Flagneads

Federal Republic of  Germany

Reunified on 3 October 1990

Chancellor: Angela Merkel

President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Population:  80,722,792 (July 2016 est.) (Rank 19)

GDP (PPP):  $3.979 trillion (2016 est.) (Rank 6)

Language: German

The Flag

Adopted on 23 May 1949

This flag was originally adopted during the Weimar Republic.

The Design

Horizontal tricolor of black, red, and gold

The flag’s colors are usually attributed to the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg Dynasty

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany

State of Hawaii

Admitted to the Union on 21 August 1959 (50th)

Nickname: The Aloha State

Motto: The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness

Population: 1,428,557 (2016 est.) (Rank 40)

Area: 10,931 sq. mi. (Rank 43)

Governor: David Ige

The Flag

Adopted on 29 December 1845

This flag’s origin is disputed, but a popular story centers around a Red Ensign flown by Kamehameha as a token of friendship with King George III.

The Design

Eight horizontal stripes of alternating white, red, and blue, with a Union Jack in canton

The eight stripes and their colors represent the eight main islands of Hawaii and the Union Jack.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii

Gabonese Republic

Gained independence from France on 17 August 1960

President: Ali Bongo Ondimba

Prime Minister:  Franck Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet

Population: 1,738,541 (Rank 154)

GDP (PPP): $35.98 billion (2016 est.) (Rank 121)

Languages: French (Official), Fang, Myene, Punu, Njebi

The Flag

Adopted on 9 August 1960

The original design had the French tricolor in canton, but this was removed the week before independence.

The Design

Horizontal tricolor of green, gold, and blue

Green: Lumber and other natural resources

Gold: Equator and the Sun

Blue: South Atlantic Ocean

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gb.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabon

Bisexual Pride Flag

This flag represents the bisexual community.

The Flag

Designed by Michael Page in 1998

He designed the flag based on the “Biangles” symbol, which I have also included.

The Design

Horizontal tricolor of  with a ratio of 2:1:2 pink, lavender, and blue

Pink: Homosexuality

Lavender: Bisexuality

Blue: Heterosexuality

Source

French Republic

Republic established on 22 September 1792

President: Emmanuel Macron

Prime Minister: Édouard Philippe

Population:  66,836,154 (2016 est.) (Rank 22)

GDP (PPP):  $2.699 trillion (2016 est.) (Rank 11)

Languages: French

The Flag

Readopted in July 1830 (had been used previously as an ensign and as Napoleon’s flag)

It is known, in English, as the French Tricolor (or just the Tricolor).

The Design

Vertical tricolor of blue, white, and red

Blue: Traditional color of Paris, represents Saint Martin of Tours

White: The “Ancient French Color” as described by Lafayette

Red: Traditional color of Paris, represents Saint Denis of Paris

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fr.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France

State of Georgia

Admitted to the Union on 2 January 1788 (4th)

Nicknames: The Peach State, Empire State of the South

Motto: Wisdom, Justice, Moderation

Population:  10,310,371 (2016 est.) (Rank 8)

Area:  59,425 sq mi (Rank 24)

Governor: Nathan Deal

The Flag

Adopted on 8 May 2003

The new design was based on the Confederate First National Flag instead of the Confederate Battle Flag, as authorized by the state legislature and governor in 2003.

The Design

Three horizontal stripes of red, white, and red, with a blue canton containing thirteen white stars and the state arms in gold

Though no official meaning is assigned to any of the colors in the flag, the state seal has symbolism itself

Arch: State constitution

Three Pillars: Three branches of government

Drawn Sword: Defense of the constitution

Stars: Georgia’s status as an original colony

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_(U.S._state)

Republic of Finland

Gained independence from the Russian SFSR on 6 December 1917.

President Sauli Niinistö

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä

Population:  5,498,211 (July 2016 est.) (Rank 118)

GDP (PPP):  $225.7 billion (2016 est.) (Rank 63)

Languages: Finnish and Swedish

The Flag

Adopted on 29 May 1918

The state flag, which I have also included, has been modified many times since 1978.

The Design

Sea-blue Nordic Cross on a white field

Sea-Blue: Skies and thousands of lakes in Finland

White: Winter snows

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Finland

Republic of Fiji

Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 10 October 1970

President George Konrote

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama

Population: 915,303 (2016 est.) (Rank 162)

GDP:  $8.374 billion (2016 est.) (Rank 162)

Languages: Fijian (iTaukei) and English

The Flag

Adopted 10 October 1970

The state arms have been modified, but the overall flag has remained the same since Fiji’s colonial period.

I have also included the Presidential Standard.

The Design

Light blue ensign with the Fijian shield of arms centered on the fly

Union Jack: Long association with the United Kingdom

Blue: Pacific Ocean

Shield: Golden British Lion holding a Cocoa Pod, a Palm Tree, Sugarcane, Bananas, and a Dove of Peace

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fj.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Fiji

LGBT Pride Flag

This flag is the symbol of the LGBT social movement.

