The
national flag
A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a given nation. It is flown by the government of that nation, but usually can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanings for its colours a ...
of
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
, popularly referred to as the "blue and white one" ( el, Γαλανόλευκη, ) or the "sky blue and white" (, ), is officially recognised by Greece as one of its
national symbols and has nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue canton in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolises
Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism.
Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or " canonical ...
. The
blazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The ...
of the flag is Azure, four bars Argent; on a canton of the field a Greek cross throughout of the second. The official flag ratio is 2:3.
[''The Flag'', from the site of the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic]
/ref> The shade of blue used in the flag has varied throughout its history, from light blue to dark blue, the latter being increasingly used since the late 1960s. It was officially adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus
The First National Assembly of Epidaurus (, 1821–1822) was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.
History
The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada (t ...
on 13 January 1822.
The nine stripes do not have any official meaning; the most popular theory says that they represent the syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds typically made up of a syllable nucleus (most often a vowel) with optional initial and final margins (typically, consonants). Syllables are often considered the phonological ...
s of the phrase ("Freedom or Death"), the five blue stripes for the syllables and the four white stripes .[Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra]
Η καθιέρωση της ελληνικής σημαίας ("The adoption of the Greek flag")
Hellenic Army General Staff, 2003. The nine stripes is also said to represent the letters of the word "freedom" ( el, ελευθερία, links=no).
White and blue symbolise the colours of the Greek sky and sea.
Historical background
The origins of today's national flag with its cross-and-stripe pattern are a matter of debate. Every part of it, including the blue and white colors, the cross, as well as the stripe arrangement can be connected to very old historical elements; however, it is difficult to establish "continuity", especially as there is no record of the exact reasoning behind its official adoption in early 1822.
It has been suggested by historians that the current flag derived from an older design, the virtually identical flag of the powerful Cretan
Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, ...
Kallergis family. This flag was based on their coat of arms, whose pattern is supposed to be derived from the standards of their claimed ancestor, Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas (963–969 AD). This pattern (according to not easily verifiable descriptions) included nine stripes of alternating blue and white, as well as a cross, assumed to be placed on the upper left.[N. Zapheiriou, ''Η Ελληνική Σημαία από τους αρχαίους χρόνους μέχρι σήμερα (The Greek Flag from Antiquity to Present)'', Eleftheri Skepsis, Athens 1995 (reprint of original 1947 publication) .] Although the use of alternating blue and white - or silver - stripes on (several centuries-old) Kallergis' coats of arms is well documented, no depiction of the above described pattern (with the nine stripes and the cross) survives.
Antiquity and the Byzantine Empire
Flags as they are known today did not exist in antiquity. Instead, a variety of emblems and symbols (, ; , ) were used to denote each state and were for example painted on the hoplite shields. The closest analogue to a modern flag were the -like banners used by ancient Greek armies, such as the so-called , a cloth of deep red, suspended from the top of a staff or spear. It is not known to have carried any device or decoration though.
The Byzantines, like the Romans before them, used a variety of flags and banners, primarily to denote different military units. These were generally square or rectangular, with a number of streamers attached. Most prominent among the early Byzantine flags was the . In the surviving pictorial sources of the middle and later Empire, primarily the illustrated Skylitzes Chronicle, the predominating colours are red and blue in horizontal stripes, with a cross often placed in the centre of the flag. Other common symbols, prominently featuring on seals
Seals may refer to:
* Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly:
** Earless seal, or "true seal"
** Fur seal
* Seal (emblem), a device to impress an emblem, used as a means of a ...
, were depictions of Christ
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label= Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and relig ...
, the Virgin Mary
Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...
and saints, but these represent personal rather than family or state symbols. Western European-style heraldry
Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known bran ...
was largely unknown until the last centuries of the Empire.
There is no mention of any "state" flag until the mid-14th century, when a Spanish atlas, the '' Conosçimiento de todos los reynos'' depicts the flag of "the Empire of Constantinople" combining the red-on-white Cross of St George with the "tetragrammatic cross" of the ruling house of the Palaiologoi, featuring the four beta
Beta (, ; uppercase , lowercase , or cursive ; grc, βῆτα, bē̂ta or ell, βήτα, víta) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of 2. In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiod ...
s or ''pyrekvola'' ("fire-steels") on the flag quarters representing the imperial motto ("King of Kings Reigning over those who Rule").[Byzantine Heraldry, from ''Heraldica.org'']
/ref> The tetragrammatic cross flag, as it appears in quarters II and III in this design, is well documented. In the same Spanish atlas this "plain" tetragrammatic cross flag i
(among other places in the Empire) "the Flag of Salonika
Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, and the capital of the geographic region of ...
