Flag of Cyprus

The article provides an overview of the history of the flags of the national territories in Cyprus .

history

In 1878 Cyprus came under British control. In 1881 the colony received its own flag, a Blue Ensign with the emblem of Cyprus that showed the letters CHC for Cyprus High Commissioner on a white disk . In 1905 Cyprus received a new emblem from Edward VII : two red heraldic leopards (i.e. lions with their faces turned towards the viewer) on a white background. They were originally the symbol of the English King Richard I , who conquered the island in 1191. The emblem was introduced on the High Commissioner's Union Jack, but only on the Blue Ensign in 1922. Then, however, without the white disc. This in turn remained on the Red Ensign to separate the red leopards from the background.

^?British colonial flag, 1922 to 1960

Republic of Cyprus

For a few months, the Republic of Cyprus , which was independent from 1960, used a flag that differed somewhat in design from today's flag. The outlines of the island were shown in gold, but the island area was white. On August 16, 1960 and in 2006 the flag was changed. Since the invasion of Turkey in the northern part of the island in the summer of 1974, the Republic of Cyprus has lost control of Northern Cyprus, but still maintains its rights to this area under international law.

3: 5 ^?Republic of Cyprus, April to August 1960

3: 5 ^?Republic of Cyprus, August 1960 to August 2006

3: 5 ^?Republic of Cyprus, since August 2006

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

On July 20, 1974, the Turkish armed forces began occupying Northern Cyprus . The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed on November 18, 1983, but has not yet been recognized by the international community with the exception of Turkey. The flag used since 1984 also has this limited international status. Between 1983 and 1984, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus used a flag in the reverse sequence of colors. The flag of Turkey is also often used unofficially .

^?Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 1983 to 1984
^?Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, since 1984

British military bases Akrotiri and Dekelia

The military bases in Akrotiri and Dekelia are considered British overseas territory and use the Union Jack as their flag. In the Zurich and London Agreements that initiated the independence of Cyprus, the former colonial power Great Britain, together with Turkey and Greece , decided that these bases should remain in the possession of Great Britain even after the creation of the Republic of Cyprus. Until then, they will use the Union Jack as British territory.

^?Union Jack

Draft for the Annan Plan

In the Annan plan was for the United Republic of Cyprus a new flag proposed. It consisted of horizontal stripes in the sequence blue-white- copper -white -red. The blue and red stripes are five times as wide as the white ones. The copper stripe is half the width of the flag. Blue stands for the Greek population, red for the Turkish population. Copper stands for the island as it is named after it and was the main export good in ancient times. The flag was one of several hundred proposals from an international competition.