Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original post-WWII era Mongolian national flag manufactured in East Germany by the state owned VEB Radebeuler Fahnenfabrik. Measuring approximately 29 x 49 inches, the flag has a quality multi-piece construction with separately joined red and blue fields, stitched edges, a reinforced header for attachment to a flagpole, and an applied panel bearing the Mongolian Soyombo symbol. Its Cold War era East German manufacturer’s control label makes this a particularly interesting example with strong visual and research appeal.

The flag is arranged as a vertical triband with red panels at the hoist and fly surrounding a central blue panel. The Soyombo symbol is positioned on the hoist side red field. The red and blue sections are made from separate pieces of cotton fabric that have been carefully stitched together. The Soyombo is printed or painted on a separate square section of a different material, which is then sewn onto the body of the flag.

The edges are finished with folded and stitched hems. A reinforced header runs along the hoist edge for attachment to a pole or flag line. This is a substantial sewn flag rather than a modern one-piece printed example, giving it excellent depth and visual presence when displayed.

The flag measures approximately:

29 x 49 inches

An especially interesting feature is the original manufacturer’s control label sewn into the header. It reads:

In case of complaints, please send in this
control slip.
801735 Mong. 1079
VEB Radebeuler Fahnenfabrik
8122 Radebeul
III-9-139 IdG 83/76

The wording identifies manufacture by VEB Radebeuler Fahnenfabrik in Radebeul, East Germany. The abbreviation VEB stood for Volkseigener Betrieb, or “Publicly Owned Enterprise,” the designation used for state owned industrial concerns in the German Democratic Republic. The numerical codes most likely relate to the factory’s cataloging, production, quality control, or government approval system, although their precise meanings have not been confirmed.

The reference to: Mong. 1079

appears to identify the flag as the factory’s Mongolian pattern or production designation. The label provides firm evidence that this was an East German manufactured export flag rather than a locally produced Mongolian example.

The national flag of Mongolia uses red and blue fields with the golden Soyombo symbol. The central blue field represents Mongolia’s “eternal blue sky,” while the red fields are associated with progress, prosperity, and endurance. The Soyombo is a complex national emblem incorporating representations of fire, the sun, the moon, earth, water, and paired elements traditionally interpreted as fish or as a yin and yang form.

Within Mongolian symbolism, fish were associated with alertness because they were believed never to close their eyes. Their inclusion represented vigilance and the enduring spirit of the Mongolian people. The vertical forms surrounding the central design have also been interpreted as fortress walls symbolizing unity and strength.

The Soyombo was created during the 17th century as part of a writing system devised by Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu. Over time, the symbol became closely associated with Mongolian independence, national identity, and sovereignty. It appeared on successive Mongolian flags and state emblems throughout the 20th century.

During the Cold War, Mongolia maintained close political and economic ties with the Soviet Union and other members of the Eastern Bloc, including East Germany. The manufacture of a Mongolian national flag by a state owned East German flag factory is consistent with the diplomatic, commercial, and institutional relationships that existed among socialist countries. Such a flag may have been produced for an embassy, government office, international conference, trade organization, cultural event, or other official display, although its specific original use has not been documented.

The flag remains an attractive Cold War era display piece with bold colors, traditional sewn construction, an applied Soyombo panel, reinforced pole header, and its original East German factory control label. Its combination of Mongolian national symbolism and documented German Democratic Republic manufacture would make it an excellent addition to a Mongolian, Cold War, Eastern Bloc, international flag, or communist era political collection.