[2] Upon the adoption of the flag on 21 October 1958, Barinia Tsara of the Bureau of the Constituent National Assembly gave the following significance to its colours: "White is purity; red is sovereignty.

Red was a symbol of the country's historical monarchies and is the colour of the clay bricks used to construct most Malagasy houses.

[4] In 1958, the colonial broadcaster Radio Tananarive issued a call for designs for a national flag, in preparation for Madagascar's impending independence.

The submissions were narrowed down to five proposals deemed most relevant to Madagascar, which were then presented by hostesses on a podium in front of the delegates.

The second design by Andrianome Ranaivosoa, an agent of the Malagasy National Geographical Institute, was ultimately chosen by the delegates.

[8] From then on, it was regular practice for the rulers of Imerina to put their name and title in red lettering on a white or white-and-red flag.