Karava of Sri Lanka
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The ancestral flag of the Karava Mihindukulasuriya clan from Chilaw
The ancestral flag of the Karava Arasakularatne clan from Maggona
The ancestral White Elephant flag of the Karavas
A 17th century Elephant and cross flag of the Karavas
A Centuries old Makara flag of the Karava community.
A 19th century representation of the Karava Makara Flag.
The Makara is a traditional symbol used by the karavs. The image of the mythical creature Makara is extensively used in ancient Sri Lankan royal architecture. This flag is one of the main flags still used by the Karavas at their family ceremonies.
The Mukkara Hatana, an ola leaf manuscript now in the British Museum states that King Parakramabahu IV of Kotte sanctioned the use of this flag by the Karavas. See royal symbols.
The Elephant and cross flag of the Karavas
A modern rendition of the flag from defonseka,com
This Portuguese period Karava flag attempts to combine the Cross with the traditional royal symbols of the Karava including Indra the god of the Kshatriyas – the god of War and Weather, also the chief deity - King of the gods - in Indian mythology.
The location of the Kuru kingdom of the Kauravas in ancient India
Queen Maha Patabendige Dona Catherina, the sole heiress of Sri Lanka
The funeral procesion,23rd August 1612 of prince Mahasthana, son of Maha Patabendige Dona Catherina,
(Illustrations from Baldaeus 1672). Note the use of flags and other insignia as done by the Karavas todate. See Karava Kings for detailsThe flag of the Karava ‘Thakura Arta-deva Adithya’ clan (right) from 20th century impressions of Ceylon. The colors of the stripes are blue, gold, red , white and purple. Colonel Olcott’s design for the Buddhist flag (left) was based on this flag
A Patangatim’s wife’s tombstone dated November 1691 from St. Thomas Church, Jinthupitiya, Sri Lanka . (Click image to enlarge)
An ancient Karava flag with symbols very similar to those on the Karava tombstone on the left
The tombstone and the flag both bear several Karava insignia: Pearl umbrella, Palm tree, caparisoned Elephant and Fish symbol . See Karava Kings for details on Patangatims and royal symbols for the symbolism of the objects.
The ancestral flag of the Karava community
A modern rendition of the flag
This is one of the many ancient flags of the Karava community of Sri Lanka. It displays many of the traditional royal symbols of the Karavas. See royal symbols. This flag is sometimes called the 'Maha kodiya'.
The elephant and rider could represent Indra the god of the Kshatriyas – the god of War and Weather, also the chief deity - King of the gods - in Indian mythology.
The threadbare condition in which the three Kandyan flags were found at Chelsea hospital in the 1940s
A Lion flag carved over the entrance to Burns Philp & Co built in 1901 by two Scotsmen.illustrates how lion flags were commonly used by Europeans.
Bishop Edmund Pieris who had also seen them says that they were covered with dust and soot and the figures were barely discernible. All these flags had been bundled together and deposited in a dungeon during World war II and were subsequently destroyed as they were beyond repair. (Click for larger image. See’ Lion myth’ for more information)
