What is the meaning of the spoked wheel in the flag of India?
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When India's National flag was adopted in the Constituent Assembly, the then Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explained the meaning of the spoked wheel that featured in the centre of the flag as follows:
"The Ashoka Wheel in the center of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principles of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change; it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change."
This seems a modified version of the ancient concept of wheel, to suit the needs of a newly liberated nation that decided to uphold secularism. However, the wheel as used by Emperor Asoka was related to Buddhism, but throughout the history of Buddhism, the shape of the wheel and its meaning had been changing. One can come across wheels, which are referred as Dharma Chakra (wheel of law of universe), with varying number of spokes. Wheels with four, eight, ten, twelve and twenty-four spokes were used. The early Dharma Wheels are seen with many spokes. It seems at that time number of spoke had no specific meaning and the wheel just represent a chariot wheel which symbolized Buddhist concept of endless cycle of birth and rebirth.
Later versions of Dharma Wheel consist of four or eight spokes and given specific meanings to the spokes. As an example, in the case of eight-spoked wheel, the spokes represent the eightfold path leading to enlightenment. The paths are:
- Right faith,
- Right intention,
- Right speech,
- Right action,
- Right livelihood,
- Right endeavor,
- Right mindfulness, and
- Right meditation.
Why Indian Flag Needed a Wheel
The flag of Indian National Congress that provided the leadership for the independent struggle was similar to the present Indian flag, but it had a spinning wheel at the centre. Spinning wheel was one of the symbols of freedom struggle and was very closer to the heart of Mahatma Gandhi who was regarded as the father of independent India. Originally, it was decided to adopt the same flag as the national flag.
During the discussion in the Constituent Assembly, non-Congress members objected to the proposal to adopt the existing tri-colour flag with the emblem of the spinning wheel, as it was a flag of a particular political party. As a compromise, the tri colour was retained and the spinning wheel was replaced by the 24-spoked wheel. It was reported that Gandhi was not very happy about the decision. 8-spoked wheel also was suggested initially to replace the spinning wheel, but it was not accepted. Probably it was thought the 24-spoked wheel could find more common grounds, with other religious concepts, than 8-spoked wheel.
Wheel and Non-Buddhist Concepts
It is said that the worship of the chakra as representing the supreme ideals underlying the cosmic manifestation on the one hand and of the individual life on the other has been a part of Indian tradition from the most ancient times.
In the Hindu texts too speak about cosmic wheel and the concept of the cycle of birth and rebirth also is not alien to the Hindu philosophy.
Know More about Indian Flag.
- Cultural Politics of the National Flag
There are certain moments in the cultural and political life of a nation when the national flag comes into prominence. In the cultural and political semiotics of nationhood, the National Flag is bound to occupy an increasingly important place. - National Flag in All India Congress Committee (AICC) Web Site
The evolution of the Indian National Flag reflects the political developments in the country during the 20th century. The various political trends, communal tensions, waves of enthusiasm can all be seen in the people’s attitude to the flag. - Dharmacakra - From Wikipedia
The Dharmacakra symbol has the form of a wheel with eight or more spokes (sometimes 24 spokes representing the solar cycle). It is one of the oldest Hindu and Buddhist symbols, found in Indian art from the Vedic time and the time of the Buddhist king - India: Historical Flags
In Anand Bhawan, the home of the Nehru's, in Allahabad, U.P., there is an annex to the main building. On the wall of this annex there is a fairly small information board, telling visitors about the evolution of the Indian national flag
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Excellent stuff and very enlightening. I'd always found the 24 spokes = 24 hours explanation too pat, too modern. This puts it in perspective while leaving some questions open. Thanks for the answer.
A well written article, the basics of the meaning can be found on the Flags of the world site, but the rest of the article was good reading and helped with some of the history of how the flag came about.
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/in.html
The site Flags of the World tends to provide a fairly good explanation to the meanings of all flags that they can find meanings for, and are always ready to listen if you can produce a good source of an alternate meaning.
What a superb article. It gives many details.
Paraglider, you're right. There can't be a modern explanation when something is taken off an ancient symbol.
Great hub!
That is all true, the indian flag is great!
this is the web site about indias flag
explanation about ashoka wheel is fine, but why 24 spokes ? why not 23 or 22 or 35 etc ? please reply to my id gsuraj@eaton.com
Very interesting messages......Jaihind
God Bless India and His People in India.
Jai Swaminarayan
yes, i nhv also this question.why 24 spokes?not 23 or 22.try to give answer of that plz.some hub says safron signifies courage and truth other says earthly contact.some says green is for growth other says, it is for greeneary(every thing depend upon this).which one is right.explain plz.
thanks for sharing this useful information.
this was very helpful thank you
its a flag of proud n we reveal that its not about spokes or colour its about country
ilike me
Pakistani flag has more beautiful explainaition than idia's flag
East or West India is the best....India Rocks.....
why 24 spokes? plz answer
Awesome article! Very well said! :)
Awesome article! Very well said! :)
thank thanks for this usefull information
yo dis is da best website in da freeking world
why 24 spokes? plz answer
The wheel has 24 spokes, representing the 24 hours in a day (at the end of each spoke is a dark blue half-moon). This has been adopted from Ashoka Chakra. Initially Chakraa (spinning wheel) was suggested but changed later because the flag visibility from the other end would be affected if Spinning Wheel is used. Therefore Ashoka chakra was chosen later.
INDIA
THE GREAT
"JAI HINDH"
yes, this artical is great & gave me lot of inputs so im thankful to those who have created this artical.great INDIA.im so proud to be an INDIAN
Very good explanation of the wheel. Thank you.
Tiu india
what is the meaning of each 24 soke in ashoka chakrs
realy its a nice job, bec we search a right means of flage
Very interesting article. I've seen the wheel, but I never really thought about it until your article. Thanks.
I love india thanks for the facts
i think that it has a wheel because the icland have the same flag so they put a wheel in the midle .
Aisi jankari ke liye sukriya
what is the meaning about the 24 spokes of indian flag
Thanks a lot
There is all good about indian flag . Saffron represent to hindu people ,green represent to muslim people but there are nothing which represent sikh people .everyone knows that bhagat singh (sikh) had big hand for thr freedom of india .so, there should be any sign which represents to sikh .this is my point of view but i love india and indian flag
Your web can be improved a great lot.
Please do so.
jstankevicz 4 years ago
Interesting Hub. The top color in the National flag appears to be different hue than that in National Congress flag. Is this just the images, or are the flags different colors as well?