The white crescent moon symbolizes Islam, the state religion of the country.

Later, a black and white striped hoist called the Dhandimathi (Dhivehi: ދަނޑިމަތި) was added to the flag.

At the same time, a distinct state flag was made, which had the crescent on a green rectangle.

[4] Instead, Muhammad Fareed Didi created a new flag specifically for the Sultan, with a five-pointed star next to the crescent.

When the Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, the black and white hoist was removed, giving the flag its modern form.