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The ultimate status of a republic that East Timor was granted in 2002, resulted in the country adopting a new name, a new hymn and even a new flag of East Timor under the rule of FRETILIN. The flag of East Timor is probably the only symbol which has been granted legal status by the constitution of the country whereas all other symbols and emblems of the country are subject to special laws in order to make them legal. Although there were certain doubts regarding the description of the color of the flag in the new constitution of 2002, it was finally decided by the drafting commission to describe the color of the flag of East Timor as 'red' in the Constitution. The colors on the flag of East Timor include red, black and golden-yellow. The meaning of these 3 predominant colors are dealt with separately in the new Constitution.
The golden-yellow color on the flag of East Timor signifies "the traces of colonialism", black denotes "the obscurantism that needs to be overcome" and red is the color of "the struggle for national liberation". The new flag of East Timor was introduced for the first time in the country on the occasion of the celebration of the country's independence on 20th May,2002. The constitution strictly defines the construction of the national flag of East Timor which is supposed to be rectangular in shape and formed of 2 overlapping isosceles triangles, these triangles cover upto half the length of the flag. The emblem that occupies the middle of the black triangle is a five pointed star that signifies the light of enlightenment and growth.
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