There are various explanations as to the symbolism of the colors and motif. The red field is said to symbolize the revolution and yellow color of the stars represents China's history. The colors also owe much to the flag of the Soviet Union in 1949.

The larger star denotes the Chinese Communist Party and the four smaller stars four classes of Chinese society united under communism by Mao: peasants, workers, bourgeois, and capitalists with communist sympathies.

The flag was designed by Zeng Liansong, chosen from 3,000 designs submitted after the communists came to power in 1949.

Zeng Liansong's design for the Chinese flag was adopted in September 1949 and first flown in Tiananmen Square on the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October, 1949.

Nowadays the flag can be seen on public buildings, schools and stadiums throughout China