Hong Kong Flag by Lee Yeuk

Lion Rock not only represents Hong Kong but also symbolizes the Hong Kong spirit, much like Mount Fuji does for Japan. If the new Hong Kong does not change its flag, so be it—but if there is to be a new flag, Lion Rock cannot be absent.

The black lower half of the flag also symbolizes the yin aspect of the tai chi symbol. The entire flag forms a tai chi diagram, with the white upper half representing the sun (yang). The black and white dots signify lesser yin and lesser yang—yin within yang, yang within yin—light within darkness, darkness within light, good and evil, justice and corruption, all interwoven. This original meaning of the tai chi symbol is particularly relevant to Hong Kong today. In recent years, we have come to understand that the world cannot be simply divided into black and white—staying does not necessarily mean weakness, and leaving does not always lead to newfound freedom.

Moreover, tai chi is a Chinese concept, and Hong Kong has historically been the place that preserved traditional Chinese culture the most—or at least, it once was.

Flags with text are rare, but examples include the national flags of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as many municipal flags in Taiwan. Historically, Hong Kong's coat of arms also included the words "Hong Kong." Therefore, incorporating "H" and "K" in the design aligns with international recognition, as "HK" is widely understood to represent Hong Kong.

The lion wearing a crown symbolizes Britain, but it signifies more than just British colonial rule over Hong Kong—it also represents the freedoms we once had, which were granted by Britain. The values of the rule of law and civil liberties that Hong Kong once embraced came from the British, and these qualities will one day return.

The dragon on the right does not represent the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party—that is the role of the hammer and sickle. Instead, the dragon (Dragon, not Loong) represents Chinese culture—Confucian values, family ties, and brotherhood. Without Chinese culture, where would the sense of solidarity and mutual understanding that defined the 2019 protests have come from?

Additionally, the white in the flag symbolizes peace, the black represents the protesters, and the yellow of the lion and dragon stands for conscience.