Province of the ancient Persian empire (now divided between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan) which was partly conquered by Alexander the Great. During the 6th3rd centuries BC it was a centre of eastwest trade and cultural exchange.
Initially the sun and moon had human faces, but they were removed when the flag was updated in 1962. The flag is said to express the hope that Nepal will endure as long as the sun and the moon. The blue border symbolizes peace. Effective date: 16 December 1962.