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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox flag<br />
|Name = Tamil Eelam<br />
|Article =<br />
|Image = Tamil Eelam Flag.svg<br />
|Nickname = Puli Kodi ("Tiger flag")<br />
|Use = 111111<br />
|Symbol =<br />
|Proportion = 5:9<br />
|Adoption = November 21, 1990<br />
|Design = An emblem depicting a [[tiger]] jumping through a circle of [[bullets]], with crossed [[bayonet]]s on a red background<br />
|Type =<br />
}}<br />
The '''flag of [[Tamil Eelam]]''' was designated as the national flag of the aspirational state in 1990. The [[tiger]] symbol of the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) was created in 1977, differentiating it from the LTTE's emblem by leaving out the letters inscribing the movement's name.<ref>[http://www.tamilnation.co/tamileelam.htm TAMIL EELAM STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM Under one flag]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=16423 | title=Rules guide on use of Tamileelam National flag published | publisher=Tamilnet | date=26 November 2005 | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref> In 2005, the LTTE released a guide providing instructions and explaining the correct usage of the Tamil Eelam Flag. The guide written in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] specifies the regulations for flying alone or with national flags of other countries, and for general handling of the flag.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tamil-canadians-vote-for-independent-state-in-sri-lanka-1.810846 | title=Tamil-Canadians vote for independent state in Sri Lanka | publisher=CBC News | date=Dec 20, 2009 | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardipus/3329929400/in/set-72157626956188463 Tamil Eelam, Canadian, U.S. flags: Toronto, March 3, 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/AR7_UH3uKrv/Tamil+Protestors+React+Sri+Lanka+Declare+End/aJlUJmCbDC9 in England]</ref> The flag has four colours: yellow, red, black, and white. It is banned in Sri Lanka and is often seen at protests and functions concerning [[Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism|Tamil Eelam nationalism]] around the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/07/uk.tamil.protest/index.html?iref=24hours | title=Tamils protest outside UK parliament | publisher=CNN | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tamil-flags-flown-at-protest-legal-toronto-police-say-1.810137 | title=Tamil flags flown at protest legal, Toronto police say | publisher=CBC news | date=Mar 18, 2009 | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-17922546 | title=Row in Sri Lanka over appearance of Tamil 'rebel' flag | publisher=BBC | date=2 May 2012 | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=17687 | title=Batticaloa students hoist Tamileelam flag in Annai Poopathy event | publisher=Tamilnet | date=6 April 2006 | accessdate=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?203bZ8H220e2nIg34eaUoUka4cadRZJDcddcoONQmdac4mdRube43eFrZ3e023F6Y402 | title=Tamil Eelam flag hoisted in Geelong city, Australia | publisher=Lankasri.com | date=5 February 2013 | access-date=30 July 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811003426/http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?203bZ8H220e2nIg34eaUoUka4cadRZJDcddcoONQmdac4mdRube43eFrZ3e023F6Y402 | archive-date=11 August 2014 }}</ref><br />
<br />
==Symbolic meaning==<br />
{{more citations needed|date=December 2014}}<br />
===Tiger symbol===<br />
<br />
[[File:V8 Supercar, Sydney Telstra 500 Launch @ Martin Place 16.05.09.jpg|thumb|Tamil Eelam supporters in Sydney flying the flag.]]<br />
