Flag of Pandya

The Flag of Pandya (Tamil: பாண்டியர் கொடி) was used by Pandyan Dynasty consisted of the single fish or twin fish.^[1][2][3] There is no reference or description about the flag. Therefore, any Pandya flags used in media are created for the purpose of illustration. There are flags with double fish or single fish as per archaeological findings and historians's illustration.^[4][5]

The Pandyan twin fish engraved on coin of Uttama Chola.

12th-century Tamil court poet Ottakoothar's verse mentions about Pandya flag while comparing to Chola flag.^[6][7]

“

வெற்றிப் புலிக்கொடிக்கு மீனமோ அம்மானே? - Ottakoothar

”

The verse literally means that "Does fish flag (Pandya flag) could be equal to tiger flag (Chola flag)"?.

Legend

Pandya king Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan I's double fish carp black granite bas-relief in Koneswaram temple – Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

According to legend, Avatar of the Hindu Goddess Meenakshi, who has fish shaped eyes, was born as the daughter of a Pandya king. Pandya emblem was a fish and it represented the dynasty, including in coins, etc. The word Meenakshi (Meen+akshi ) is mixed words of the Tamil word meen (fish) and the Sanskrit word akshi (eyes).^[8]

See also

• Flags of Tamils
• Flag of Chola
• Flag of Pallava

References

1. "Masterpieces in metal". Institute For Oriental Study, Thane. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
2. Nelson, J.H. Political History of the Madura Country. Asian Educational Services.
3. "A flag for the global Tamil community". Truthdive. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
4. Walter Codrington, Hubert. Ceylon Coins and Currency. Asian Educational Services.
5. History & Civics For Vi (Tn). Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
6. "ஒட்டக்கூத்தரும் புகழேந்தியும்". Tamil Wikisource. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
7. "எட்டுத் தொகையும் தமிழர் பண்பாடும்". Tamil Virtual Academy. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
8. "Sri Meenakchi (Parvathi)". Hindu Society of Minnesota. Retrieved 13 May 2014.