Richel Ann Salazar Olympia

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Flag Description: Azerbaijan flag is a divided on equal stripes of blue (top), red (middle) and green (bottom). The flag also has a white crescent and white eight-pointed star. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Azerbaijan) Azerbaijan Flag Meaning: The bands or stripes in the Azerbaijan flag represents a number of things. Blue stands for the Turkic heritage of the country. Most of the traditions, ways of living and language of the country is greatly influenced by the Turks. Red represents the efforts of the country for modernization and development. It also represents the history of the country with Europe. Green, on the other hand represents Islam. The white crescent also represents Islam while the eight=pointed star represents the eight Turkic people of the world. (http://www.azerbaijans.com/content_427_en.html) Azerbaijan Flag History: The first time Azerbaijan accepted the tri-color was on November 9, 1918, during the government of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. The flag was first raised during the first meeting of the Parliament of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on December 7, 1918. With the Soviet regime taking over in April 28, 1920, just two years after the tri-color flag was accepted, the Azerbaijan flag was renounced. During the 1980’s, the country was in constant unrest and the tri-color flag was used for demonstrations against the Soviet reign. It was not after a few decades from being renounced that the flag was restored and was finally adopted on February 5, 1991. (http://www.azerbaijan.az/portal/General/Symbols/stateSymbols_01_e.html) Interesting Azerbaijan Flag Facts: The eight-pointed star has a great significance for Azerbaijan people and their Turkish history. In the old alphabet, “Azerbaijan” is written with eight letters. It also reflects a great deal of history and is quite often explained as Turkism, Islamism, Modernity, Statehood, Democracy, Azerbaijanism and Culture. The star in the Azerbaijan flag has been used in architectural designs. Bahamas Bahamas Flag Description: The islands of the Bahamas has been known to be one of the best tourist destinations because of the amazing waters of the Caribbean Sea. And this beauty is reflected by its flag. The Bahamian flag has a black chevron situated on the hoist area, with aquamarine, for top and bottom, and yellow/gold horizontal stripes. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Bahamas) Bahamas Flag Meaning: The Bahamian flag has different meanings, with a combination of culture, politics and way of life. The aquamarine depicts how the country is surrounded by the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The yellow or gold depicts the golden sands of the islands, its land resources and the sun. Black defines the strong force and strength of the united people of the Bahamas. The chevron or equal sided triangle depicts the determination of the Bahamian people to develop all resources, from its land and the sea, towards a better Bahamas. (http://bahamasflag.facts.co/bahamasflagof/bahamasflag.php) (http://www.bahamianflag.com/) Bahamas Flag History: The Bahamas is known to be a crown colony of the United Kingdom from the year 1717. During the 1850’s, the defaced flag, bearing the British Blue Ensign and the emblem of the territory is used. However, it was not until 1964 that the emblem was approved. The negotiation for independence of the Bahamas from the United Kingdom came after the 1972 elections. A competition was held for the new flag but in the end, the chosen flag is the mixture of elements from various ideas. The new flag, bearing the black triangle, aquamarine and yellow or gold strips, was raised on the midnight of July 10, 1973. This was also the day the Bahama Islands became an independent country and was renamed as Bahamas. Interesting Bahamas Flag Facts: The Bahamian flag has been into controversies because of its use. It is known to be a flag of convenience; any domestic or foreign merchant vessel can be registered in the Bahamas, regardless of the country it’s from and has no restriction on the ship’s crew. This was under the Law of Merchant Shipping Act 1976 (amended in 1982). The law had loopholes and had a bad reputation. The negative circumstances brought by this law came to light when a Greek oil tanker flying the Bahamian flag split into two and sank in the Atlantic Ocean on November 2002. Bahrain Bahrain Flag Description: The flag of Bahrain has very similar features as that of the Qatari flag. It has serrated design on the flag, With the white serrations on the hoist area and red on the other. The serrations have five points. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Bahrain) Bahrain Flag Meaning: Red and white has been the traditional colors of the Persian Gulf States. The five serrations or triangles of white represents the Five Pillars of Islam. The five Pillars of Islam is known to be five basic acts in Islam. These are strictly followed by believers and the foundation of the Muslims’ lifestyle. (http://www.indexmundi.com/bahrain/flag_description.html) Bahrain Flag History: In the first version of the Bahrain flag, it was only pure red, known to have originated from the color of the Kharidjite or Ibadite Muslim sect. in 1820, after several push for the country to be a British colony, a strip of white was added to the flag on the hoist. This was mandated by the General Maritime Treaty. The use of the pure red flag, however, still remained until 1910. To distinguish the Bahrain flag fom its neighboring countries, a serration was added on the white strip in 1932, bearing twenty-eight points. In 1972, the points were reduced to eight. The current flag design that bears five points of the serration was approved in 2002. Interesting Bahrain Flag Facts: There are a total of nine Articles under the Law (4) 2002 for the use of the Bahrain flag. This was approved by the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Included on these rules are the use of flag for official protocol vehicles only. The flag is not be used for commercial purposes. The King shall have his own flag. Any ship entering the territory of the kingdom will fly the flag and remove it upon its exit from the territory. The last article of the law states that breaking the law will mean a month of jail time and fine. Bangladesh Bangladesh Flag Description: The flag of Bangladesh is a field of green with a large red disc slightly off set towards the hoist. The national flag was adopted in January 27, 1972. (http://bangladeshflag.facts.co/bangladeshflagof/bangladeshflag.php) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Bangladesh) Bangladesh Flag Meaning: The Bengali flag has two prominent colors that features Bangladesh’s history, resources and way of life. The green field represents the abundance of its land. It is also connected to Islam, being the favorite color of Muslim prophet Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. It also represents paradise, as the Quran has mentioned the color several times in relation to paradise. This representation, however, is debated upon and is said to be incorrect. Red, on the other hand, also holds great significance for the country. Red represents the blood spilled by the people who fought for Bangladesh. Like most countries, Bangladesh had its share of hardships as well. The red plate also symbolizes the rising sun over Bengal. Bangladesh Flag History: The first flag that flew in Bangladesh had more design than what it is now. The original design was made by the painter Quamrul Hassan and was first hoisted at the Dhaka University on March 2, 1971. The design had the same green field and red disk, but had a yellow map of the country on the red disk. The idea is to remove or exclude the crescent and star that symbolizes Pakistan. After being freed from Pakistan the current flag was adopted and the map was excluded as it may become difficult to make or reproduce the flag. The disk was also set slightly off going towards the hoist, so when it is hoisted the disk will look like it is in the middle. Bangladesh Afghan Flag Facts: The first person’s to fly the flag in 1971 were the vice president of the Dhaka University Student’s Union A. S. M. Abdur Rab at the university ground. But it was in June 6, 1970 that it was first conceived by a student union and activists of Shawdhin Bangla Nucleus at room 108 of Iqball Hall. The flag then were actually clothes donated by the owner of Apollo Tailors. Barbados Barbados Flag Description: Barbados, an island country in the eastern Caribbean, has a very interesting design for a map. The map is vertically divided in three bands, with ultramarine on each side and gold or yellow in the middle. In the middle of the golden band, a broken black trident can be seen. Barbados Flag Meaning: The Barbados flag depicts the sea, sand and freedom. The color ultramarine represents the Caribbean Sea that surrounds the island and its great marine resources. It also represents the blue, clear skies of Barbados. The golden band represents the sand on the island’s beach. The broken black trident is a symbol taken from the trident on Barbados’ colonial badge. Being broken represents the break from being a British colony. It also represents Neptune, the god of the sea. The points of the trident also holds significance, as it represents the three points of democracy: government of (1), for (2), and by the people (3). Barbados Flag History: The flag of Barbados was first adopted on November 30, 1966 after being under the British reign. The colonial badge sported the trident, thus it broken trident became symbolic for the people of Barbados. An open competition was held to determine the new flag. The winning design of the competition, which is now the Barbados flag, was won by Grantley W. Prescod. Interesting Barbados Flag Facts: The winning design for the Barbados flag came from 1,029 entries. Mr. Prescod was an educator and has served several years teaching. (http://foreign.gov.bb/pageselect.cfm?page=27) (http://www.barbados.org/emblems.htm#.VmUv2Pl97IU) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Barbados)\ Belarus Belarus Flag Description: The Belarusian flag has two horizontal bands of colors red and green, with the red covering two-thirds of the flag. The hoist area is adorned with a vertical red and white decoration. Belarus Flag Meaning: The Belarus flag may become interesting for the eyes because of its unique vertical design on the hoist area, but this is not the only thing that’s interesting. The dominant color red reflects its history, being part of the Soviet Union before. The red also represents the struggle of the country to be freed from the same clutches