Commonwealth of Nations flag
| Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2013 | |
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| Vexillological symbol : |
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| Aspect ratio: | 1: 2 |
| Officially accepted: | November 2013 |
The flag of the Commonwealth of Nations was adopted in its current form in November 2013, based on the 1976 design.
description
The flag shows a golden stylized globe on a blue background, surrounded by golden spears.
Redesign 2013
| Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations until 2013 | |
|---|---|
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| Vexillological symbol : |
?
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| Aspect ratio: | 1: 2 |
| Officially accepted: | March 26, 1976 |
The flag was originally designed so that the globe was surrounded by 61 radiating, roughly square, spears that form the letter "C" for "Commonwealth". The number of spears did not correspond to the number of member states (the Commonwealth never comprised 61 states), instead the large number represents the many ways in which the Commonwealth cooperates worldwide.
In 2013 the globe was tilted and the number of spears was reduced to 34. The colors used in the flag have also been slightly modified.
history
A first draft of a flag was shown on car pennants at the 1973 Commonwealth Government Conference in Ottawa , Canada . The flag design initiative is attributed to two Canadians: First Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Arnold Smith , and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau . The flag was officially adopted on March 26, 1976.
use
The Commonwealth of Nations flag flies at Marlborough House in London , the seat of the Commonwealth Secretariat, throughout the year and for a limited period in other locations where Commonwealth meetings, events or visits take place (e.g. meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government). The government of Canada has not determined whether the flag will be hoisted on Commonwealth Day , instead stipulating that the Union Jack will be hoisted on federal agencies that have a second flagpole . However, the Commonwealth flag is hoisted on the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh on Commonwealth Day on the fourth flagpole next to the Union Jack, the flag of Scotland and the European flag , all of which flutter daily.
Former Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Donald McKinnon promoted the flag-raising on Commonwealth Day and the Secretary-General's Office noted that “it is not the Union Jack - or the flag of any other Member State, on this matter - can be a substitute for the flag of the Commonwealth, which represents the union of 53 countries with their peoples ”.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Symbol and Flag. (No longer available online.) Commonwealth Secretariat, archived from original January 24, 2008 ; accessed on January 14, 2008 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Dean, Thomas: Commonwealth of Nations. Flags of the World , March 31, 2004, accessed January 14, 2008 .
- ^ The Royal Union flag. Department of Canadian Heritage, September 24, 2007; accessed January 14, 2008 .
- ^ School Pupils Help Parliament Mark Commonwealth Day. (No longer available online.) Scottish Parliament , March 13, 2001, archived from the original July 3, 2009 ; accessed on January 14, 2008 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Letter from the office of the Commonwealth Secretary-General. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on May 25, 2011 ; accessed on January 30, 2008 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
