1.
the Hinomaru; the Japanese national flag
The national flag of Japan, featuring a red circle on a white background. The red circle represents the sun.
日の丸が風に揺れている。
The Hinomaru is swaying in the wind.
オリンピックで日の丸が掲げられた。
The Hinomaru was raised at the Olympics.
日の丸の白と赤は日本を象徴する色だ。
The white and red of the Hinomaru are colors that symbolize Japan.
日の丸 is the common everyday name for Japan's national flag, a red disc on a white background representing the sun. The name literally means "circle of the sun" — from 日 (sun) + の + 丸 (circle).
FORMAL NAME:
The official name is 日章旗 (Flag of the Sun). 日の丸 is the informal name used in daily conversation.
CULTURAL NOTE:
The Hinomaru has been used as a symbol of Japan for centuries. It was officially designated as the national flag in 1999 by the Act on National Flag and Anthem.