FG-046 — Republic of China National Flag (Annin/Defiance, 1942–1943)

FG-046 — Full view (84 × 140 cm; nominal 3 × 5 ft). Annin/Defiance production, 1942–1943; cotton bunting, double-appliquéd sun, zinc grommets.

Flag ID: FG-046

Flag facts

• Dimensions (measured): 84 × 140 cm (approx. 3:5)
• Nominal size (hoist stamp): 3 × 5 ft (91.44 × 152.4 cm)
• Date of Manufacture: 1942–1943
• Maker: Annin / Defiance, New York, USA
• Material: Cotton bunting blend
• Construction: Multi-piece red field; blue canton separately pieced; white sun with twelve rays double-appliquéd (stitched on both sides)
• Hoist: White cotton canvas heading with two zinc grommets; printed Annin “Defiance” label; 3 × 5 FT size stamp

Dimensional note

The current measurements (84 × 140 cm) are approximately 8% smaller than the nominal 3 × 5 ft (91.44 × 152.4 cm). This level of reduction is consistent with long-term shrinkage of cotton bunting and minor edge loss or trimming over service life; the shrinkage is proportional on both axes.

Technical observations

U.S. wartime production standards are evident throughout: cotton bunting identical to contemporary 48-star U.S. flags, strong machine stitching at panel joins, and a neatly double-appliquéd sun emblem so both sides present finished work. The hoist uses zinc grommets in place of brass due to wartime metal allocation. Label and sewing style match Annin/Defiance practice.

Dating — diagnostic features (1942–1943)

1. Zinc grommets used during brass shortages in WWII.
2. Annin/Defiance label type consistent with early-1940s runs.
3. Double-appliqué & multipiece bunting typical of U.S. export/military supply flags in that window.
4. Hoist size stamp “3 × 5 FT” indicating standard U.S. procurement sizing used for Allied supply.

Together these elements date the flag to 1942–1943.

Placement & use (period of manufacture)

From 1928 to 1949, this design was the national flag of the Republic of China (ROC). During World War II, U.S.-made examples like this were supplied for ROC civil and military use, appearing on government buildings, bases, and in Allied cooperation contexts.

Why were ROC flags made in the United States (1942–1943)?

• Allied supply & protocol: U.S. agencies, bases, and ceremonies needed correct national flags for ROC representation (embassies, liaison offices, joint commands, parades, press, and conferences).
• Operational use: ROC personnel, missions, and facilities operating with Allied forces required durable flags in standard sizes for buildings, vehicles, and small craft while in Allied theaters and ports.
• Logistics: Wartime disruption in China made local manufacture and delivery unreliable; U.S. production ensured timely, uniform supply.
• Materials policy: U.S. factories followed wartime allocations (e.g., zinc grommets instead of brass), matching precisely what is seen on this piece.
• Manufacturing standards: Cotton bunting, double-row machine stitching, and double-appliquéd emblems delivered the durability expected by U.S. military procurement and public-display needs.

Context & lineage (what happened next)

• 1895: The white sun with twelve rays is adopted by the Kuomintang (KMT) as its emblem.
• 1928: The ROC adopts Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth as the national flag.
• 1945–1949: Conflict resumes in China after the war.
• 1949: The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is established on the mainland; the ROC government relocates to Taiwan and continues to use this flag.
• Today: The same design is the national flag of Taiwan (ROC). The mainland uses the PRC flag (red field with one large star and four small stars), introduced in 1949 to symbolize the Party and the people.

This artifact therefore represents the national flag of China during WWII, and the very same design remains in official use in Taiwan today.

Symbolism

The white sun with twelve rays represents the twelve months and the twelve traditional double-hours (shichen), expressing orderly progress through time. The blue canton signifies the sky and national ideals; the red field the land and the people.

Detail images

Annin/Defiance printed label on the canvas heading.

Zinc grommet (wartime substitution for brass), 1942–1943 and 3×5 FT size stamp

Blue canton with white sun: double-appliquéd emblem, front view.

Reverse side of the canton: the sun is stitched on both sides.

Machine stitching at panel joins; cotton bunting weave.

Fly end reinforcement stitchings

Cotton blend see through

Sources & References

• Object examination and photography: K9 (2025-09-09) — hoist label, grommets, stitching, double-appliqué.
• Annin (Defiance) manufacturing practices, early 1940s — label and stitching traits consistent with observed piece.
• Republic of China flag chronology: national flag adoption in 1928; continued ROC use on Taiwan after 1949.
• General wartime materials policy in U.S. flagmaking (zinc vs. brass grommets, 1942–1943).

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