Jonah Patel
The colours of a nation's flag are often imbued with political significance, and the United States is no exception. The US flag's 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies, while the 50 white stars on a blue background represent the 50 states. The colours red and blue have become unofficially associated with the Republican and Democratic parties, respectively, and the term 'Purple America' has been used to describe the nation's mixed political leanings.
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What You'll Learn
The colours of the American flag
The American flag, also known as Old Glory, is a symbol of freedom and a source of pride for many Americans. It consists of 13 alternating red and white stripes and a union canton of 50 white stars on a blue field in the top left corner. The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies, and the 50 stars represent the 50 states of the United States. A star is added to the flag each time a new state joins the union. The colours red, white, and blue are often associated with the United States and feature prominently in various other symbols and seals of the nation.
The colours of the flag are also said to have symbolic meanings. The red stands for hardiness and valour, the white for purity and innocence, and the blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The flag's colours, along with its design, have remained largely unchanged since its adoption, with the exception of the number of stars, which has increased as new states have joined the union. The current version of the flag, with 50 stars, was adopted on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became a state.
The design of the American flag has its roots in the country's early history. The first official flag of the United States was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, during the American Revolutionary War. This early version, known as the "Stars and Stripes," had 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies and 13 stars to match. The design and colours of the flag have evolved over time, with various versions being used until the modern design was standardised.
The creation of the first flag is often attributed to Betsy Ross, a successful upholsterer and seamstress who produced flags for the government for over 50 years. Ross is credited with making the first "Stars and Stripes" flag and played a significant role in the early days of the American republic. The story of Betsy Ross and her contribution to the flag is a popular part of American folklore, although historians continue to debate the exact details of her involvement.
The American flag holds a significant place in American culture and is displayed in various contexts. It is flown outside homes, businesses, and government buildings, and Americans recite the pledge of allegiance before the flag as a sign of respect. The flag is also used in official ceremonies, such as Flag Day, and has been taken on missions into space by Apollo astronauts, who planted it on the moon. The flag is also flown at half-staff or half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning, such as in the event of the death of a government official, military member, or emergency first responder.
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The colours of other national symbols
The colours of a nation's flag are often considered its national colours and are frequently part of a country's set of national symbols. For example, the colours of the American flag—red, white, and blue—are often used as the national colours of the United States. The flag was designed by Betsy Ross, who recounted that she was asked to sew the flag by George Washington. The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the 13 white stars on a blue background represent a "new constellation".
India's national flag, a horizontal tricolour of India saffron at the top, white in the middle, and India green at the bottom, was officially adopted as the country's first national symbol when India gained independence from the British Raj in 1947. The top saffron colour indicates the country's strength and courage, the middle white band represents peace and truth, and the bottom green signifies the fertility and growth of the land. The flag features a navy-blue wheel, known as the Dharma Chakra, which represents the wheel from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Other national symbols of India include the Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, which is the national bird, and the Bengal tiger, Panthera tigris, which is the national animal. The national anthem, Jana-gana-mana, was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali and was officially adopted in its Hindi version on 24 January 1950. The state emblem, featuring four lions and the motto "Satyameva Jayate", was also adopted in 1947.
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Colours in politics
Colours have long been used to represent political ideologies, movements, or parties, with politicians often identifying themselves by wearing specific colours during public appearances. While the political associations of colours can vary across different countries, some general trends have emerged. For instance, the colour red often symbolises left-wing ideologies, leading to terms like "Red Army" and "Red Scare". On the other hand, blue is often associated with conservatism, as seen in countries like Australia, Singapore, and South Africa. Yellow is commonly linked to liberalism and right-libertarianism, while green politics takes its name from the colour associated with environmental concerns.
In the context of the United States, the terms "red states" and "blue states" have been used to categorise states based on their political leanings. The colour red is typically associated with conservative regions or individuals, while blue implies a more liberal orientation. This terminology was popularised by journalist Tim Russert during his coverage of the 2000 United States presidential election. However, it's important to note that these designations are simplifications, and the political landscape is often more nuanced, as seen in the case of "purple states" or "battleground states", where both Democratic and Republican candidates receive significant support.
