Offering A Peek Into Patriotism

Many flags around the world have a combination of green, red, yellow, white, and blue, due to these colors being well-known representations of revolution, the sun, the ocean, the land, etc, etc, etc. However, the reasons behind these color choices are not as widely discussed. Take a look at this list to learn more.

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1. United States

The famous Star-Spangled Banner was adopted on July 4, 1960. It consists of thirteen alternating red and white stripes, with a blue rectangle containing fifty stars in its canton. Of course, the 50 stars represent the 50 states, while the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that won independence from Great Britain. 

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2. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom flag, also known as the Union Jack, was first adopted on January 1st, 1801. The central red cross represents the cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England. The smaller red lines represent Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The surrounding blue represents the saltire of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

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3. France

Le drapeau national de la France was first adopted on February 15, 1794, and stands as a reminder of the French Revolution. The flag’s red, white, and blue hold multiple symbolisms. Red and blue are Paris’s traditional colors, identifying several patron saints, and the Virgin Mary. The white likely represents the nation as a whole, or could potentially refer to the monarchy.

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4. Canada

Also referred to as the Maple Leaf, this red and white-colored flag was first adopted on February 15, 1965. The maple leaf has been a symbol of the great white north since the 1800s, while red and white were chosen to represent the country’s roots with England and France.

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5. Australia

The Australian flag was adopted on February 11, 1903. While it does feature the Union Jack in its canton. However, the rest of the flag is blue, consisting of five white stars. The largest star is known as the Commonwealth star, which represents the other federating colonies, while the other smaller stars represent the Southern Cross, a southern sky constellation.

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6. South Africa

South Africa first used this flag on April 17, 1994. Its combination of black, green, yellow, white, red, and blue represents a unity in diversity. This flag replaced South Africa’s apartheid-era flag, signaling the desire for reconciliation and democracy.

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7. Nepal

Nepal’s flag is a small, non-rectangular flag that was first adopted on December 16, 1962. The red represents bravery, and the blue represents peace and harmony. The sun and moons represent the hope for Nepal’s longevity, and the dual triangular shapes represent the Himalayas.

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8. Brazil

Brazil’s flag was first adopted on November 19, 1889. The flag has a green background with a yellow rhombus, which represents the country’s previous imperial flag. The centre depicts a starry sky with the country’s national motto, “Ordem e Progresso,” meaning “Order and Progress.”

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9. Greece

Greece’s flag was adopted on December 22, 1978. The well-known blue and white colors represent the sea and sky. The cross in the flag’s canton represents Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and popular interpretation says the flag’s nine horizontal stripes represent the syllables for the phrase Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος— 'Freedom or Death.’

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10. India

Collectively known as the Tiraṅgā, this flag was first adopted on July 22nd, 1947. The flag’s colors, white and green, represent courage and sacrifice, peace and truth, and faith and chivalry, respectively. The blue wheel in the center is the Ashoka Chakra, the eternal wheel of law.

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11. Bahamas

The Bahamas adopted its flag on July 10, 1973, the year the country gained independence. The gold represents the shining sun, the aquamarine represents the water, and the black represents strength, vigor, and force.

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12. Argentina

Argentina adopted its flag on February 27, 1812, and features a beautiful sun in the centre of this blue and white background. The sun represents the Sun of May, a design engraved on the first Argentine coin, while the blue and white represent loyalty to the House of Bourbon.

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13. Cuba

Cuba’s flag features alternating blue and white stripes, with a red triangle and white star. The blue stripes represent Cuba’s divisions, while the white represents purity of patriotism. The red triangle represents strength and constancy, while the star represents independence and freedom.

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14. Jamaica

Jamaica’s flag was adopted on August 6, 1962, the day the country split from the UK. The gold in the flag represents wealth and sunshine, black represents creativity and hardships, while the green represents vegetation and hope. The flag’s cross design is inspired by the flag of Scotland.

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15. China

China’s flag was adopted on September 27, 1949. Its bright red hue represents the Chinese Communist Revolution, while the five red stars represent the unification between the four social classes of the Chinese people under the Chinese Communist Party.

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16. Vietnam

Vietnam’s flag was adopted on November 23, 1940, and is often referred to as the Fatherland flag. The flag’s red background symbolises revolution and bloodshed, while the golden star represents the soul of the nation. The five points on the star represent the five social classes in Vietnamese society.

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17. Ghana

The national flag of Ghana was adopted on March 6, 1957. The tricolored flag consists of red, yellow, and green, with a black star in its centre. The red represents the blood of those who fought for independence, the gold represents the mineral resources found in the area, and the green represents Ghana’s forests and natural wealth. The black star represents the emancipation of Africa and its unity against colonialism.

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18. Bangladesh

Also known as Lal-Sobuj, this slightly off-centre flag was adopted on January 17, 1972. The dark green of the flag represents the lush landscape that Bangladesh has to offer. The red circle represents the rising sun, as well as the sacrifices people made during the Liberation War of 1971.

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19. Germany

Germany’s flag was adopted on July 3, 1919, and it features a tricolor design of black, red, and gold. The flag gets its origins from the 19th-century fight against Napoleon, while its colors represent the dark periods of the country’s history, the fight for freedom, and the bright future and celebration of democracy.

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20. Austria

The Austrian flag was formally adopted on May 1st, 1945, but was in use all the way back in 1230. The legend around this flag stems from Duke Leopold V, who came up with the idea after fighting a very bloody battle. While his coat was soaked in blood, there was an unstained section of white cloth where his belt was situated.

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