Happy Pride Month!

The Flag

Adopted on 25 June 1978

Designed by Gilbert Baker

The original version had a hot pink stripe above the red stripe, but it was removed due to fabric unavailability.

The Design

Horizontal tricolor of red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise/light blue, indigo/blue, violet (originally included hot pink)

Hot Pink: Sex

Red: Life

Orange: Healing

Yellow: Sunlight

Green: Nature

Turquoise/Light Blue: Magic/Art

Indigo/Blue: Serenity

Violet: Spirit

Source

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Originally founded in c. 980 BC, but most recent constitution ratified in August 1955

President Mulatu Teshome

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn

Population:  102,374,044 (2016 est.) (Rank 14)

Area:  426,400 sq mi (Rank 27)

GDP:  $174.7 billion (2016 est.) (Rank 69)

National Languages: None

The Flag

Adopted on  31 October 1996

The current design was adopted after the defeat and overthrow of the Marxist Derg regime.

I have also included the flags of Ethiopia under Selassie and the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The Design

Horizontal tricolor of green, yellow, and red, with the National Emblem superimposed in the center.

The flag is based on Pan-African colors and principles, and was designed by Abebe Alambo.

Green: Richness, Fertility, and Hope

Yellow: Religious Freedom and Peace

Red: Blood spilled in defense of Ethiopia

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Ethiopia

State of Florida

Admitted to the Union on 3 March 1845 (27th)

Nickname: The Sunshine State

Motto: In God We Trust

Population: 20,612,439 (2016 est.) (Rank 3)

Area: 65,755 sq mi (Rank 22)

Governor: Rick Scott

The Flag

Adopted on 6 November 1900 (modified on 21 May 1985)

The flag ranked 34th for design quality in the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) survey of 72 provincial flags in Canada and the USA.

The Design

A red saltire on a white field, with the seal of Florida superimposed in the center

Most of the flag’s symbolism comes from the seal, as the saltire itself is mostly an homage to the state’s Spanish heritage.

Seminole Woman: Cultural heritage

Sabal Palm/Saw Palmetto: Fertility, Vibrance and Hospitality

Steamboat: Commerce

Rising Sun: Hope for a bright future

Sources:

http://floridaflag.facts.co/floridastateflagof/floridaflag.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Florida

Republic of Estonia

Declared independence from Germany on 24 February 1918, regained independence from Soviet Union on 20 August 1991.

President Kersti Kaljulaid

Prime Minister Juri Ratas

Population:  1,258,545 (July 2016 est.) (Rank 159)

Area: 17,505 sq mi (Rank 132)

GDP:  $38.93 billion (2016 est.) (Rank 116)

National Languages: Estonian, with a large Russian minority

The Flag

Adopted on 21 November 1918

The Estonian Flag Act of 23 March 2005 specified the flag’s colors in the Pantome and CMYK formats.

I have also included the Naval Jack and President’s Standard.

The Design

Tricolor of blue, black and white

The most popular interpretation of the flag’s colors come from the poetry of Martin Lipp, and is as follows:

Blue: Vaulted sky above the native land

Black:  Attachment to the soil of the homeland as well as the fate of Estonians – for centuries black with worries

White: Purity, hard work, and commitment

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/en.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonia

I have finally returned from my longer-than-expected hiatus. I will resume posting on this blog regularly, but my post format has changed.

Instead of daily posts of world flags, I will post world flags every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. US State flags will still be posted every Wednesday. Fridays will be reserved for flags representing social and political movements. 

I plan to include more information about nations and their flags than I had in my previous posts.

State of Eritrea

Voted for independence from Ethiopia on 24 May, 1993.

Adopted on 5 December, 1995.

Closely resembles the flag of the Eritrean’s People’s Liberation Front.

Three triangles green, red and blue, in staggered sequence, with the Emblem of Eritrea in hoist.

Green = Agriculture

Red = Blood spilt for independence

Blue = Bountiful sea

Source:

State of Delaware

1st state admitted into the Union.

49th largest by landmass and 45th in population.

Nickname: The First State

Motto: Liberty and Independence

Adopted on 24 July, 1913.

The flag’s design is based on a banner flown by regiments from Delaware.

Buff diamond on field of colonial blue, with the coat of arms in center.

Both colors represent the uniform of George Washington.

Source:

Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Gained independence from Spain on 12 October, 1968.

Adopted on 21 August, 1979.

Original design was restored after the deposition of Francisco Nguema.

Triband of green, white and red, with blue triangle in hoist and the coat of arms in center.

Blue = Sea

Green = Agriculture and Jungles

White = Peace

Red = Blood spilt for independence

Source