The jumping tiger was adopted from the emblem of the [[Chola Empire]], it should reflect the martial history (Veera varalaru) and the national upheaval of the [[Tamil people|Tamils]].<ref>Daya Somasundaram (11.02.2014) ''Scarred Communities: Psychosocial Impact of Man-made and Natural Disasters on Sri Lankan Society'', SAGE Publications India, p. 73.</ref> The national flag is the symbol of the independent state of [[Tamil Eelam]] to be created, rooted in the martial traditions (Veera marapuhal) of the Tamils," LTTE organ Viduthalai Puligal said in its February 1991 issue.<br />
<br />
===Crossed bayonets and circle===<br />
<br />
[[Vellupillai Prabhakaran]] himself mentioned in a Tamil interview the circle and crossed bayonets represent the armed resistance and were based on the historical shield with crossed swords flag of [[Pandara Vanniyan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Tamil National Flag|publisher=Youtube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEYc1XuIle4|date=2009-10-31}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> The circle sometimes considered to be a "Uthaya Suriyan" (rising sun) which is a symbol of Sri Lankan Tamils and earlier political movements. The LTTE leader was often compared to [[Pandara Vanniyan]] of Vannimai, because both had a similar fate. [[Pandara Vanniyan]] was a freedom fighter during the British colonial era in Sri Lanka.<ref>Daya Somasundaram (11.02.2014) ''Scarred Communities: Psychosocial Impact of Man-made and Natural Disasters on Sri Lankan Society'', SAGE Publications India, p. 52.</ref><br />
<br />
The use of the flag of Tamil Eelam in public was controversial in other countries, such as Canada, due to the depiction of the bayonets as it was believed it indirectly promoted violence. Supporters of the flag pointed out that the flag of Sri Lanka depicts a lion carrying a sword.<br />
<br />
===33 bullets===<br />
<br />
The bullets symbolise the historical 33 years between [[Independence Day (Sri Lanka)|1948]] - [[Burning of Jaffna library|1981]] (oppression the Tamil population by the Sri Lankan government before the outbreak of [[Sri Lankan Civil War]]).<ref>{{cite book|last=Balachandran|first=P K|title=Madurai artist sketched LTTE logo|publisher=The New Indian Express|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/article56143.ece?service=print|date=2012-05-15}}</ref><br />
<br />
*11 bullets on the left<br />
*11 bullets on the right<br />
*11 bullets at the top<br />
*total: 33 bullets<br />
<br />
===Colours===<br />
[[File:Bicolor flag of Tamil Eelam.svg|thumb|Flag of the Tamil Democrats with the traditional colors of Tamil Eelam]]<br />
Four aspects of ideals and mission of Tamil Eelam represented by the four colours are detailed in the published guide book.<br />
<br />
The yellow signifies that Tamils' aspiration to freely govern themselves in their own homeland is a fundamental political and human right. The colour expresses the righteousness of Tamil struggle and reinforces Tamil Nation's will to uphold moral highground during its path towards freedom.<br />
<br />
The red represents the realisation that freedom is not complete by establishment of a separate state of Tamil Eelam. Distinctions of caste and class should be abolished. Egalitarianism should become their spiritual principle. Gender equality should permeate Tamil society. The revolutionary changes necessary to spread social justice represented by these principles are reflected by this colour.<br />
<br />
