Flag proportions - 2:3

Description of the Greek flag:

The Greek flag consists of blue and white horizontal stripes the same width, alternating with each other. In the upper left corner of the flag is a white cross on a blue background.

Meaning of the Greek flag:

The nine stripes symbolize the nine syllables of the national motto: the meaning is "Freedom or Death". But there is another theory, which states that the stripes symbolize the nine muses, goddesses of art and civilization. Blue and white colors symbolize the Greek sea and sky combined with white clouds and white foam waves. The white color also represents the purity of the swift struggle for independence and freedom. The cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, which is the national religion of the country.

History of the Greek flag:

The flag was officially adopted on December 22, 1978. The history of the flag dates back to the 19th century, to the Greek war-revolution against the Ottoman Turks. In 1822, for the first time, a flag with nine stripes and a cross in the left upper corner was adopted in Greece. March 25, 1821 declared independence from Ottoman Empire.

For many years the Greek flag was striped with a cross in the upper left corner. However, the shade of blue changed several times.

Flag of Greece popularly called "kiano-lefki", which is translated from Greek as "blue-white". This is a rectangular panel with a proportion of 2 to 3 with alternating stripes: 5 blue and 4 white. The top left corner of the flag features a white cross on a blue background.

The symbolism of the Greek flag is ambiguous, there is no official interpretation of the colors and stripes. Most Greeks believe that blue represents the sea and white sea ​​foam . The colors of the Greek flag have been used in the symbolism of the country since ancient times, including in the army of Alexander the Great. Perhaps the white and blue range is associated with the traditional colors of Bavaria, which was the birthplace of the first king of Greece.

There are also several similar common versions about the meaning of the nine stripes on the flag:

The word "freedom" in the Greek motto "Freedom or Death" is made up of 9 letters;
- the motto "Freedom or death" has 9 syllables;
- in ancient Greek mythology, there were 9 muses who patronized art and science.

The white cross in the upper corner, according to the most popular version, means the Christian religion, which the people of Greece adhere to. The history of the Greek flag began in 1822 when it was adopted by the provisional government. He was white George Cross on a blue background. It was used for about a century and a half, and in 1978 it was supplemented with stripes.

A separate law is dedicated to the use of the Greek flag, according to which it can be flown both on land and at sea. Ordinary citizens of the country can fly the flag only in certain days or during sporting events. You need to hang the banner in such a way that the cross is located on the left.

The coat of arms of Greece is decorated in a similar color scheme, it also uses the image of the George Cross. It is an azure shield with a silver cross, which is often depicted in white on a blue background, as on a flag. The shield is surrounded by a laurel wreath, reminiscent of ancient history Greece. Wreaths woven from laurel branches were awarded to the winners of ancient Olympic Games- today it is a famous symbol of Greece. Officially, the coat of arms is bicolor with a white and blue wreath, for civil use wreath on the coat of arms green color, in the Greek Armed Forces, it is painted in a golden hue.

Modern the coat of arms of Greece was adopted in 1975, but the story of its origin dates back to 1833, when a blue and white cross appeared on the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece. He has repeatedly undergone changes, losing various elements- lions, armed warriors, crowns, until it acquired a modern look.

The flag of Greece had the form of nine alternating stripes of blue and white color. In the upper left corner there is a blue square with a white cross inside.

Greece has been under Turkish rule since the 15th century. The Greeks have long considered the traditional color blue. That is why a special flag was set up for Greek courts in the Ottoman Empire - on a red background, like the Turkish flag, there is a blue stripe. Sometimes there were flags with a white stripe, especially on the island of Crete. The cross was a traditional symbol of the struggle of Orthodox Greeks for liberation from the oppressive power of Muslim Turkey. In the XVIII century, the Greek patriots had flags with a white cross. The nationwide uprising that broke out in 1821 and then continued in 1829, took place under the most diverse banners with the most diverse images of crosses, the phoenix bird, the Virgin and saints. Most often the color of the crosses was blue or red. A red canvas with a white cross became the most common flag of the rebels, starting in 1821. But there were other options, for example, a red cross on a gray or white background. In Greece, red did not gain popularity.