" and "the real Greece and Empire of the Greeks (la vera Grecia e el imperio de los griegos)". The (quartered) arrangement that includes the Cross of St. George is documented only in the Spanish atlas, and most probably combines the arms of Genoa (which had occupied Galata) with those of the Byzantine Empire, and was most probably flown only in Constantinople.[L. S. Skartsis, ]
Origin and Evolution of the Greek Flag
', Athens 2017 . Pseudo-Kodinos records the use of the "tetragrammatic cross" on the banner (''phlamoulon'') borne by imperial naval vessels, while the '' megas doux'' displayed an image of the emperor on horseback.
Ottoman period
During the Ottoman rule several unofficial flags were used by Greeks, usually employing the Byzantine double-headed eagle
In heraldry and vexillology, the double-headed eagle (or double-eagle) is a charge associated with the concept of Empire. Most modern uses of the symbol are directly or indirectly associated with its use by the late Byzantine Empire, origi ...
(see below), the cross, depictions of saints and various mottoes. The Christian Greek sipahi cavalry employed by the Ottoman Sultan were allowed to use their own, clearly Christian flag, when within Epirus and the Peloponnese
The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmus of Corinth land bridge which ...
. It featured the classic blue cross on a white field with the picture of St. George slaying the dragon, and was used from 1431 until 1639, when this privilege was greatly limited by the Sultan. Similar flags were used by other local leaders. The closest to a Greek "national" flag during Ottoman rule was the so-called "Graeco-Ottoman flag" (), a civil ensign Greek Orthodox merchants (better: merchants from the Greek-dominated Orthodox ''millet
Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets a ...
'') were allowed to fly on their ships, combining stripes with red (for the Ottoman Empire) and blue (for Orthodoxy) colours. After the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, Greek-owned merchant ships could also fly the Russian flag.
During the uprising of 1769 the historic blue cross on white field was used again by key military leaders who used it all the way to the revolution of 1821. It became the most popular Revolution flag, and it was argued that it should become the national flag. The "reverse" arrangement, white cross on a blue field, also appeared as Greek flag during the uprisings. This design had apparently been used earlier as well, as a local symbol (a similar 16th or 17th century flag has bee
found
near Chania).
A military leader, Yiannis Stathas, used a flag with white cross on blue on his ship since 1800. The first flag featuring the design eventually adopted was created and hoisted in the Evangelistria monastery in Skiathos in 1807. Several prominent military leaders (including Theodoros Kolokotronis
Theodoros Kolokotronis ( el, Θεόδωρος Κολοκοτρώνης; 3 April 1770 – 4 February 1843) was a Greek general and the pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the Ottoman Empire. Kolokotronis's g ...
and Andreas Miaoulis
Andreas Vokos, better known by his nickname Miaoulis ( el, Ανδρέας Βώκος Μιαούλης; 1765 – 24 June 1835), was a Greek revolutionary, admiral, and politician who commanded Greek naval forces during the Greek War of Indepe ...
) had gathered there for consultation concerning an uprising, and they were sworn to this flag by the local bishop.
Spachides Flag.svg, Flag used by the Greek sipahis of the Ottoman army between 1431 and 1619
Roman (Orthodox Christian) Merchant Flag 1453-1793.svg, Civil ensign for merchant ships owned by Ottoman subjects belonging to the Greek Orthodox ('' Rum'') ''millet
Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets a ...
''
Flag of the Principality of Samos (1834–1912).svg, Civil flag and ensign of the Principality of Samos (1835–1912)
Flag of the Septinsular Republic.svg, Flag of the Septinsular Republic (1800–1807), the first autonomous modern Greek state
Flag of Cretan State.svg, National flag and ensign of the Cretan State
Flag of the Free State of Ikaria.svg, Flag of the Free State of Icaria
War of Independence
Rigas Feraios flag manuscript.png, Proposed flag of Greece as drawn by Rigas Feraios in his manuscripts.
Epanastasi.jpg, Bishop Germanos of Patras
Germanos III of Old Patras ( el, Παλαιών Πατρών Γερμανός Γʹ; 1771–1826), born Georgios Gotzias, was an Orthodox Metropolitan of Patras. He played an important role in the Greek Revolution of 1821, having diplomatic and ...
blessing the flag of the Greek revolutionaries at the Monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer whic ...
of Agia Lavra
Agia Lavra ("Holy Lavra") is a monastery near Kalavryta, Achaea, Greece. It was built in 961 AD, on Chelmos Mountain, at an altitude of 961 meters, and can be described as the symbolic birthplace of modern Greece. It stands as one of the oldest m ...
, part of a popular legend regarding the start of the revolution of 1821, although it never actually happened.
Greek Independence 1821.svg, Very widespread flag used by all the revolutionaries from 1769 to the early stages of the War of Independence
Revolutionary flags
Prior and during the early days of the Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...
