THE FLAG OF GREECE
The pattern and colors of the Greek Flag haven't changed a lot since
the Revolution of the Greek Nation in 1821 (25 March 1821).
THE DESIGN AND PATTENS OF THE FLAG
The number of the
lines is based on the number of the syllables in the Greek phrase: Eleutheria
H Thanatos (Freedom or Death)
FREEDOM OR DEATH
Freedom or Death
was the slogan during the years of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman
Empire (Turks) in the 19th century. The number of lines on the flag (9
lines) reflects the number of letters in the greek word for Freedom which equals
9. This word stirred the heart of the oppressed Greeks, it created intense
emotions and inspired them to fight and
gain their freedom after 400 years of slavery. The line pattern was chosen
because of their similarity with the wavy sea that surounds the shores of Greece
. The interchange of blue and white colors makes the Hellenic Flag on a windy
day to look like the Aegean Pelagos (blue for the sea and white for the waves).
The Greek Square Cross that rests on the upper left-side of the flag and
occupies one fourth of the total area demonstrates the respect and the devotion
the Greek people have for their religion the Greek Orthodox Church and signifies
the important role of Christianity in the formation of the modern Hellenic
Nation. During the dark years of the Ottoman rule, the Greek Orthodox Church
helped the enslaved Greeks to retain their cultural characteristics: the Greek
language, the Byzantine religion and generally the Greek ethnic identity, by the
institution of the hidden schools (Krypha Scholia).
The Krypha Scholia were schools that operated secretly throughout Greece and
were committed in transmitting to the Greeks the wonders of theirancestors and
the rest of their cultural heritage and their Orthodox Christian Faith.
Today, Christianity is still the dominant religion among Greeks. Therefore the
existence of the Cross is justified.
THE COLORS OF THE FLAG
Blue and White!
These two colors symbolize the blue of the Greek Sea and the Whiteness of the
restless Greeks waves!
In addition, it reflects the blue of the Greek Sky and the White of the few
clouds that travel in it.
SOME TYPES OF THE GREEK FLAG
