The atmosphere of George Town Penang is characterized by the historic meeting of influences from Europe and Asia. This multicultural heritage is particularly visible in the use of a wide range of architectonic colours which are truly surprising when you go around the city.

The reference to row shop houses, typical of George Town, especially demonstrates this joyful multicoloured townscape. This present proposal to mark the UNESCO status aims thus at symbolizing the multicultural heritage by a multicoloured striped pattern, which comes directly from the current colours and row architecture existing in the city.