Fun With Flags: Symbolic Usage Of Colors

Welcome to the second edition of Fun with Flags where we delve into the exciting and mysterious world of Vexillology!  Here, we talk about more than just the patriotic element of flags and poke into the design elements and aspects of this broad field.

Symbols

Flags come with a range of different patterns and designs. Some have a combination of symbols such as stars, stripes and other historically and culturally relevant images.  

Some even showcase symbols like the national coat of arms of shields such as the Spanish flag.

Stars are a very commonly used icon in flags because they represent religious association, excellence and hint at the celestial nature of their existence as well.

Another common symbol is a crescent found mostly for countries which were historically Islamic or currently practice the Old Testament. These include Israel, Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, and Algeria.

Colors

Colors play a huge role and are a crucial element for vexillographers to help them study what they represent in the flag.

They symbolize various values and sometimes even hold religious significance to a nation’s history and cultural relevance.

The colors of a flag incite emotional value and significance.

Here are some of the most commonly used colors and what they mean:

1. Orange:Most often signifies valor and sacrifices made.
2. Red:This is a versatile color and can be representative of the type of governance such as a communist government in China. However, the Turkish flag is also red which represents secularism. It also represents qualities of power, revolution, and blood lost in sacrifice.
3. Yellow:Bright yellow hues are understood as a symbol of wealth and positivity and good energy.
4. Green:This can have religious meaning as well represent fertility for countries who have economies based on agricultural. It also signals hope and indicates freshness.
5. Blue:This represents freedom and good fortune.
6. White:  This is the purest color in the flag which universally signals peace and harmony.
7. Black:This can signify ethnic heritage and perseverance.

Most common color combinations

Here are some of the most common color combinations that appear in flags and what they signify.

• Red, yellow and green: This is most common in Pan-African Countries such as Ghana, guinea, Mali and Congo.
• Back, white, red and green:This is most common in Arab Nations such as Palestine, Jordon, Syria, Kuwait, and U.A.E.
• Blue, white and red:These are found mostly in Western countries such as European country flags as well as our very own Star-Spangled Banner.

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