The national flag of Bangladesh was adopted officially on January 17, 1972. During 1971 and during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which is known in Bangladesh as the Liberation War, a similar flag was used, the difference being that a map of Bangladesh was located over the red sun. The map was later deleted from the flag though, most likely to maintain a simpler design. The flag resembles that of Japan, except it has a green field instead of a white one. A red disc representing the sun rising over Bengal is on top of the green field. The red color of the sun also symbolizes the blood of those who died for the independence of Bangladesh. The green field does not stand for Islam but for the lushness of the land of Bangladesh. [1]