Nationalist symbols in countries outside Europe emerged from anti-imperial movements that developed in colonised regions during the nineteenth century. These countries, which had been colonised by European powers, began to oppose imperial domination through nationalist struggles.

Unlike European nationalism, which developed within the context of replacing multi-national dynastic empires with nation-states, non-European nationalism was forged in confrontation with imperialism. The symbols, pictures, posters, and music from these regions reflected this struggle for independence and collective national unity against colonial rulers.

A key difference is that European ideas of nationalism were nowhere replicated outside Europe. While European nationalism focused on creating common identity through shared history and descent within existing territories, non-European nationalism developed specific varieties unique to each region's experience of colonisation and resistance.

However, both shared one similarity: the idea that societies should be organised into 'nation-states' came to be accepted as natural and universal. The anti-imperial movements everywhere struggled to form independent nation-states and were inspired by a sense of collective national unity, making their nationalist symbols powerful representations of freedom from colonial rule.