National flag is essential to any nation that struggle for independence. It symbolizes national integrity, unity and sovereignty. It also characterizes patriotism of a nation. And it is been the grass root of political freedom. Tamil people of Eelam, who struggle for freedom, do have a national flag. On the second national heroes day(27.11.1990), the Tiger flag has been adopted as national flag Tamil Eelam.

Here we answer to some questions like how the symbol Tiger appeared on the flag? Who created it? What does it mean?

In 1972, our national leader, Mr.Prabakaran, inaugurated Tamil Eelam freedom movement. Then he called the movement as 'Tamil New Tigers'. Later in 1976, he renamed as "Tamil Tigers". Since then it represents secularity of Tamil Eelam and destiny of freedom.

There is a reason why Prabakaran choose 'Tiger' as national symbol. Tiger symbol has historically deep roots into Dravida civilization. It illustrates Tamil's heroism and national upraise of that time. The symbol of Tiger points heroes and their faith. The Cholaz won several historical battles under Tiger flag and held the Tamils as patriots. The Tiger flag always deeply represents as a symbol of national patriotism, national feeling.

The choice of Tiger symbol by our national leader proves to be the most intelligent and historical decision. And that helps to lead armed struggle of our nation which was ruled by colonialists and now by Sinhalese over 500 years.

Today the Tiger symbol lives deep in hearts and souls of Tamils. The whole nation stands united and upraise under the flag of Tiger.

Our national leader Prabakaran's decision bears another reason.

How could a small nation, which has been ruled so long by a larger nations, can fight against? To lead the arms struggle against well equipped, modern forces, it was necessary to form a force which should have special military entities. Based on these needs, it was necessary to develop freedom fighters with incredible bravery, fearless heroism, ambition of freedom. Fighters should act like a Tiger with its agile and aggression. With all these characteristics, Prabakaran built Tamil Tigers, which is been praised as the best army of liberation in the world today.

The Tiger symbol is drawn on the national flag to reflect Prabakaran's thoughts. A well known artist and friend of Prabakaran's from Madurai, Nadarajan, drew the symbol in 1977. After several iterations, the Tiger symbol is born, fulfilling our leader's thoughts. Today the Tiger symbol enhances our flag. Let us now see, the meanings of our flags which will be one day raised as our national flag.

There are three colors in our flag. Yellow, Red and Black are the colors in flag. Tamil of Eelam do have a homeland, the homeland is their birthright, because of people of Tamil Eelam are distinct nation, they do have a right to self-determination. The right to self-determination is basic political right of Tamil People. The national fight to liberate and to self-govern, is fair and justice. Yellow reflects that struggle is based on humanity and human honesty.

The liberated Tamil Eelam would not necessarily mean that Tamils of Eelam have been fully liberated. Inequality in our society should be eliminated, conflicts in casts should be wiped out, women oppression must be erased. To achieve these social justices, there should be social revolutions. Equality, fairness, social justice should always be established. The red color stands in our flag, requesting these social changes.

The road to freedom is rough. It gives deaths, destruction and unspeakable hardships. We need to tolerate all these in our hearts. We have to have strong faith and unbreakable belief in freedom. Black color stresses all these factors in our flag.

In the center of flag, the Tiger symbol is placed. Head and legs of Tiger represents aggressiveness. The meanings of Tiger symbol have been explained above. This flag tells not only Tamil national upraise, but also our courage and strength. Our freedom struggle is compared here with jumping Tiger. The rounds of ammunition and edge of knives are expressing that our freedom struggle is armed.

Over all our national flag is a messenger, that demands freedom, justice and illustrates our courageous freedom struggle. The flag is also being the symbol of tomorrow's country of independent Eelam.

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