![gay pride flag with triangle gay pride flag with triangle](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/getty/2018/6/2/a1579b13-f21b-4d71-864b-f8dde69f86d6-getty-478857338.jpg)
When you consider the fact that a rainbow is the most universal symbol of a light spectrum that exists in science and in turn, the world -it becomes obvious why this is the ideal symbol for the wide range of forms that love and identity can come in. Pride flags speak to both the fluidity of gender as well the spectrum of sexuality that exists. This is because pride flags represent far more than solely the gay community. The world has adopted the term 'pride flag' as the most acceptable name for it. Over the years it has become more commonplace to consider a more universal term.
![gay pride flag with triangle gay pride flag with triangle](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/1159472815/San-Francisco-Pride-Parade-And-Celebration-2019/0x0.jpg)
The rainbow flag is also known as the pride flag or 'gay flag'. There is an air of hope that the pride flag inspires, with its colors overall representing peace, diversity and positivity in the LGBTQ+ community. A realization of this is a big part of why Baker decided to redesign the symbol, creating the rainbow flag that today flies high in shops, homes, schools and other institutions in a number of countries.
![gay pride flag with triangle gay pride flag with triangle](https://images.foxtv.com/static.ktvu.com/www.ktvu.com/content/uploads/2021/06/932/524/bisexual-flag.jpeg)
Indeed, the pink triangle was previously used as a means for Nazi Germany to identify queer people and in turn torture and kill them. The roots of this symbol are however very eerie and speak to the history of violence that the community faced during the Nazi regime in Germany. Prior to the existence of the rainbow flag, the widely recognized symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community was the Pink Triangle. Today's rainbow flag has six colors, excluding the prior pink and turquoise ones. Baker's original pride flag had eight colors which included pink and turquoise stripes. The flag was created as a symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) and it first flew at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The first rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978.