of the Soviet Union. The green color of the flag reflects the country’s drive for peace. It also reflects the countries aim to revive their forests. The white and red designs on the hoist area shows the rich culture of the land and the unity of its people. It also shows their people’s faith. Belarus Flag History: Before Belarus became a republic of the Soviet Union, the country had a red white flag which was approved under the Belarusian People’s Republic of 1918 and was used once again after it was freed from the Soviet Union. During the reign of the Soviet Union in 1951, the flag has almost the same design as today’s flag but with a yellow hammer, sickle and star, the symbol of communism. Also, the pattern on the flag is white drawn on red. The white red flag was then restored after the country’s freedom. From 1991 to 1995, the white-red-white flag was hoisted, adapting the 1918 flag. It was on June 5 1995 that the country adapted the flag used during the Soviet reign but without the communist icon. The pattern on the hoist are was replaced with red patterns drawn on white background. The latest update made was in 2012 still within the design approved in the 1995 referendum. Interesting Belarus Flag Facts: The pattern on the flag was made by Matrena Malkervich in 1917. The pattern is very common design for clothes and most common for rushnik, a woven towel used for important ceremonies and occasions. The pattern is inspired the local flowers and plants of Belarus. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Belarus) (http://www.worldflags101.com/b/belarus-flag.aspx) (http://belarusflag.facts.co/belarusflagof/belarusflag.php) (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/europe/belarus.htm) Belgium Belgium Flag Description: The flag of Belgium consists of three vertical bands after the French tricolor flag. From hoist area, the flag is equally divided to the colors black, yellow and red. Belgium Flag Meaning: The flag of Belgium’s color was taken from its coat of arms, the Duchy of Brabant. The coat of arms is a black shield with a golden or yellow lion with red claws and tongue. These colors were and the design of the coat of arms was used during the Eighty Years’ war and was eventually adopted on Belgium’s flag. Belgium Flag History: Belgium was a part of decades of war and also had several changes for its flag, each one adapting to the country that reigned over it. The present territory of Belgium became a part of Lotharingia, except for the County of Flanders, and had a flag that has two horizontal red stripes separated by a white stripe. By the time that Spain ruled Belgium, the colors used for the flag used were red, white and yellow. When the Austrian ruled the land, the Austrian flag was adopted by the country, in accordance to the Austrian king’s approval, after several flags were tried. On the day after the riot in Brussels Opera and the start of the Belgian Revolution, the French flag was flown. This was August 26, 1830. However, the French flag was immediately replaced with the design that will be used until today. By January 23, 1831, the horizontal stripes of black yellow and red were changed to vertical stripes. Interesting Belgium Flag Facts: The flag was believed to sympathize with the French but also to separate them from the Dutch. This is why the bands on the flag of Belgium is vertical. (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/europe/belguim.htm) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Belgium) (http://belgiumflag.facts.co/belgiumflagof/belgiumflag.php) (http://www.learn-french-help.com/flag-of-belgium.html) (http://www.vexillologymatters.org/belgium-flag.htm) Belize Belize Flag Description: The flag of Belize consists of the country’s coat of arms on the center of a blue field. The blue field has thin red stripes on the bottom and top. The coat of arms of Belize has a circle of 50 mahogany leaves. Inside the circle is a shield supported by two men of different shades of brown, the men on the left carries an axe, the other an oar. The shield is separated in three; two parts of the upper shield contain the tools of a woodcutter and a ship on the lower part of the shield is a ship. Beneath the shield is the Belize motto: Sub Umbra Floreo. A mahogany tree is also seen in the middle of the men, just above the shield. Belize Flag Meaning: The blue field in the Belize flag represents the PUP or People’s United Party and UDP or United Democratic Party, the country’s national parties. Red were added on the flag upon the independence of the country. The shield on the other had represents the country’s national strong dependence on mahogany industry during the 18th and 19th century. The motto found on the coat of arms also shows reflects the importance of mahogany, as the Latin words translates to “Under the shade I flourish.” Belize Flag History: Belize was a British colony and a similar Flag of Honduras was used during the British reign. The design for the coat of arms was obtained by the British Honduras on January 28, 1907 and became the basis of the Belize coat of arms. When the country is starting to develop the need for independence, an unofficial flag was used from 1950-1981. In 1981, Belize gained its independence and on September 21, 1981, the Belize flag was adopted. It was the same day of Belize’s independence. Interesting Belize Flag Facts: Mahogany, which is very prominent in the Belize flag, is the country’s treasure. Mahogany became a major export of the country upon the arrival of the Brits. This tree is still a great source of income for the country as it still is one of the largest exporter of mahogany. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Belize) (http://www.belize.com/belize-flag) (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/camerica/belize.htm) (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/belize/bzflags.htm) Benin Benin Flag Description: The Benin flag has two horizontal bands and one vertical band. The vertical band is on the hoist area with the color green. The top horizontal band is yellow, while the bottom is red. Benin Flag Meaning: The Benin flag carries several meanings, including its historical background and politics. The vertical green band represents hope and revival for the country. Yellow represents the country’s continuous effort of preserving its wealth. Red represents the strength and courage displayed by the country’s ancestors. Green and yellow also represents the northern savannas and the southern part of the country that has palm groves. Red, just like most countries, also represent the bloodshed in the country. These three colors combined represents the Pan-Africanist movement. It is also a way of honoring Ethiopia, the oldest independent country of Africa and the only one, besides Liberia, to remain independent during the Scramble of Africa. Benin Flag History: During the time of colonization, the French authorities did not allow the country to have any flag, believing that this would help them suppress any nationalistic sentiment that the citizens may have. With the decolonization of Africa, the French were obliged to give the rights to the people of Benin to choose and fly their own flag. The search for national flag commenced and on November 16, 1959, the flag was officially adopted. However, in 1972 coup d’état, the country adopted the Marxist-Leninist belief and the new government changed the flag into a green field with a red, five-pointed start on the upper portion of the hoist area. With the weakening of the country’s wealth and the Soviet Union from the Revolutions of 1989, the socialist regime was replaced. And on August 1, 1990, the Benin flag was reinstated. Interesting Benin Flag Facts: The Benin’s Flag Day is celebrated every November 30 and is also a holiday called Anniversary of Country’s Name Change 1975. The Benin flag is also given credit in the Benin National Anthem. (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/africa/benin.htm) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Benin) (http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/benin-flag.html) (http://www.learn-french-help.com/flag-of-benin.html) Bhutan Bhutan Flag Description: The Bhutan’s flag is separated diagonally at the center, with the upper triangle in yellow and lower in orange. In the middle, a white dragon is aligned on the center of the dividing lines of the triangles. The dragon clutches a norbu or jewel in each claw. Bhutan Flag Meaning: The Bhutan flag is a combination of belief, way of life of its people, the authority of its king and the nation’s wealth. Yellow represents the authorities of the country, particularly the Dragon King of Bhutan. It is said to have been taken from the King’s wardrobe which includes a yellow kabney or scarf. The orange half of the flag represents the country’s faith, Buddhism. Buddhists commonly use orange clothing. White, which is the dragon’s color, represents the purity of intent and loyalty. The dragon, or Thunder Dragon or Druk, represents the people’s strength. It is also going upwards away from the hoist, indicating commitment of the gods to protect its people from external harm. The jewels on the Druk’s claws represent the wealth of the country. Bhutan Flag History: The first flag of Bhutan was designed under the request of King Jigme Wangchuk. In 1949, the flag was introduced during the signing of Indo-Bhutan Treaty; the design of the flag and embroidery of the flag is credited from Mayeum Choying Wongmo Dorji and Lharip Taw Taw, respectively. The first flag was also diagonally separated, this time with yellow on top and red at the bottom. The turquoise Druk is on the middle but changed to white through the course of time. In 1956, the king ordered Dasho Shingkhar Lam to make changes for the flag, reason being that the king is dissatisfied by the way the flag flutters and how the Druk faces the earth when the flag is limp. Bhutanese artist Kilkhor Lopen Jada designed the new dragon, with a more relaxed feature and will not face down even when the flag is limp. Red was replaced with orange somewhere between 1968 and 1969. Flag size and protocol was finalized on June 8, 1972. Interesting Bhutan Flag Facts: The flag day of Bhutan is also the National Day, but does not commemorate the flag. The day is instead dedicated to the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan who was crowned on December 17, 1907. (http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/bhutan-flag.html) (http://famouswonders.com/flag-of-bhutan/) (http://www.himalaya2000.com/bhutan/national-symbols/national-flag.html) (http://researchmaniacs.com/Flags/Countries/Bhutan.html) (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/asia/bhutan.htm) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Bhutan)