Greece Flag: Meaning And History 

Before knowing Greece flag meaning and history, you should know about Greece itself. Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece is very popular for being the cradle of Western Civilization, the birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games, and its ancient history and magnificent temples. Ancient temples in Greece include the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Without further delay let me tell you about the Greece flag. 

What Is The Greece Flag? 

The Greece flag is recognized for its blue and white colors on it. Often referred to as the “blue-white”, the present flag is based on nine horizontal bands of blue alternating with white. On the top left, there is a blue square canton with a white cross, a symbol of Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the Greeks. But the flag changed a few during Greek history. 

The flag consists of nine horizontal blue and white lines, with a white cross on a blue square field in the canton position. The dimension of the flag of Greece is the ratio of 2:3, which is the ratio of height and width. 

Now, you know what does the Greece flag look like. But, what about the Greek flag colors meaning. Because, the flag of Greece carries a unique meaning within it, so let’s understand the greece flag meaning in detail. 

What Is The Greece Flag Meaning? 

There is some lore that surrounds the meaning and symbolism behind the flag. The flag is also recognizable and different and represents certain aspects of Greek culture and history. The Greece flag has the blue and the white colors which represent the seas surrounding Greece with its blue water and white wave crests. The white cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religions of Greece. The religion that the majority of people in Greece practice. The nine blue and white stripes represents each syllable in the phrase, ““Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος”, which means, “Freedom or Death” in English. 

Let me tell you about the Greece flag history in detail. 

History Of Greece Flag 

Still many people don’t know that the existing flag of Greece was not officially adopted until December 22 1978. Before that, the flag had several designs with a few similarities. Prior to 1978, the flag may or may not have contained the signature bands and maybe only one contained the white cross with the blue background. 

The king named Otto from Bavaria had added his family’s coat of arms to the flag, but it was changed after his removal of power. 

As there is no more information regarding the official flag of Greece like why this design was adopted. But, there is only speculation, perhaps that is part of the lore of the fag itself? In a lot of ways, the multiple designs that the Greek flag has had since the Greek War of independence is a reflection on the changing nature of modern Greek History. 

The current flag of Greece officially adopted after 1978, 

Neighboring Countries Of Greece 

The neighbring countries of Greece are, 

• Albania 
• Bulgaria 
• Turkey 
• Republic of Macedonia 
• Egypt 
• Italy 
• Libya 
• Cyperus 

About Greece 

Let’s understand some basic aspects about Greece to know more about it. 

Click here – Russian Flag: Meaning & History

• Language 

The language of Greece is Greek. Indo-European spoken primarily in Greece. It has a long ancient history, the longest of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries. 

• Currency 

The currency of Greece is the Euro. It is because Greece had joined the European Union in 1981 and adopted the Euro in 2001 in time to be among the first wave of countries to launch euro banknotes and coins on 1st January 2002. 

• Food 

The most consumed food in Greece include Taramasalata, Olives and Olive oil, Dolmades, Moussaka, Fresh Fish, Grilled Meat, Courgette balls, Octopus, and many more. 

• Population 

The population of Greece is 10.312,476 as of 2022, it is 0.15% of the total population of the world. 

• Area 

The total area of Greece is about 50,949 mi sq. Greece is slightly larger than half the size of the United Kingdom, or somewhere smaller than the US state of Alabama. 

• Weather 

The weather of Greece contains freezing winters, snowy, and windy, and partly cloudy year around. 

You will get to know more about various flags on Flagizzy

FAQ

What Is The Story Behind The Greek Flag?

Traditionally, the belief is that the nine stripes represent the nine syllables of the phrase ‘Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος’ (‘Eleftheria I Thanatos’, which means Freedom or Death), though some say they are meant to symbolise the nine letters of the Greek word ‘freedom’ (ελευθερία or eleftheria).

What Is The Meaning Of The Greek Flags Design And Colors?

The white cross in the upper quadrant of the flag represents Greek Orthodox Christianity, the religion that the majority of people in Greece practice. The nine blue and white stripes represents each syllable in the phrase, “Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος”, which means, “Freedom or Death” in English.

Who Created The Greece Flag?

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.

When Was The Greek Flag Invented?

Flag Facts
The Greek flag is referred to as “blue-white” or “sky-blue-white.” The flag was officially adopted on January 13, 1822. At the time, it was used as a naval ensign. The colors of blue used have varied from light blue to dark blue throughout history.

Click here – Gambia Flag: Meaning & History

Did Greece Change Their Flag?

The Bavarian dynasty that ruled Greece from 1833 to 1862 had flags of light blue, corresponding to Bavarian symbols. Later a darker blue was substituted and, in the period 1967–74 when Greece was under a military junta, a very dark blue was official. The current flag law dates from December 22, 1978.

Conclusion 

So, in this article you become familiar with the colors of Greece flag, and also have collected some knowledge regarding the ancient Greece flag. Greece is a small country, smaller than the American state Alabama, but has a unique identity. History is incomplete without Greek history. Because the Greek has very rich and deep history, it is the origin of Olympic games and also ancient temples. So, this was all about the Greece flag. 

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