European Union Flag: History and Significance

The European Union united under its flag 28 states territorially located in Europe. All of them are friendly neighbors and support beneficial relationships. The flag of the European Union looks like a blue cloth with the emblem of twelve golden stars. They are arranged in a circle. About the meaning, the history of the European flag will be described in this article.

History of the creation of the European Union flag

A community called the European Union was formally established in 1993. Previously, there were several independent organizations: the Unification of Coal and Steel and many others. These communities united the industry of the states of the continent. The Council of Europe, established in 1947, acted as an organization defending human rights. He is still. However, the system of the European Union is not included. 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 official from 1986.

Appearance was created after the flag of the European Union of Steel and Coal. His banner looked like divided in half and along a rectangular panel. The upper part was blue. It symbolized steel. The bottom one is black. She became a sign of coal. In the center were five stars, which personified the states, consisting in the unification. The flags of the EU countries remained unchanged.

External Flag Changes

The Dutch architect proposed in 2002 a new appearance of the official flag of the European Union. According to the project, it would look like a rectangular canvas, divided vertically into many equal parts of different colors. He would represent the diversity of the European Union. The national colors of the states of the European Union were displayed on the proposed panel.

But the idea of creating such a symbol was rejected due to the fact that because of the similarity with the barcode, it could not be reduced or replicated. That is why the existing EU flag was approved. Photos of this canvas can be found at many political congresses, which take place every year with the participation of countries that are members of this union.

The meaning of the symbol of the European Union

The blue color of the flag of the European Union means peace and a clear sky. But there are two versions of the meaning of the twelve stars on the flag:

• The first theory. According to her, the stars on the flag of the European Union are designated by the first twelve countries that have joined the organization of the European Union. Over time, there were more countries, but the emblem was not changed.
• The second version. She claims that the stars are a symbol of the whole of Europe. They are chosen as an emblem by analogy with the 12 signs of the zodiac.

The second version of the meaning of the stars on the flag of the European Union is officially adopted.

Using the banner and its image

The European Union flag is always depicted as a rectangular blue cloth, with a 2: 3 aspect ratio. All twelve stars must be placed on it. Necessarily they form a circle. Several official rules for placing stars on the flag were adopted:

1. They are arranged by analogy with the dial on the watch, only on the circumference.
2. The ends of the stars should not be directed downwards.
3. The vertices are not directed radially from the center, but upwards.

Legislatively approved that the official flag of the European Union is necessarily posted in every city that is part of the organization. They place it next to the official cloths of cities, near state government agencies. The banner is hung out and countries that seek to get into the international organization. You can see the flag of the European Union around any European organizations and embassies around the world. The photos in the article show his appearance. He 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 thanks to the fact that the European Union is rapidly expanding its territory. Many countries dream of becoming part of this community, but it's simply impossible to get there. Someone lacks political influence, and some are not developed to the required level. In any case, such an alliance can be considered influential. And these countries are afraid of small states. The European Union flag can not be used to create cartoons, although this does not stop modern artists.