The current national flag was designed when the monarchy was abolished in 1975. Although there is no official explanation of the national flag's design, it is said that red represents blood shed for freedom and independence, blue represents national land and the Mecon River, and white is an image of the full moon and represents the unity of the people or the unification under the Communist government. The star is often used in Communist regimes, but it is rare that the moon is used instead.