In contrast to the United States, several countries associate blue with conservatism. For example, in Australia, the Liberal Party of Australia, a major centre-right conservative party, uses blue. Similarly, in Singapore, blue is linked to the ruling People's Action Party, and in South Africa, it is associated with liberal political parties like the Democratic Alliance. In South Korea, blue was traditionally used by conservative parties, although in recent years, the liberal Democratic Party of Korea has adopted this colour, making it an exception to the general association of blue with conservatism.
Beyond red and blue, other colours hold political significance. Black, for instance, is associated with anarchism, representing the lack of a state. In Italy, black is specifically linked to fascism as it was the official colour of the National Fascist Party. In the Islamic world, black flags are sometimes used by jihadist groups, and it is also the flag colour of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Yellow, while often associated with liberalism, has also been used in the Gadsden flag, a symbol of the American Revolutionary War, featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread On Me."
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Colours of other country's flags
The colours of a country's flag are often steeped in history and tradition, and each colour chosen usually has a symbolic meaning. The world's 196 countries tend to stick to a small palette when it comes to their flags. The most common colours are white, red, blue, green and yellow, with white being the most popular, appearing in 19.4% of all national flags. Red is the second most common, with the particular shade on the American flag also appearing in 14.3% of flags. The dark blue of the American flag's canton is shared by 13 other nations.
The popularity of these colours is also influenced by their historical and cultural significance. For example, the colours white and gold, related to the two metals of European heraldry, are often used in flags. The five major colours of European heraldry (black, red, green, blue, and purple) are also commonly used.
Some countries' flags feature colours that are unique to their region. For example, the flags of countries in the Middle East tend to feature darker shades of green, while countries in Western Europe tend to use brighter shades.
The flags of different territories within a country can also vary in colour. For example, the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha has several different flag colours for its territories: Ascension Island has a unique colour symbol, as does Saint Helena, and the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands.
The design and colours of a country's flag can evolve over time, reflecting historical and political changes. For example, the Merchant Flag of Germany used between 1946 and 1949 was designed to identify German ships according to international law during the Occupation Period.
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History of colours in flags
Flags are symbols that exemplify the values, history, and moral standing of the places or individuals they represent. The careful arrangement of colours and symbols on a flag illustrates the values, struggles, and aspirations of a community. Colours in flags are chosen for their symbolic meaning and their ability to convey messages and tell stories.
The most common colours in national flags are red, white, green, dark blue, yellow, light blue, and black. Red is often associated with passion, courage, and sacrifice. It is used to symbolise the bloodshed of those who fought for freedom and independence. Blue is frequently linked to calmness, harmony, and loyalty. It often represents the sky and the sea, two elements that hold deep significance for many cultures and nations. Green is the colour of nature, renewal, and growth, and it is commonly found in flags of countries with strong agricultural ties. Yellow is often associated with warmth, sunshine, and prosperity, and it may symbolise hope, optimism, and a bright future. White is frequently the colour of purity and peace, and it often stands as a backdrop to other colours and symbols. Black can symbolise strength and determination, as well as mourning and remembrance.
The colours and designs of national flags are usually not arbitrarily selected but rather stem from the history, culture, or religion of the particular country. Many flags can be traced to a common origin, and such "flag families" are often linked by common traditions and geography. The oldest European flags still in use are those that display the Christian cross, which was first extensively used in the Crusades. The flag of Denmark, the Dannebrog, is the oldest national flag still in use, dating back to 1478. It inspired the cross design of the other Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and regional Scandinavian flags for the Faroe Islands, Åland, Scania and Bornholm. The Dutch tricolour of red, white, and blue is the oldest tricolour, dating back to the ninth century. It has inspired many flags, including those of Russia, New York City, and South Africa. The French tricolour of blue, white, and red, designed in 1794, has also been widely influential, with its colours and style adopted by other nations to express their adherence to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity following the French Revolution.
Some flag colours are chosen to symbolise a country's history or natural features. For example, the blue and white of the Greek flag reflect the country's maritime history and the Aegean Sea. The green on the flag of Ireland pays tribute to the Emerald Isle's verdant countryside. The yellow on the Brazilian flag symbolises the country's rich gold mines and its aspirations for a prosperous future.
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