(1821–1829), a large variety of flags was designed, proposed and used by various Greek intellectuals in Western Europe, local leaders, chieftains and regional councils. Aside from the cross, many of these flags featured saints, the phoenix (symbolising the rebirth of the Greek nation), mottoes such as "Freedom or Death" () or the fasces
Fasces ( ; ; a '' plurale tantum'', from the Latin word '' fascis'', meaning "bundle"; it, fascio littorio) is a bound bundle of wooden rods, sometimes including an axe (occasionally two axes) with its blade emerging. The fasces is an Italian sym ...
-like emblems of the ''Philiki Etaireia
Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends ( el, Φιλικὴ Ἑταιρεία ''or'' ) was a secret organization founded in 1814 in Odessa, whose purpose was to overthrow the Ottoman rule of Greece and establish an independent Greek state. (''retr ...
'', the secret society that organised the uprising.
File:Flag of Rigas Feraios.svg, The flag of Greece, as proposed by Rigas Feraios in 1797
YpsilantisFlag.svg, Flag of the Sacred Band with phoenix and motto "from my ashes I'm reborn"
Alexander_Ypsilantis_flag_(obverse).svg, Flag of Alexander Ypsilantis
Areios Pagos Anatolikis Ellados.svg, Flag of the Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece
Andreas Lontos Flag (Revolution1821).svg, The flag of Andreas Londos
File:Flag of Korkondeilas Kladas.svg, The flag of Krokodeilos Kladas
Filiki Eteria flag.svg, Flag of the Filiki Eteria with initials of the motto "Freedom or Death"
Greek flag (black cross).svg, Flag of the Greeks of Thrace
Thrace (; el, Θράκη, Thráki; bg, Тракия, Trakiya; tr, Trakya) or Thrake is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe, now split among Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, which is bounded by the Balkan Mountains to ...
Mani Flag (Greece).svg, Flag of the Maniots
Thessalia-flag.jpg, Used in Thessaly, created by Anthimos Gazis
Anthimos Gazis or Gazes ( gr, Ἄνθιμος Γαζῆς, born ''Anastasios Gazalis'', ; 1758 24 June 1828) was a Greek scholar, revolutionary and politician. He was born in Milies (Thessaly) in Ottoman Greece in 1758 into a family of modest me ...
Hydraflag.gif, Flag of Hydra island
1821_Flag_of_Spetses.svg, Flag of Spetses
Spetses ( el, Σπέτσες, grc, Πιτυούσσα "Pityussa", Arvanitika: Πετσε̱) is an upscale affluent island in Attica, Greece. It is included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolis ...
island
File:Flag of Kastellorizo.svg, Flag of Kastellorizo island
Halkidiki flag (1821).svg, Flag of Chalkidiki
Athanasios Diakos 1821.svg, Flag of Athanasios Diakos
File:Flag of the Administration of Samos.svg, Flag of the Military-Political System of Samos
Adoption
Because the European monarchies, allied in the so-called " Concert of Europe", were suspicious towards national or social revolutionary movements such as the ''Etaireia'', the First Greek National Assembly, convening in January 1822, took steps to disassociate itself from the ''Etaireia''s legacy and portray nascent Greece as a "conventional", ordered nation-state. As such not only were the regional councils abolished in favour of a central administration, but it was decided to abolish all revolutionary flags and adopt a universal national flag. The reasons why the particular arrangement (white cross on blue) was selected, instead of the more popular blue cross on a white field, remain unknown.
On 15 March 1822, the Provisional Government, by Decree Nr. 540, laid down the exact pattern: white cross on blue (plain) for the land flag; nine alternate-coloured stripes with the white cross on a blue field in the canton for the naval ensign; and blue with a blue cross on a white field in the canton for the civil ensign (merchant flag). On 30 June 1828, by decree of the Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias, the civil ensign was discontinued, and the cross-and-stripes naval ensign became the national ensign, worn by both naval and merchant ships. This design became immediately very popular with Greeks and in practice was often used simultaneously with the national (plain cross) flag.
On 7 February 1828 the Greek flag was internationally recognised for the first time by receiving an official salutation from British, French, and Russian forces in Nafplio
Nafplio ( ell, Ναύπλιο) is a coastal city located in the Peloponnese in Greece and it is the capital of the regional unit of Argolis and an important touristic destination. Founded in antiquity, the city became an important seaport in th ...
, then the capital of Greece.
Flag of Greece (1828-1978).svg, Greek flag on land, 1822–1969 and 1975–78 as adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus
The First National Assembly of Epidaurus (, 1821–1822) was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.
History
The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada (t ...
Flag of Greece.svg, National flag for use abroad and as the civil ensign. Since 1978 the sole national flag of Greece
Greek merchant navy flag.svg, Civil ensign used from 1822 to 1828
Historical evolution
After the establishment of the Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece ( grc, label= Greek, Βασίλειον τῆς Ἑλλάδος ) was established in 1832 and was the successor state to the First Hellenic Republic. It was internationally recognised by the Treaty of Constantinople, wh ...
in 1832, the new king, Otto, added the royal Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in its ...
