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The national flag of Myanmar was adopted on January 3, 1974 upon the declaration of a socialist republic in Burma by Ne Win. The new flag design is not radically different than the previous flag of Myanmar (then Burma) that had a red field with a blue canton in the upper corner on the hoist side. However, the imagery within the canton was changed, to a cog wheel with a bushel of rice superimposed upon it. These symbols are socialist and stand for the workers and farmers. Surrounding this are fourteen five-pointed stars that represent the states of Myanmar. The white color stands for purity, the blue for peace and integrity, and the red for courage.