Adopted in 1963. The flag of Malaysia has 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom). There is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star. The flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory). The 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government. The 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities. The crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam. Blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers. (ref: CIA World Factbook)