(a shield in his ancestral Bavarian pattern
German-suited playing cards are a very common style of traditional playing card used in many parts of Central Europe characterised by 32- or 36-card packs with the suits of Acorns (''Eichel'' or ''Kreuz''), Leaves (''Grün'', ''Blatt'', ''Lau ...
topped by a crown) in the centre of the cross for military flags (both land and sea versions).[ The decree dated 4 (16) April 1833 provided for various maritime flags such as the war flag or naval ensign (set at 18:25), pennant, royal standard (set at 7:10) and civil ensign (i.e. the naval ensign without coat of arms). A royal decree dated 28 August 1858 provided for details on the construction and dimensions concerning the flags described in the 1833 decree and other flags. After Otto's abdication in 1862, the royal coat of arms was removed.
In 1863, the 17-year old Danish prince William was selected as Greece's new king, taking on the name George I. A royal decree dated 28 December 1863 introduced crowns into the various flags in place of the coat of arms. Similar arrangements were made for the royal flags, which featured the coat of arms of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg on a square version of the national flag. A square version of the land flag with St. George in the centre was adopted on 9 April 1864 as the ]Army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
's colours
Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physical specifications of color are associa ...
. The exact shape and usage of the flags was determined by Royal Decree on 26 September 1867. By a new Royal Decree, on 31 May 1914, the various flags of Greece and its military were further regulated. By this decree, the flag with the crown was adopted for use as a state flag by ministries, embassies and civil services, while the sea flag (without the crown) was allowed for use by private citizens.
On 25 March 1924, with the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic
The Second Hellenic Republic is a modern historiographical term used to refer to the Greek state during a period of republican governance between 1924 and 1935. To its contemporaries it was known officially as the Hellenic Republic ( el, Ἑλ� ...
, the crowns were removed from all flags. On 20 February 1930, the national flag's proportions were established at a 2:3 ratio, with the arms of the cross being "one fifth of the flag's width". The land version of the national flag was to be used by ministries, embassies, and in general by all civil and military services, while the sea flag was to be used by naval and merchant vessels, consulates and private citizens. On 10 October 1935, Georgios Kondylis declared that the monarchy had been restored. By decree of 7 November 1935, the 31 May 1914 decree was restored.[ΦΕΚ 541/1935, dated 12.11.1935, page 2656](_blank)
/ref> Thereby, the crown was restored on the various flags. In 1969, the sea flag was established as the sole national flag, using a very dark shade of blue, and on 18 August 1970, the flag ratio was changed to 7:12. Flags flying in ministries, embassies and public buildings had the crown in the centre of the cross until the official abolition of the monarchy on 1 June 1973.
After the restoration of democracy Law 48/1975 and Presidential Decree 515/1975, which entered into effect on 7 June 1975 reversed the situation and designated the former "land flag" as the sole flage of Greece, to be used even at sea. The situation was once again reversed in 1978, when the sea flag once again became the sole flag of Greece.
Naval Ensign of Greece (1833-1858).svg, Naval ensign (1833–1858)
Proportions: 18:25
Naval Ensign of Greece (1858-1862).svg, Naval ensign (1858–1862)
Proportions: 2:3
Kingdom of Greece Flag.svg, State flag (1863–1924 and 1935–73)
Naval_Ensign_of_Greece_(1863-1924_and_1935-1970).svg, Naval ensign (1863–1924 and 1935–73)
Flag of Greece (1970-1975).svg, National flag (1970–1975) adopted by the Greek military junta
Proportions: 7:12
Theories regarding the blue and white colours
200px, It is widely believed that the colours of the Greek flag come from the blue of the sky and the white of the waves.
Several Greek researchers[V. Tzouras, ''Η Ελληνική Σημαία, Μελέτη Πρωτότυπος Ιστορική (The Greek Flag, Original Historic Study)'', A. Lantzas, Kerkyra 1909][E. Kokkoni and G. Tsiveriotis, ''Ελληνικές Σημαίες, Σήματα-Εμβλήματα (Greek Flags, Signs and Emblems)'', Athens 1997 ] have attempted to establish a continuity of usage and significance of the blue and white colours, throughout Greek history.
Usages cited include the pattern of blue and white formations included on the shield of Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles ( ) or Achilleus ( grc-gre, Ἀχιλλεύς) was a hero of the Trojan War, the greatest of all the Greek warriors, and the central character of Homer's '' Iliad''. He was the son of the Nereid Thetis and Pe ...
, the apparent connection of blue with goddess Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of v ...
, some of Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon ( grc, Ἀλέξανδρος, Alexandros; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to ...
's army banners, possible blue and white flags used during Byzantine
The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...
times, supposed coats of arms of imperial dynasties and noble families, uniforms, emperors' clothes, patriarchs' thrones etc., 15th century versions of the Byzantine Imperial Emblems and, of course, cases of usage during the Ottoman rule and the Greek revolution.
On the other hand, the Great Greek Encyclopedia notes in its 1934 entry on the Greek flag that "very many things have been said for the causes which lead to this specification for the Greek flag, but without historical merit".
Current flag of Greece
The flag as used on parade
In 1978, the sea flag was adopted as the sole national flag, with a 2:3 ratio. The flag is used on both land and sea is also the war and civil ensign, replacing all other designs surviving until that time. No other designs and badges can be shown on the flag. To date, no specification of the exact shade of the blue colour of the flag has been issued. Consequently, in practice hues may vary from very light to very dark. The Greek Flag Day is on 27 October.
The old land flag is still flown at the Old Parliament building in Athens, site of the National Historical Museum, and can still be seen displayed unofficially by private citizens.
Protocol
The use of the Greek flag is regulated by Law 851.[Law 851 (in Greek)](_blank)
More specifically, the law states that:
*When displayed at the Presidential Palace, the Hellenic Parliament
The Hellenic Parliament ( el, Ελληνικό Κοινοβούλιο, Elliniko Kinovoulio; formally titled el, Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Voulí ton Ellínon, Boule of the Hellenes, label=none), also known as the Parliament of the He ...
, the ministries, embassies and consulates of Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
, schools, military camps, and public and private ships as well as the navy, the flag must:
:#Fly from 8am until sunset,
:#Be displayed on a white mast topped with a white cross on top of a white sphere,
:#Not be torn or damaged in any way. If the flag is damaged, it should be burned in a respectful manner.
*The flag can be displayed by civilians on days specified by the ministry of internal affairs, as well as in sporting events and other occasions of the sort.
*When displayed vertically, the canton must be on the left side of the flag from the point of view of the spectator.
*The flag should never be:
:#Defaced by means of writing or superimposing any kind of image or symbol upon it,
:#Used to cover a statue. In that case, cloth in the national colours must be used,
:#Hung from windows or balconies without the use of a mast,
:#Used for commercial purposes,
:#Used as a logo for any corporation or organization, even at different proportions.
*When placed on top of a coffin, the canton must always be on the right of the person's head.
Colours
The government has not specified exactly ''which'' shade of blue should be used for the flag, and as such flags with many varying shades exist. In the most recent legislation regarding the national flag, the colours mentioned are:
Because of the use of the word 'cyan' ( el, κυανός, ), which can also mean 'blue' in Greek, the exact shade of blue remains ambiguous. Although it implies the use of a light shade of blue, such as on the flag of the United Nations
The flag of the United Nations consists of the emblem depicting the white azimuthal equidistant projection of the world map, centred on the North Pole, with two white olive branches placed on to its right and left, located on the sky blue ba ...
, the colours of the Greek flag tend to be darker, especially during the dictatorship
A dictatorship is a form of government which is characterized by a leader, or a group of leaders, which holds governmental powers with few to no limitations on them. The leader of a dictatorship is called a dictator. Politics in a dictatorship a ...
and in recent years, with the exception of the years of the rule of King Otto, when a very light shade of blue was used. Consequently, the shade of blue is largely left to the flagmakers to decide, as shown in the table below.
Flag days
200px, _decorations_in_Poros">Ohi_Day_decorations_in_Poros..html" ;"title="Poros.html" ;"title="Ohi Day decorations in Poros">Ohi Day decorations in Poros.">Poros.html" ;"title="Ohi Day decorations in Poros">Ohi Day decorations in Poros.
Law 851/1978 sets the general outline for when the specific days on which the flag should be raised. For national holidays, this applies country-wide, but on local ones it only applies to those areas where the said holiday is being celebrated. Additionally, the flag may also be flown on days of national mourning, half-mast. The Ministry of the Interior (Greece), Minister of the Interior has the authority to proclaim flag days if they are not already proclaimed, and proclaiming regional flag days is vested with the elected head of each regional unit
The 74 regional units of Greece ( el, περιφερειακές ενότητες, ; sing. , ) are the country's Seventy-four second-level administrative units. They are divisions of the country's 13 regions, and are further divided into munici ...
(formerly prefectures).
Although 17 November is not an official national holiday, Presidential Decree 201/1998 states that respects are to be paid to the flag on that particular day.
Military flags
Army and Air Force War Flag
The War flag (equivalent to regimental colours) of the Army and the Air Force is of square shape, with a white cross on blue background. On the centre of the cross the image of Saint George is shown on Army war flags and the image of archangel Michael is shown on Air Force war flags.[
In the Army war flags are normally carried by infantry, tank and special forces regiments and battalions, by the Evelpidon Military Academy, the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and the ]Presidential Guard
Presidential Guard may refer to:
*President Guard Regiment (Bangladesh)
* Presidential Guard Regiment (Turkey)
*Presidential Guard (Greece)
* Presidential Guard (Belarus)
* Presidential Guard (South Vietnam)
*President's Own Guard Regiment (Ghana ...
when in battle or in parade. However, flying a war flag in battle is unlikely with current warfare tactics.
