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Greece: Evolution of the national flag. I - 1822-1828

Last modified: 2005-01-22 by ivan sache
Keywords: civil ensign | war ensign | war flag | cross (white) | cross (blue) |
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Official decree on the flag

In January 1822 the National Assembly adopted blue and white as the national colours. The flag was only determined on 15 March 1822 (Julian calender as used in Greece at the time) / 27 March (Gregorian calender), in accordance with Decree No. 540 by the Temporary Administration. This Decree determined:

  • a flag for the use of the armed forces at sea (war ensign);
  • a flag for armed forces on land (war flag);
  • a third flag for the use by merchant ships (civil ensign).

Two of the islands which played an important role in the revolution, Hydra and Samos, had already chosen a flag with blue and white colours before the Greek national flag was adopted.

Yannis Natsinas & Andre van de Loo, 14 March 2003

War ensign

[War ensign 1822]by Željko Heimer

The flag used by the armed forces at sea had nine horizontal stripes, alternatively blue and white, and a white cross on a blue square field in canton. This flag is today the Greek national flag.

War flag

[War flag 1822]by Ivan Sache

The flag used by the armed forces on land was blue with a white cross.

Civil ensign

[Civil ensign 1822]by Ivan Sache

The flag used by the merchant navy was blue with a blue cross on a white rectangular field in canton.