The black reminds that march towards freedom is wrought with dangers, death and destruction, that is filled with pain and misery. It signifies determination and resoluteness vital to withstand the adversities and build the new nation of Tamil Eelam, to provide security and to defend the borders.<br />
<br />
The white demands purity, honesty and selflessness from the leaders and citizens of Tamil Eelam.<br />
<br />
==National anthem==<br />
{|align=right<br />
|'''Hymne:''' ''Eruthu Paar Kodi''[[File:Eruthu Paar Kodi.ogg|Eruthu Paar Kodi]]<br />
<br />
|}<br />
Eruthu Paar Kodi (Look the Flag is Rising) is a Tamil song, written by Puthuvai Rathinathurai,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://print2.dailymirror.lk/opinion1/31591.html|title=NATIONAL ANTHEM :FROM "NAMO NAMO" TO "SRI LANKA MATHA"|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727175152/http://print2.dailymirror.lk/opinion1/31591.html|archive-date=27 July 2014}}</ref> sung at the hoisting of the [[Flag of Tamil Eelam]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4386382.stm ''Writers sought for Tamil anthem '']. BBC News. Accessed 21 June 2012.</ref> As the most widely used song of the Tamils, it was used in the place of a national anthem by the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-tigers-hunt-for-catchy-new-anthem/522-13.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715111130/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-tigers-hunt-for-catchy-new-anthem/522-13.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |title=Tamil Tigers hunt for catchy new anthem |work=IBN Live |agency=Reuters |date=Oct 28, 2005 |accessdate= 21 June 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=5023 ''Tamil Eelam's promising display, despite loss to Zanzibar '']. tamilguardian.com . Accessed 22 June 2012.</ref> The song was written during the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref>[http://tamilnationalflag.com/index.php/the-flag ''About the Flag'']. TamilNationalFlag.com . Accessed 22 June 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120853/http://tamilnationalflag.com/index.php/the-flag |date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Lyrics ===<br />
The song praises the flag and describes the pride of Tamil Eelam army<br />
{| width="100%"<br />
|- <br />
!{{lang|ta|ஏறுதுபார் கொடி}} ([[Tamil alphabet|Tamil]])<br />
!ēṟutupār koṭi [[ISO 15919]]<br />
!Translation<br />
|- valign="top"<br />
|<br />
{{lang|ta|<poem>ஏறுதுபார் கொடி ஏறுது பார்<br />
ஏறுதுபார் கொடி ஏறுது பார் – இங்கு<br />
ஏறுதுபார் கொடி ஏறுது பார் – தமிழ்<br />
<br />
ஈழத்தின் வேதனை தீர்த்தகொடி – எட்டுத்<br />
திக்கிலும் மானத்தைச் சேர்த்தகொடி<br />
காலத்தை வென்றுமே நின்றகொடி – புலி<br />
காட்டியபாதையில் சென்ற கொடி<br />
(ஏறுதுபார்)<br />
<br />
செக்க நிறத்திலே வேங்கை நடுவிலே<br />
சீறிடும் கொடியிது – தமிழ்<br />
மக்களைக் காத்த நம்மானமா வீரரை<br />
வாழ்த்திடும் கொடியிது – புலி<br />
வீரத்தின் கொடியிது – மா<br />
வீரனின் கொடியிது (ஏறுதுபார்)<br />
<br />
எத்தனை எத்தனை வேங்கைகள் ரத்தத்தில்<br />
ஏறிய கொடியிது – பெரும்<br />
சத்திய வேள்வியில் செத்தவர் மீதினில்<br />
சாற்றிய கொடியிது – தமிழ்<br />
ஈழத்தின் கொடியிது – புலி<br />
ஏந்திய கொடியிது (ஏறுதுபார்)<br />
<br />
சாதிகள் சண்டைகள் சாய்த்து விழுத்திய<br />
சாதனைக் கொடியிது – சங்கு<br />
ஊதி முழங்கிட ஊர்மனை யாவிலும்<br />
உலவிய கொடியிது – சம<br />
தர்மத்தின் கொடியிது – எங்கள்<br />
தாயவள் கொடியிது – (ஏறுதுபார்)<br />
<br />
ஆயிரமாயிரம் பேரென வேங்கைகள்<br />
ஆக்கிய கொடியிது – பிர<br />
பாகரன் என்றிடும் காவிய நாயகன்<br />
போற்றிடும் கொடியிது – தமிழ்த்<br />
தேசத்தின் கொடியிது – எங்கள்<br />
தேசியக் கொடியிது (ஏறுதுபார்)</poem>}}<br />
|{{transl|ta|<poem><br />
