Modern Tamil flags

Indian Tamils

According to the Encyclopedia of Stateless nations, the unofficial flag of the Indian Tamils (also the Dravidian movement) is a horizontal bicolour of red over black.^[1] This red and black was first used during the Dravidian movement: the red symbolising culture and identity and the black symbolising the downtrodden identity of the Dravidians.

The use of black and red traces its origin to Periyar's visit to Axis countries and Soviet Russia. On his arrival back home, he declared that his party members would wear black shirts whenever and wherever possible as a symbol of the present down-trodden condition of Dravidians.^[2]

Most Dravidian parties use these colours in their party flags.

Lankan Tamils

The Sri Lankan Tamils use a flag that is a mirror version of the Kannada flag, a red field bearing yellow half at the bottom with 11 radiating rays to hoist, top and fly.

Jaffna Royal Family

The erstwhile Jaffna Royal family use a nandi upon a yellow field as their royal standard. This is documented to be the flag of the early Pandyas. The flag also contains a kavigai (parasol), sun and moon (nyayiru and thingal) and a conch (changu) which are symbols of royalty. The word Pandya is derived from the Tamil word "Pandi" meaning bull. Ancient Tamils, considered the bull as a sign of masculinity and valor.^[3]

International Tamils

International Tamils use a flag on a light blue field with a black globe centered on it with a tree within the said globe, and the words "யாதும் ஊரே" in yellow written above the globe and யாவரும் கேளிர்" in yellow written below it. The inscription meaning 'everywhere is home, and all are kindred' is from the Purananuru and embodies Tamil culture of equality and mutual respect

Others

Kongu flag

The State of Burma used the same colours as the Kongunars

The Kongu Nadu people us a green-red-yellow horizontal tricolour as their identity. The state of Burma used the same colours as the Kongunars, and the peacock symbol which is the abode of the Tamil god Murugan, showing Tamil influence on Burma. ^[4]

References

1. ^ Minaham, James (2002). Volume 4 of Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups Around the World. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313323843. 
2. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Hardgrave1; see Help:Cite errors/Cite error references no text
3. ^ The primary classical language of the world By Ñānamuttan̲ Tēvanēyan̲
4. ^ Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute (1929). The Journal of Oriental research: Volume 3. The University of Michigan: Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute.