Symbols & Secrets of Flags

Explication : The globe shows the stars as they appeared over Rio de Janeiro on November 15, 1889, the day the Republic was proclaimed.

Explication : The Taeguk (yin-yang) represents the balance of opposing forces. The 4 black trigrams symbolize heaven, earth, water and fire.

Explication : The green pentacle (5-pointed star) is the Seal of Solomon. It was added to the red flag in 1915 under the French protectorate.

Explication : The 11-pointed maple leaf became a national symbol in the 19th century. Maple syrup is a Canadian cultural icon.

Explication : Japan is the "Land of the Rising Sun" (Nihon/Nippon). The red disc (Hinomaru) represents the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Explication : Inspired by the Ethiopian flag, the only African country never colonized. Adopted as a symbol of liberation and Pan-African unity.

Explication : "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet." This is why the flag must never be flown at half-mast.

Explication : The square format comes from medieval military banners. Officially adopted in 1889. Only the Vatican shares this peculiarity.

Explication : St George's Cross (England, red on white), St Andrew's Cross (Scotland, white on blue), St Patrick's Cross (Ireland, red X). Wales is not represented.

Explication : The 13 colonies that declared independence in 1776. The number of stripes has never changed, unlike the stars (from 13 to 50).

Explication : According to Aztec legend, the gods ordered a city to be founded where an eagle would devour a serpent on a cactus: Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

Explication : The large star = the CCP. The 4 small ones = workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie and national bourgeoisie, united under the Party.

Explication : Green = hope, white = faith, red = charity. Other interpretations associate green with the plains, white with Alpine snow, red with blood.

Explication : Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. It is the only building to appear on a national flag.

Explication : Pierre de Coubertin chose the 5 colors (blue, yellow, black, green, red) + white background so that every nation in the world would have at least one of its colors represented.