Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, 1974
On 4 January 1974 a new constitution proclaimed the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. A new flag had already been adopted on 27 December 1973, symbolising the “Burmese Road to Socialism”. It displayed in the blue canton a cog wheel and a paddy ear, symbolising industry and agriculture, surrounded with 14 five-pointed stars, one for each State and Division. The colour red signifies courage and decisiveness, white signifies purity and virtue and dark blue signifies peace and integrity.