Flags of the Philippine Revolution


During the Philippine Revolution, various flags were used by the Katipunan secret society and its various factions, and later, after the Katipunan had been dissolved, the Philippine Army and its civil government.
Other flags were the personal battle standards of different military zone commanders operating around Manila.

Flags of the Revolution by the 1998 Philippine Centennial

A set of flags used by the Katipunan along with the Philippine national flag was flown at government institutions and building in occasion of the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998. These set are often erroneously said to portray the "Evolution of the Philippine Flag". The Manila Historical Institute and the National Historical Institute has refuted the error saying that the flags excluding the current national flag are more rightfully referred as "Flags of the Revolution". While many of the depicted symbols and layouts on some of the flags have inspired the national flag, there is no direct relationship.

Katipunan flags


Personal flags


First official Filipino flag

Other flags

These are other flags which are not recognized during the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998 but nevertheless still used during the Philippine Revolution
FlagDescriptionUsage
Flag adopted by Katipuneros of the Bicol region. The flag was used in many battles including the Battle of Agdangan. Red banner consisting white triangle with rays of sun extending from the letter "K"Katipuneros of Bicol region
Aniceto Lacson, Juan Araneta and other Negrense revolutionists also used a tricolour flag in 1898. Their standard was inverted, with the red field in the upper part to indicate wartime and solidarity with other revolutionaries. and a sun that resembling a medal.Negros Revolution
Flag used by Macario Sakay for the Tagalog Republic, Red banner with a white sun consisting of 16 rays with Baybayin syllable "ka" at the centerTagalog Republic

Modern usage

A modified version made to look like a Katipunan flag was used by a group of mutineers who were members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This group stylized themselves as the Bagong Katipuneros but labelled the "Magdalo Group" by media. They instigated several failed coup attempts in 2003 Oakwood mutiny and 2007 Manila Peninsula mutiny against the government of the Republic of the Philippines led by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This group mutinied at the behest of Senator Gregorio Honasan and were at both times led by former navy officer Antonio Trillanes IV. However, although called "Magdalo", the flag they used is actually closer to that of the Magdiwang faction of the Katipunan.