Difference between revisions of "Flag of Greece"
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| − | [[Image:Greece_flag_large.png|thumb| | + | [[Image:Greece_flag_large.png|thumb|200px|Current national flag since 1978]] |
| + | [[Image:Greece_flag_1828.png|thumb|150px|Old flag (1828-1978)]] | ||
| + | The '''Flag of [[Greece]]''' is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolises [[Greek Orthodox]]y, the established religion of the country. The nine stripes represent, according to a theory, the nine syllables of the phrase "'''Έλευθερία ή Θάνατος'''" ("[[Freedom or Death]]", "'' E-lef-the-ri-a i Tha-na-tos''"), the five blue stripes for the syllables "Έλευθερία" and the four white stripes "ή Θάνατος". There is also a different theory, that the nine stripes symbolize the nine [[Muses]], the goddesses of art and civilisation. The official flag ratio is 2:3. | ||
| − | [[ | + | The color scheme of blue and white was first used in the [[1820s]] and symbolises the colours of the famed Greek sky and sea (combined with the white clouds and waves). But the current form was not adopted as the national flag until [[December 22]],[[1978]]. Previously, in darker blue, it was only used at sea; the national flag was a simple white cross on a blue background. |
| − | The | + | The national flag has been modified several times since then, mainly as a result of regime changes, without being radically altered. In [[1833]] the Bavarian coat of arms was added to the flags of the army and the navy and remained until the overthrow of [[King Otto]] in October of [[1862]]. With the arrival of [[King George I]] in [[1863]] the crown was introduced into the flags of the above forces and remained there until the regime change in [[1924]]. |
| + | |||
| + | The Greek flag is honored [[October 27]], one day before [[OXI Day]]. | ||
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[[Category:Cultural Icons]] | [[Category:Cultural Icons]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Greece]] | ||
[[el:Σημαία της Ελλάδας]] | [[el:Σημαία της Ελλάδας]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:33, May 16, 2008
The Flag of Greece is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolises Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country. The nine stripes represent, according to a theory, the nine syllables of the phrase "Έλευθερία ή Θάνατος" ("Freedom or Death", " E-lef-the-ri-a i Tha-na-tos"), the five blue stripes for the syllables "Έλευθερία" and the four white stripes "ή Θάνατος". There is also a different theory, that the nine stripes symbolize the nine Muses, the goddesses of art and civilisation. The official flag ratio is 2:3.
The color scheme of blue and white was first used in the 1820s and symbolises the colours of the famed Greek sky and sea (combined with the white clouds and waves). But the current form was not adopted as the national flag until December 22,1978. Previously, in darker blue, it was only used at sea; the national flag was a simple white cross on a blue background.
The national flag has been modified several times since then, mainly as a result of regime changes, without being radically altered. In 1833 the Bavarian coat of arms was added to the flags of the army and the navy and remained until the overthrow of King Otto in October of 1862. With the arrival of King George I in 1863 the crown was introduced into the flags of the above forces and remained there until the regime change in 1924.
The Greek flag is honored October 27, one day before OXI Day.