Each element of the Sri Lankan flag has specific meanings tied to the cultural and religious ethos of the country:

• Golden Lion with a Sword: At the heart of the flag is a golden lion holding a kastane sword in its right fore-paw. This lion symbolizes the bravery and strength of the Sinhalese, the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala are believed to be descendants of the lion.

• Maroon Background: The maroon background serves as a backdrop for the lion, representing the Sinhalese people as well. Maroon is a color often associated with the earth and vitality.

• Gold Bo Leaves: Each of the four corners of the flag features a golden Bo leaf, symbolizing the four Buddhist virtues of loving-kindness (Metta), compassion (Karuna), sympathetic joy (Mudita), and equanimity (Upekkha).

• Gold Border: Surrounding the maroon background is a golden border, representing the unity of Sri Lanka’s diverse minority communities. The color gold symbolizes preservation and the shared heritage of the entire nation.

• Orange and Green Stripes: To the left of the lion are vertical stripes of orange and green. The orange stripe symbolizes the Tamil population of Sri Lanka, which includes both Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils. The green stripe represents the Sri Lankan Moors, who are primarily Muslim.