ēṟutupār koṭi ēṟutu pār<br />
ēṟutupār koṭi ēṟutu pār – iṅku<br />
ēṟutupār koṭi ēṟutu pār – tamiḻ<br />
<br />
īḻattiṉ vētaṉai tīrttakoṭi – eṭṭut<br />
tikkilum māṉattaic cērttakoṭi<br />
kālattai veṉṟumē niṉṟakoṭi – puli<br />
kāṭṭiyapātaiyil ceṉṟa koṭi<br />
(ēṟutupār)<br />
<br />
cekka niṟattilē vēṅkai naṭuvilē<br />
cīṟiṭum koṭiyitu – tamiḻ<br />
makkaḷaik kātta nammāṉamā vīrarai<br />
vāḻttiṭum koṭiyitu – puli<br />
vīrattiṉ koṭiyitu – mā<br />
vīraṉiṉ koṭiyitu (ēṟutupār)<br />
<br />
ettaṉai ettaṉai vēṅkaikaḷ rattattil<br />
ēṟiya koṭiyitu – perum<br />
cattiya vēḷviyil ceththavar mītiṉil<br />
cāṟṟiya koṭiyitu – tamiḻ<br />
īḻattiṉ koṭiyitu – puli<br />
ēntiya koṭiyitu (ēṟutupār)<br />
<br />
cātikaḷ caṇṭaikaḷ cāyttu viḻuttiya<br />
cātaṉaik koṭiyitu – caṅku<br />
ūti muḻaṅkiṭa ūrmaṉai yāvilum<br />
ulaviya koṭiyitu – cama<br />
tarmattiṉ koṭiyitu – eṅkaḷ<br />
tāyavaḷ koṭiyitu – (ēṟutupār)<br />
<br />
āyiramāyiram pēreṉa vēṅkaikaḷ<br />
ākkiya koṭiyitu – pira<br />
pākaraṉ eṉṟiṭum kāviya nāyakaṉ<br />
pōṟṟiṭum koṭiyitu – tamiḻt<br />
tēcattiṉ koṭiyitu – eṅkaḷ<br />
tēciyak koṭiyitu (ēṟutupār)<br />
</poem>}}<br />
|Refrain:<br />
See the flag rising, see it rising<br><br />
See the flag rising, see it rising - here<br><br />
See the flag rising, see it rising - Tamil<br><br />
Flag of tears from Eelam - the flag that adds dignity<br><br />
Standing flag that conquers time - the flag that went in the path shown by the tiger<br><br />
The red flag is it - Tamil people adore for strength<br><br />
The flag with the tiger in its centre - for the strength<br><br />
(Refrain)<br><br />
How many veins are in the blood<br><br />
The flag which is climbing - greatly<br><br />
Dead people have been fulfilled<br><br />
Flag of Eelam with a tiger on it - this is<br><br />
(Refrain)<br><br />
The castes fought and dismantled<br><br />
Flag of achievement - and success<br><br />
Blow knees which fell in rain<br><br />
Equal flag of Tamil people<br><br />
(Refrain)<br><br />
The flag of Dharma - our flag of the motherland<br><br />
Thousands of people have fallen - this is their flag<br><br />
Prabhakaran the leader - is an epic forever<br><br />
The flag of the Tamil nation is climbing - our national flag!<br />
|}<br />
<!--[[File:Lyrics Eruthu Paar Kodi.jpg|Lyrics Eruthu Paar Kodi|400px]]--><br />
<br />
==Symbols of Tamil Eelam==<br />
<br />
<gallery caption="Symbols selected By Tamil Tigers for Tamil Eelam" widths="180px" heights="120px" perrow="5"><br />
Image:Slleo1.jpg|National animal [[Sri Lankan Leopard]]<br />
Image:Gloriosa superba 8962.jpg|National flower [[Gloriosa superba]]<br />
Image:Greater Coucal01.jpg|National bird [[Greater coucal]]<br />
Image:Albizia lebbeck (Siris) in Hyderabad W IMG 7167.jpg|National tree [[Albizia lebbeck]]<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Flags of Tamils]]<br />
* [[List of Tamil Nadu state symbols]], for symbols of the state in India<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
<!-- SECTION COMMENTED OUT: THE ONLY LINK IS OUT-OF-DATE<br />
<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [http://www.sibernews.com/the-news/featured-articles/the-national-flag-of-tamil-eelam-200601143389/ Details of the prescribed code of usage of the national flag]<br />
--><br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flag Of Tamil Eelam}}<br />
[[Category:Flags of Asia|Tamil Eelam]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil Eelam]]<br />
[[Category:Obsolete national flags|Tamil Eelam]]<br />
[[Category:Flags of Tamils|Tamil Eelam]]<br />
[[Category:Flags displaying animals|Tamil Eelam]]</div>120.28.65.11