In 1822, the blue flag with a white cross was adopted as the official state flag, and the independence of Greece was proclaimed. There is a legend about the origin of the blue and white flag. The legend says that defending one of the monasteries from the Turks, the rebels raised over it exactly a blue-white banner made from a monastic blue cassock and a white soldier's skirt. The flag of five horizontal white stripes and four black became the state flag in 1832. In 1833, the flag of the 1822 model with a white cross was restored again. In this year, Greece was proclaimed a kingdom. Whether it was a coincidence or not, the colors of the Greek flag coincided with the colors of the Bavarian flag and coat of arms. Under King Otto, the background of the Greek flag became blue.

Representatives of the Danish dynasty began to occupy the throne from 1863. Under them, the color of the Greek flag changed to dark blue. After that, several different flags simultaneously existed in the country. The traditional flag with the cross was the interior flag and featured the royal crown. The outer flag was identical except for the missing crown. As national symbol outside of Greece, a flag of blue and white stripes was used with a blue circle in the center, which featured a white cross. In 1923, the flag with nine stripes became the only one.

During the occupation, the flag of the Greek Liberation Front was a blue canvas with a white cross, in the center of the cross was a red triangle inscribed in a circle. In 1945-1949, Greek patriots fought under the same flag against the British invaders. Returning in 1944, the Greek government in exile used the old flags.

After the dictatorship of the "black colonels" was established in Greece in 1970, a nine-striped flag with a cross in a circle became the national flag. An identical flag, only with a crown in the center, became the state flag. Greece was proclaimed a republic in 1973, but the crown remained on the flag. In 1975, after the overthrow of the regime, the blue flag with a white cross was declared the only flag. Then, in 1978, a nine-striped flag with a cross in the roof was finally adopted.

The Greek flag looks like a rectangle with 5 blue and 4 white stripes that alternate with each other. An equilateral cross is formed on the left side of the flag of blue and white stripes. This version of the flag was adopted in 1978. Previously, the Greek flag looked a little different and had a different meaning.

Flag of Greece: origins

V Ancient Greece There was no national flag, each Greek policy had its own emblem. The similarity of the flag was used only in the army, as well as on ships setting sail.

The imperial colors of that time were considered red and blue. These shades were most often used on the symbols of the imperial dynasty. Only in the 14th century during the period of domination Byzantine Empire the first official flag of the Greek lands appeared. In its symbolism, the St. George cross was used, the image of the emblem of the Paleologs was used.

When a coup took place in Greece, and it fell under the influence of the Ottoman Empire, the banner with George the Victorious on it became the flag. The St. George Cross - as a tribute to history, was preserved there along with the image of the saint.

In 1822, the provisional government of Greece approved a blue and white symbol with a cross on the left. Ten years later, with the onset of the monarchy, the flag was changed again, adding a crown to the canvas.

After the junta of the "black colonels" came to power state symbols began to look like before. The crown was removed from the canvas. In 1978, the main official symbol of the country finally received modern design and has not changed since then.

How do Greeks use their flag?

In Greece, as in any country, they are proud of their state symbols. There is a law governing the use of the flag in ordinary life. This legislative act contains the following postulates:

• The flag is used on a permanent basis over all state and educational institutions;
• During the period of mourning, the flag is slightly lowered;
• Citizens can use official symbols on strictly defined days;
• For desecration of the official symbol, administrative and criminal liability is provided;
• The flag is used during major sporting events.

Law number 851 clearly regulates the algorithm of all manipulations allowed with the state flag.

It's important to know! " The Greek flag cannot be used as a logo, hung on the facade of private houses, covered with sculptures and other objects, used for commercial purposes».

If the use of the flag is specifically regulated, then its symbolism raises many questions.

What do the colors of the main symbol mean?

There are two versions explaining the choice of 9 stripes on the flag. According to one of them, the number "9" symbolizes the letters in Greek word"Liberty". According to another, this number means the number of syllables in the revolutionary slogan "freedom or death."

The sea and its beauty are inextricably linked with Greece. Therefore, the blue color was chosen for the flag, as a reference to the maritime culture of the country. White was attributed to the foam that the waves create near the shore.

Herodotus argued that the blue-white combination is the unity of the Greek people and its unity with the help of language. This figure also put forward the version that the blue color here refers to the noble blood of the Greeks. After all, many of them consider themselves the true descendants of the Gods of the Greek Olympus.

The flag of Greece today is known all over the world, its image was unanimously adopted by the Greeks, and, as before, remains important and significant for them. The Greek official symbol, as before, is used on land and at sea. It is hung out at consulates in other countries, but is not sold as a souvenir, as a legal product.