The flag of the Qing dynasty was an emblem adopted in the late 19th century (1889) featuring the Azure Dragon on a plain yellow field with the red flaming pearl in the upper left corner.

Since the Ming dynasty, yellow was considered the royal color of successive Chinese emperors.

Members of the imperial family of China at that time were the only ones allowed to display the color yellow in buildings and on garments.

In Chinese culture, a flaming pearl is shown on top of the dragon's head.

In response to protests from the British government that their ships were unable to properly distinguish between Chinese navy ships and civilian vessels, Yixin (Prince Gong) urged Zeng Guofan to create a governmental flag for the Qing, and suggested use of a yellow dragon flag, which was also used as one of the Eight Banners of the Manchu as well as in the Chinese army.

[5] An exception was on 23 February 1873, when the regency of the Tongzhi Emperor ended and he assumed direct rule of the Qing empire.

In September 1881, when the two cruisers Chaoyong and Yangwei ordered from Birkenhead, England were sent to China, Li Hongzhang realized a triangular ensign was unique among naval flags of other countries.

As a result, he petitioned the imperial court for permission and subsequently altered the triangular naval flag into a rectangular one.