equal status of Malaysia’s thirteen states and federal territories, while the crescent represents Islam and yellow is the royal color of the Malay rulers. Red traditionally signifies bravery, and white signifies purity.