Hellenic Army War Flag.svg, Army regimental war flag
Flag of the Hellenic Air Force (1973-1978).svg, Air Force and civil air ensign, 1973–1978
Naval and civil ensigns
The current naval and civil ensigns are identical to the national flag.
The simple ''white cross on blue field'' pattern is also used as the Navy's jack and as the base pattern for naval rank flags. These flags are described in Chapter 21 (articles 2101–30) of the Naval Regulations. A jack is also flown by larger vessels of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Units of Naval or Coast Guard personnel in parade fly the war ensign in place of the war flag.[Presidential Decree 348 /17-4-1980, ''On the war flags of the Armed Forces and the Gendarmerie Corps'']
Gazette issue A-98/1980
Naval Jack of Greece.svg, Naval jack of Greece
Naval_rank_flag_of_the_Prime_Minister_of_Greece.svg, Naval rank flag of the Prime Minister of Greece
The prime minister of the Hellenic Republic ( el, Πρωθυπουργός της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας, Prothypourgós tis Ellinikís Dimokratías), colloquially referred to as the prime minister of Greece ( el, Πρωθυ� ...
Greek Navy Admiral Flag.svg, Naval rank flag for a full Admiral
Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet ...
Hellenic Coast Guard Flag (1973-1980).svg, Coast Guard ensign (1973–1980)
Other uniformed services
In the past a war flag was assigned to the former semi-military Hellenic Gendarmerie
The Hellenic Gendarmerie (, ''Elliniki Chorofylaki'') was the national gendarmerie and military police (until 1951) force of Greece.
History
19th century
The Greek Gendarmerie was established after the enthronement of King Otto in 1833 as the ...
, which was later merged with Cities Police
The Cities Police ( el, Αστυνομία Πόλεων) was a Greek police force extant from 1921 to 1984, responsible for policing urban areas. It complemented the Hellenic Gendarmerie, which was responsible for rural and suburban areas.
Histo ...
to form the current Hellenic Police
The Hellenic Police ( el, Ελληνική Αστυνομία, ''Ellinikí Astynomía'', abbreviated ) is the national police service and one of the three security forces of the Hellenic Republic. It is a large agency with responsibilities ran ...
. The flag was similar to the Army war flag but showing Saint Irene in place of Saint George.
Since the Fire Service and the Hellenic Police are considered civilian agencies, they are not assigned war flags. They use the National Flag instead. Identical rules were applied to the former Cities Police. However, recently the Police Academy has been assigned a war flag, and they paraded for the first time with this flag on Independence Day, March 25, 2011. The flag is similar to the Army war flag, with the image of St George replaced with that of Artemius of Antioch.
Flag of the Head of State
Throughout the history of Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
, various heads of state have used different flags. The designs differ according to the historical era they were used in and in accordance with the political scene in Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
at the time. The first flag to be used by a head of state of Greece was that of King Otto of Greece
Otto (, ; 1 June 181526 July 1867) was a Bavarian prince who ruled as King of Greece from the establishment of the monarchy on 27 May 1832, under the Convention of London, until he was deposed on 23 October 1862.
The second son of King Lud ...
.
Following the establishment of the Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece ( grc, label= Greek, Βασίλειον τῆς Ἑλλάδος ) was established in 1832 and was the successor state to the First Hellenic Republic. It was internationally recognised by the Treaty of Constantinople, wh ...
in 1832, the 17-year old Bavarian prince Otto was selected as king for the newfound monarchy. A royal decree dated 4 (16) April 1833 prescribed a number of maritime flags, including the royal standard. This flag, set at a 7:10 ratio, was a variant of the Greek white-cross-on-blue and featured the ancestral coat of arms of the Wittelsbach dynasty
The House of Wittelsbach () is a German dynasty, with branches that have ruled over territories including Bavaria, the Palatinate, Holland and Zeeland, Sweden (with Finland), Denmark, Norway, Hungary (with Romania), Bohemia, the Electorate o ...
at its centre. The construction and dimensions of this flag was further described by a decree dated 28 August 1858, which also changed the proportions of the flag from 7:10 to 3:2. Following Otto's abdication in 1862, the Wittelsbach coat of arms would subsequently be removed.
In 1863, the 17-year old Danish prince William was selected as Greece's new king, taking on the name George I. A royal decree dated 28 December 1863 prescribed that the king's standard would retain the same dimensions and basic design of the previous flag. At the flag's centre, the royal coat of arms of the new dynasty ( Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg) would feature. By a new royal decree of 3 June 1914, the distinguishing flags to be utilised by the various members of the royal family were described. The king's flag was defined as being square in shape and, as in previous flags, featured the coat of arms of the king on a Greek white-cross-on-blue. As the king at the time, Constantine I
Constantine I ( , ; la, Flavius Valerius Constantinus, ; ; 27 February 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337, the first one to convert to Christianity. Born in Naissus, Dacia Mediterran ...
, was made a field marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...
the previous year, the coat of arms on his flag featured a heraldic representation of the Marshal's baton
The ceremonial baton is a short, thick stick-like object, typically in wood or metal, that is traditionally the sign of a field marshal or a similar high-ranking military officer, and carried as a piece of their uniform. The baton is distinguis ...
in twos, crossed behind his coat of arms.
With the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic
The Second Hellenic Republic is a modern historiographical term used to refer to the Greek state during a period of republican governance between 1924 and 1935. To its contemporaries it was known officially as the Hellenic Republic ( el, Ἑλ� ...
in 1924, the king's flag was made redundant. In 1930, a presidential decree described the president's flag as being a square version of the usual cross flag, devoid of any distinguishing markings.
On 10 October 1935, Georgios Kondylis declared that the monarchy had been restored and the 3 June 1914 decree was restored by decree of 7 November 1935. This flag, and the flags of other members of the royal family, was replaced the following year with new designs. Unlike previous designs, all flags now featured the coat of arms of the dynasty at its centre and would be distinguished by the number of crowns present at each of the four corners of the flags: The flag of the king featured a crown on each of the corners of the flag. This was the last design of a royal standard to be adopted prior to the eventual formal abolition of the monarchy in 1973.
The president's flag is currently prescribed by Presidential Decree 274/1979.[published i]
Gazette A, 78, dated 17.04.1979, p.726
/ref>
Greek flag with monogram of King Otto.svg, Flag with the monogram of King Otto of Greece (1833–1862)
Naval Royal Standard of Greece (1833-1858).svg, The Royal Standard of Greece (1833–1858)
Naval Royal Standard of Greece (1858-1862).svg, The Royal Standard of Greece (1858–1862)
Greek Royal Flag 1863.svg, The Royal Standard of Greece (1863-1913)
Standard of King George I of Greece (1863-1913).svg, Flag of King George I of Greece (1863–1913)
Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Greece (1914 pattern).svg, Flag of King Constantine I of Greece in his capacity as a Field Marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...
(1914–1917 and 1920–1922)
Flag of the President of Greece (1924–1935).svg, Flag of the President of Greece (1924–1935)
Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Greece (1936-1967).svg, Flag of the King of Greece (1936–1973)
Presidential_Standard_of_Greece_(1973-1974).svg, Flag of the President of Greece (1973–1974)
Flag of the President of Greece.svg, Flag of the President of Greece
The president of Greece, officially the President of the Hellenic Republic ( el, Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας, Próedros tis Ellinikís Dimokratías), commonly referred to in Greek as the President of the Rep ...
(1979–present)
Use of double-headed eagle
One of the most recognisable (other than the cross) and beloved Greek symbols, the double-headed eagle
In heraldry and vexillology, the double-headed eagle (or double-eagle) is a charge associated with the concept of Empire. Most modern uses of the symbol are directly or indirectly associated with its use by the late Byzantine Empire, origi ...
, is not a part of the modern Greek flag or coat of arms (although it is officially used by the Greek Army, the Church of Greece
The Church of Greece ( el, Ἐκκλησία τῆς Ἑλλάδος, Ekklēsía tē̂s Helládos, ), part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, is one of the autocephalous churches which make up the communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It ...
, the Cypriot National Guard and the Church of Cyprus
The Church of Cyprus ( el, Ἐκκλησία τῆς Κύπρου, translit=Ekklisia tis Kyprou; tr, Kıbrıs Kilisesi) is one of the autocephalous Greek Orthodox churches that together with other Eastern Orthodox churches form the communion ...
, and was incorporated in the Greek coat of arms in 1926 ). One suggested explanation is that, upon independence, an effort was made for political — and international relations — reasons to limit expressions implying efforts to recreate the Byzantine Empire. Yet another theory is that this symbol was only connected with a particular period of Greek history (Byzantine) and a particular form of rule (imperial).
