The Flag of Greece
The pattern and colors of the Greek Flag haven't changed a lot since the
Revolution of the Greek Nation in 1821. Many people wonder why the founders of
the Hellenic Democracy have chosen the symbols, patterns and colors that appear
on the National Flag of Greece. It is difficult to unreveal the true intentions
of the people responsible for the selection of the flag. This is a personal
attempt to interpret the designs and colors of the flag and its relation to
Greece and Hellenism.
The design and patterns of the Flag
The number of the lines is based on the number of the syllables in the Greek
phrase: Ελευθερία ή θάνατος (Freedom or Death). Freedom or Death was the motto
during the years of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in the
19th century [There are claims that the number of lines reflects the number of
letters in the greek word for Freedom which equals 9]. This word stirred the
heart of the oppressed Greeks, it created intense emotions and inspired them to
fight and gain their freedom after 400 years of slavery.
The line pattern was chosen because of their similarity with the wavy sea that
surounds the shores of Greece. The interchange of blue and white colors makes
the Hellenic Flag on a windy day to look like the Aegean Pelagos. Only the
quaint islands are missing! The Greek Square Cross that rests on the upper
left-side of the flag and occupies one fourth of the total area demonstrates the
respect and the devotion the Greek people have for the Greek Orthodox Church and
signifies the important role of Christianity in the formation of the modern
Hellenic Nation. During the dark years of the Ottoman rule, the Greek Orthodox
Church helped the enslaved Greeks to retain their cultural characteristics: the
Greek language, the Byzantine religion and generally the Greek ethnic identity,
by the institution of the Crypha Scholia (hidden schools).
The Crypha Scholia were a web of schools that operated secretly throughout
Greece and were committed in transmitting to the Greeks the wonders of their
ancestors and the rest of their cultural heritage. Today, Christianity is still
the dominant religion among Greeks. Therefore the existence of the Cross is
justified.
The Colors of the Flag
Blue and White! These two colors symbolize the blue of the Greek Sea and the Whiteness of the restless Greeks waves! According to the mythic legends, the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodite emerged from these waves. In addition, it reflects the blue of the Greek Sky and the White of the few clouds that travel in it. There are some who suggest that the blue and white was symbolizes the similar color of the clothing (vrakes) of the Greek sailors during the Greek War of Independence.
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