Karen tribe (Myanmar)

Republic of Kawthoolei

Last modified: 2026-02-21 by zachary harden
Keywords: karen | myanmar | burma |
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image by Zachary Harden, 05 February 2025

• Karen people
• Karen National Union
• Youth Organization

See also:

• Myanmar
• Myanmar: Index of all pages
• Myanmar tribes and peoples

Karen People

image by Zachary Harden, 05 February 2025

The national flag of Karen (Republic of Kawthoolei) according Franciae Vexilla #20/66, December 2000, by J. Renault & H. Calvarin. (source)
Jaume Ollé, 25 January 2001

Updated estimates give the population of the Karen people between 3 to 6 million and have residences (besides Myanmar) in Thailand, the United States and Canada.
Zachary Harden, 22 January 2025

Karen National Union

image by Zachary Harden, 05 February 2025

The Karen national flag consists of three main colors: red, blue, and white. On the top left corner is the traditional Karen frog drum to symbolize unity in traditional Karen culture. It is called the frog drum because it is covered with frog skin. The three colors denote a certain meaning; red is for bravery, white for purity/sincerity, and blue for honesty. The nine rays of light streaming from the rising sun indicate the nine regions from which Karen people trace their origins. (Source: Karen Organization of Minnesota)

Youth Organization

There is a youth faction of the party called the Karen Youth Organization. Their flag can be seen here and here.
Zachary Harden, 22 January 2025