National Flags

World Flags List & Maps

One of the most popular uses of a flag is to symbolize a nation or country. Some national flags have been particularly inspirational to other nations, countries, or subnational entities in the design of their own flags. Some prominent examples include:

• The flag of Denmark is the oldest state flag Dannebrog, inspired the cross design of the other Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and regional Scandinavian flags for the Faroe Islands, Åland, Scania and Bornholm, as well as flags for the non-Scandinavian Shetland and Orkney.
• The Union flag (Union Jack) of the United Kingdom is the most commonly used. British colonies typically flew a flag based on one of the ensigns based on this flag, and many former colonies have retained the design to acknowledge their cultural history. Examples: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and also the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia, and the American state of Hawaii.
• The Tricolour of The Netherlands is the oldest tricolor, first appearing in 1572 as the Prince’s flag in orange–white–blue. Soon the more famous red–white–blue began appearing — it is however unknown why, though many stories are known. After 1630 the red–white–blue was the most commonly seen flag. The Dutch Tricolor has inspired many flags but most notably those of Russia, India, New York City, South Africa (the 1928-94 flag), and France, which spread the tricolor concept even further. The flag of the Netherlands is also the only flag in the world that is adapted for some uses, when the occasion has a connection to the royal house of the Netherlands an orange ribbon is added.

• The national flag of FranceTricolore was designed in 1794. As a forerunner of revolution, France’s tricolour flag style has been adopted by other nations. Exampless: Italy, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Haiti, Romania, Mexico.
• The flag of the United States, also nicknamed The Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. In the same way that nations looked to France for inspiration, many countries were also inspired by the American Revolution, which they felt was symbolized in this flag. Examples: Liberia, Chile, Malaysia, Uruguay, and the French region of Brittany.
• The flag of Russia, the source for the Pan-Slavic colors adopted by many Slavic states and peoples as their symbols. Examples: Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bulgaria (with green replacing blue).
• The original tricolor flag of Iran, the source for the Pan-Iranian colors Green, White and Red adopted by many Indo-Iranian or Aryan states and peoples as their symbols. Examples: Tajikistan, Kurdistan, Republic of Ararat, Talysh-Mughan. Some of Iran’s non-Iranian neighboring countries also adopted these colors see Kuwait and Oman.
• Ethiopia was seen as a model by emerging African states of the 1950s and 1960s, as it was one of the oldest independent states in Africa. Accordingly, its flag became the source of the Pan-African colors, or “Rasta colors” to the ill-informed. Examples: Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Mali.
• The flag of Turkey, which was the flag of the Ottoman Empire, has been an inspiration for the flag designs of many other Muslim nations. During the time of the Ottomans the crescent began to be associated with Islam and this is reflected on the flags of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Comoros, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan and of Tunisia.
• The Pan-Arab colors, green, white, red and black, are derived from the flag of the Great Arab Revolt as seen on the flags of Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine.
• The Soviet flag, with its golden symbols of the hammer and sickle on a red field, was an inspiration to flags of other communist states, such as East Germany, People’s Republic of China, Vietnam, Angola, Afghanistan and Mozambique.
• The flag of Venezuela, created by Francisco de Miranda to represent the independence movement in Venezuela that later gave birth to the “Gran Colombia”, inspired the individual flags of Colombia and Ecuador, both sharing three bands of color and three of them (Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) sharing the yellow, blue and red.
• The flag of Argentina, created by Manuel Belgrano during the war of independence, was the inspiration for the United Provinces of Central America’s flag, which in turn was the origin for the flags of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

National flag designs are often used to signify nationality in other forms, such as flag patches. [Flagslist.com]

About the Author

National flag & Army flags hoisted in Elaphant Pass. Wanni Operation 10 th January 2009

International Flag Toothpicks, 200pcs – Cute for Cupcakes! $4.90 These International flag picks include 5 national flags that American, sweden, English, Mexico and Japan. Those are perfect for the National holiday like 4th of July or Memorial Day picnic! These picks measure 2 1/2″ and each ones has an flag. Use for cheese squares, hors d’oeuvres, canaps, fruit and any finger food for a bit of patriotic flair. 200 toothpick flags . WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Smal…

Peace Symbol Magnet of US Flag by MEYOTO LLC $7.95 The idea that led to its birth lies in the notion that as a general rule most people aspire to live in peace, whoever and wherever they are. The purpose is to unite like-minded individuals into a single voice on a global scale by utilizing the well-known graphic peace icon decorated with stylized national flag photographs. Displaying MEYOTO demonstrates the willingness to participate in a communit…

NFL Denver Broncos Single Tumbler $5.09 20-ounce insulated tumbler looks & feels like colored glass but is durable, dependable and shatter-proof acrylic. Whether drinking hot or cold, always comfortable to the touch. Hand Wash recommended. Not microwave safe. Made in China. · Insulated for hot or cold beverages · 20oz fill capacity · Bright team colors and logo to show your fandom…

God Bless America: The Ultimate Patriotic Album $9.78 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Stars & Stripes: America’s Greatest Hits $6.34 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Star Spangled Banner [Accompaniment/Performance Track] $9.95 Performance Track For Soloists Features: Demonstration Vocals – High Key With BGV’s – High Key Without BGV’s – Low Key With BGV’s – Low Key Without BGV’s – 5 Total Tracks – High Key (A) – Low Key (E)…

Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Design Mouse Pad $11.85 This is a special order item and takes longer to leave our warehouse, which is reflected in the estimate above These full color mouse pads are made from the highest quality natural open cell rubber. The non-skid surface and brilliant full color graphics guarantees a desktop impact. The custom shapes make it easy to showcase your favorite team….

GelaSkins for The New iPad and iPad 2 (Café at Night) $29.95 GelaSkins are removable vinyl skins for protecting and customizing your portable devices. They feature photo-quality graphics ranging from fine art prints to contemporary urban images designed by our growing family of artists from around the world. GelaSkins protect your New iPad and iPad 2 with a durable anti-scratch, anti-UV coating. The removable skins are thin enough that they won’t interfere …

GelaSkins for The New iPad and iPad 2 (Anise No 28) $29.95 GelaSkins are removable vinyl skins for protecting and customizing your portable devices. They feature photo-quality graphics ranging from fine art prints to contemporary urban images designed by our growing family of artists from around the world. GelaSkins protect your New iPad and iPad 2 with a durable anti-scratch, anti-UV coating. The removable skins are thin enough that they won’t interfere …

National Observances [VHS] …