Some Greek sources have attempted to establish links with ancient symbols: the eagle was a common design representing power in ancient city-states, while there was an implication of a "dual-eagle" concept in the tale that Zeus left two eagles fly east and west from the ends of the world, eventually meeting in Delphi, thus proving it to be the centre of the earth. However, there is virtually no doubt that its origin is a blend of Roman and Eastern influences. Indeed, the early Byzantine Empire inherited the Roman eagle as an imperial symbol. During his reign, Emperor Isaac I Comnenus (1057–59) modified it as double-headed, influenced by traditions about such a beast in his native Paphlagonia in Asia Minor (in turn reflecting possibly much older local myths). Many modifications followed in flag details, often combined with the cross. After the recapture of Constantinople by the Byzantine Greeks in 1261, two crowns were added (over each head) representing — according to the most prevalent theory — the newly recaptured capital and the intermediate "capital" of the empire of Nicaea
The Empire of Nicaea or the Nicene Empire is the conventional historiographic name for the largest of the three Byzantine Greek''A Short history of Greece from early times to 1964'' by W. A. Heurtley, H. C. Darby, C. W. Crawley, C. M. Woodhous ...
. There has been some confusion about the exact use of this symbol by the Byzantines; it appears that, at least originally, it was more a "dynastic" and not a "state" symbol (a term not fully applicable at the time, anyway), and for this reason, the colours connected with it were clearly the colours of "imperial power", i.e., red and yellow/gold.
After the fall of Constantinople
The Fall of Constantinople, also known as the Conquest of Constantinople, was the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire by the Ottoman Empire. The city fell on 29 May 1453 as part of the culmination of a 53-day siege which had begun o ...
to the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University ...
nonetheless, the double-headed eagle remained a strong symbol of reference for the Greeks. Most characteristically, the Orthodox Church continues to use the double-headed eagle extensively as a decorative motif, and has also adopted a black eagle on yellow/gold background as its official flag.
After the Ottoman conquest, however, this symbol also found its way to a "new Constantinople" (or Third Rome), i.e. Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...
. Russia, deeply influenced by the Byzantine Empire, saw herself as its heir and adopted the double-headed eagle as its imperial symbol. It was also adopted by the Serbs, the Montenegrins, the Albanians and a number of Western rulers, most notably in Germany and Austria.
Flag_of_the_Greek_Orthodox_Church.svg, Flag of the Greek Orthodox Church
The term Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the entire body of Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Christianity, sometimes also cal ...
File:Flag of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus.svg, Flag of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
Flag of the Greek Army.svg, Flag of the Hellenic Army General Staff
See also
*Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
* Coat of arms of Greece
*Hymn to Liberty
The "Hymn to Liberty", or "Hymn to Freedom" ( el, Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν, also ), is a poem written by Dionysios Solomos in 1823 that consists of 158 stanzas and is used as the national anthem of Greece and Cyprus. ...
*Byzantine heraldry For most of its history, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire did not know or use heraldry in the Western European sense of permanent motifs transmitted through hereditary right. Various large aristocratic families employed certain symbols to ident ...
*History of Greece
The history of Greece encompasses the history of the territory of the modern nation-state of Greece as well as that of the Greek people and the areas they inhabited and ruled historically. The scope of Greek habitation and rule has varied throu ...
* List of Greek flags
References
Further reading
*I. Nouchakis, ''Η Σημαία μας (Our Flag)'', Athens 1908.
External links
*
*
Article on the Greek Flag from the website of the Hellenic Army
Older article on the Greek Flag from the website of the Hellenic Army
*Decrees specifying the design of the flag:
(3 June 1833) – contains official drawings
**[http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wFt6lurlHBlsXdtvSoClrL8b5S2mIvi-NjtIl9LGdkF53UIxsx942CdyqxSQYNuqAGCF0IfB9HI6qSYtMQEkEHLwnFqmgJSA5WIsluV-nRwO1oKqSe4BlOTSpEWYhszF8P8UqWb_zFijK93wwqKt6r-Pg1JjKMaDLXcLIGKGfcVTjGoLIJZ-mHk Regarding the Naval and Commercial Flag] (13 September 1858)
Regarding the Flags of the Kingdom of Greece and other distinctive ensigns
(31 May 1914) contains numerous official drawings
(25 February 1930)
**[http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wGaUeFLzbufzHdtvSoClrL8lj0jDA0wBrh5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx9hLslJUqeiQKIWG7lnQCuhtjiZpv0mfYcaQ84IUxK5_XH4p4koDAGU. Regarding the National and War Flags] (18 August 1969) changed the proportions to 7:12 and abolished the state flag
*
Regarding amendments to provisions subject to Legislative Decree 254/69
(29 January 1971) removed the royal crowns from all flags
(7 June 1975) restored the old proportions and the state flag
**[http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wFPP_lPXvEuPndtvSoClrL8oVI0aL41Klx5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx3UnKl3nP8NxdnJ5r9cmWyJWelDvWS_18kAEhATUkJb0x1LIdQ163nV9K--td6SIuSF-i2xSA1znqPU6llbfZc1cdlXrS9PCRljaV4ovrZ9R Law 851 Regarding the National Flag, the War Flags and the Emblem of the President of the Republic] (22 December 1978) current flag design
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flag Of Greece
1822 introductions
National flags, Greece
Flags of Greece,
National symbols of Greece
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...
Flags introduced in 1978