Union of Burma, 1948

On 4 January 1948 the Union of Burma became an independent republic, combining Upper- and Lower Burma with the Frontier Areas, that had been administered separately: the Shan States, Chin Hills and Kachin tracts, inhabited by ethnic minorities. Its flag was red with a blue canton containing one large white star, symbolising the Union and five small white stars around it, standing for the five main ethnic groups: Burmese, Shans, Karens, Chins, and Kachins. The white colour symbolised honesty.