The Flag of Cyprus
The national flag of Cyprus consists of a map of the entire island and two olive branches below it on a white background. The map is colored in a copper-orange shade, symbolizing the large deposits of copper ore on the island, from which it may have received its name. The olive branches are a symbol of peace, representing the peaceful nature and the hope for reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island.
History of The Flag of Cyprus
The flag of Cyprus was officially adopted on August 16, 1960, following the country's independence from British rule. The design was the result of a national competition aimed at finding a symbol of peace and unity that could represent all Cypriots, regardless of ethnic background. The white background was chosen to symbolize peace, while the map and olive branches were added to emphasize the aspirations for harmony between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. Before this flag, Cyprus had no distinctive national flag of its own and typically used the flags of Greece or Turkey for official purposes, depending on the ethnic background of the community. The creation of the flag was part of the broader efforts to establish a unified Cypriot identity and promote peace on the island.