France’s new blue: Which countries in Europe have also changed their flag?
[ad_1]
Earlier this month, aides to President Emmanuel Macron revealed that the shade of blue used in France’s national flag has changed.
More than that, the change happened over a year ago – and no one had noticed it.
Blue in France tricolor has been adjusted to a darker navy in a subtle but significant change.
Now the hue approaches that of the flags used during the French Revolution. Officials describe the change as a “sleeker” fit.
Flag changes don’t happen often in Europe, but when they do, it can be a mark of serious historical events, political changes, or just a purely aesthetic back and forth.
Here are some of the most important flag changes in Europe over time.
A deeper blue: France
It’s no wonder the French didn’t notice the color change.
France has been using lighter and darker shades of blue for decades, depending on the occasion.
However, this is the first formal color change since 1976, when President Giscard d’Estaing changed the palette to align closer to the blue of the European Union flag.
That’s an interesting example of good old color theory that comes into play. Notice how deeper the red in the new flag looks, almost? It doesn’t – the new blue does all the work there.
Are you going through changes? Ask Greece
Greece was one of the first countries in the world to use flags in a representative sense, but it was not without a host of startup issues.
They just weren’t something on the radar for ancient civilizations.
Several unofficial flags were distributed during the Ottoman period, including a red and yellow Byzantine double-headed eagle.
Proposals for the first suitable flag of Greece were put forward by Greek writer and political thinker Rigas Feraios as part of the Pan-Balkan Federation Proposals in 1797.
As you can see, it differs a lot from the series of designs that are said to be part of the national identity of Greece.
The four designs shown above are just a few of the many different flags that the country has adopted at different times.
Greece’s rich and complex history meant that it underwent a series of changes featuring different motifs and symbols before settling I Galanolefki – ‘Le Bleu et Blanc’, in 1978.
Four bars of azure, four bars of silver are believed to represent the sky and the sea, accompanied by the traditional Greek cross.
Realize that your flag is the same as another country: Liechtenstein
The fourth smallest country in Europe produced a simple, straightforward red and yellow flag based on its coat of arms when it gained sovereignty in the early 18th century.
Towards the end of Prince Aloys II’s reign, the colors were changed to reflect the country’s coat of arms, keeping red but abandoning yellow as a favorite of the full spectrum of primary colors.
A partnership with Switzerland in 1921 saw the color palette shift from vertical to horizontal to represent the nation’s renewed status in Europe.
All’s well That ends well. But not for long.
Preparations for the 1936 Berlin Olympics revealed a crucial error: Liechtenstein had the same flag as Haiti and remained unconscious for 16 years.
The flag was changed the following year by adding the crown of the prince in the upper left corner.
Departure from the Soviet Union: Ukraine
Historically, one of the most common reasons for flag changes in Europe has been the formation – and dissolution – of the Soviet Union.
Each country in the Soviet Union was forced to abandon its own flags in favor of classic hammer, sickle and star iconography throughout the 1920s.
The original flag of Ukraine was banned upon joining the Union in 1922, and it took decades to develop its Soviet iteration, center shown.
When the country became independent in 1991, it sought to honor its once-suppressed half-blue, half-yellow design, but chose to distinguish itself from the shade of blue the Soviets had borrowed for their original flag of the People’s Republic. .
With that came the introduction of a darker blue, a “strong azure” to be exact. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see both, although the official flags will always display the latter.
Partnership brand: United Kingdom
Before the formation of the United Kingdom in 1707, each country’s flag existed in a separate design.
The kingdom has managed to exist for almost 100 years without any real representation of the membership of its countries. Everything changed in 1801, with the creation of the Union Flag, or Union Jack.
The Cross of St. George of England has been mixed up with the red diagonal St. Patrick’s Cross and the Blue Flag of St. Andrew of Scotland for good measure.
Wales was not included as it was already considered part of the âKingdom of Englandâ, resulting in a combination of English, Scottish and Irish flags.
It is considered to be the first design overhaul to reflect such a significant change in geographic and political ties.
Adding the dragon of St. David would likely complicate matters at this point.
Of course, each country still uses its individual flags across government, sports, and national events.
Making Your Mark During Turbulence: Republic of Ireland
If someone were to ask you to choose the color best associated with the Republic of Ireland, it is very unlikely that you would go for blue.
Nevertheless, the flags that preceded the Irish tricolor are very different from the green, white and gold flags introduced during the Easter Rising in 1916.
The deliberate departure from the lesser-known blue designs that have reigned throughout history was designed to represent the unity between nationalists and trade unionists.
Prior to that, the banner known as the “Lordship of Ireland” – used for over 300 years – featured three crowns. A harp was introduced into the mix as a result of the influence of Henry VII and lasted for hundreds of years.
You will always see the harp in Irish culture, better known as the iconic Guinness logo.
Keep it simple: Denmark
The flag of Denmark is the oldest flag in continuous use in Europe – it was first used as a collective national symbol in 1219, during the Battle of Lyndanisse.
Legend has it that a piece of red cloth on a white cross fell from the sky during a fight, which made Danish soldiers believe it was a sign from God.
That’s not to say it was for everyone, however.
The Danes have regarded their flag as a strictly royal emblem for hundreds of years. Between 1834 and 1854, ordinary citizens were even banned from displaying it in their homes, until the establishment realized that it could be a useful source of unity in difficult times.
The Second Schleswig War between Denmark and Germany, for example.
This flag provided the pattern for the “Scandinavian cross” and in the centuries that followed Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland followed suit with similar styles.
Olden is gold after all.
[ad_2]