The European Union has united under its flag 28 states geographically located in Europe. All of them are side by side and maintain a profitable relationship. The flag of the European Union looks like a blue cloth with an emblem of twelve golden stars. They are arranged in a circle. We will tell about the meaning and history of the European flag in this article.
The history of the creation of the flag of the European Union
A community called the European Union was formally established in 1993. Before there were several independent organizations: the Coal and Steel Association and many others. These communities united the industry of the states of the continent. The Council of Europe, formed in 1947, acted as an organization protecting human rights. He is still there. However, it is not part of the European Union system . It was at a meeting of the Council of Europe, in 1955, that the official flag with twelve stars was approved. Institutions and organizations of Europe, as well as the European Union itself, began to use this banner as an official one since 1986.
Appearance was created on the model of the flag of the European Union of Steel and Coal. His banner looked like a rectangular cloth divided in half and along. The upper part was blue. She symbolized steel. The bottom is black. She became a sign of coal. Five stars were located in the center, which personified the states in the union. The flags of the EU countries remained unchanged.
External flag changes
In 2002, the Dutch architect proposed a new appearance of the official flag of the European Union. According to the project, it would look like a canvas of rectangular shape, divided vertically into many equal parts of different colors. He would personify the versatility of the European Union. The proposed flag displayed the national colors of the states that are members of the European Union.
But the idea of creating such a symbol was rejected due to the fact that due to the similarity with the bar code it could not be reduced or duplicated. That is why the existing EU flag was approved. Photos of this canvas can be found at many political congresses, which are held every year with the participation of countries belonging to this union.
The meaning of the symbol of the European Union
The blue color of the flag of the European Union means peace and clear sky. But there are two versions of the meaning of the twelve stars located on the flag:
- First theory. According to her, the stars on the flag of the European Union denote the first twelve countries included in the organization of the European Union. Over time, there were more countries, but the logo was not changed.
- The second version. She claims that the stars are a symbol of all of Europe. They are chosen as an emblem by analogy with the 12 zodiac signs.
The second version of the value of stars on the flag of the European Union has been officially adopted.
Using the banner and its image.
The flag of the European Union is always depicted as a rectangular blue panel, with an aspect ratio of 2: 3. All twelve stars should be placed on it. Necessarily they form a circle. Several official rules for placing stars on the flag have been adopted:
- They are located by analogy with the dial on the watch, only around the circumference.
- The ends of the stars should not be directed downward.
- The vertices are not directed radially from the center, but up.
Legislatively approved that the official flag of the European Union must be hung in every city that is part of the organization. They place it next to the official banners of cities, near state government agencies. Banner also hang countries that seek to get into an international organization. You can see the flag of the European Union near any European organizations and embassies around the world. Photos in the article demonstrate its appearance. It has remained unchanged for many years.
Over the decades of its existence, the flag of the European Union is known to almost every person in the world because of its symbolism and simplicity. And also due to the fact that the EU is rapidly expanding its territory. Many countries dream of becoming a part of this community, but it is simply impossible to get there. Some do not have enough political influence, and some are not developed to the right level. In any case, such an alliance can be considered influential. And these countries are afraid of small states. The flag of the European Union cannot be used to create caricatures, although this does not stop contemporary artists.