Flag Information Code: FIAV

The Flag Information Code was adopted on August 27, 1981. The code has been amended only once, on July 5, 1995. The current text of the code is set out below. It contains the exact text as adopted and amended.

The International Federation of Vexillological Associations officially recognizes the following Flag Information Code and recommends its use to its members, to individual vexillologists, and to publishers and others concerned for flags.

FLAG INFORMATION CODE

Sec. 1

The Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques (FIAV) adopts this Flag Information Code and encourages its use by FIAV Members, individual vexillologists, publishers and others who study flags.

Sec. 2

The purposes of the Code are:

(a) to allow basic information about flags to be recorded and transmitted concisely, accurately, and in a manner which (1) insofar as possible eliminates misunderstandings and (2) which is both comprehensible to persons knowing different languages and easy to learn;

(b) to standardize knowledge of flags in order to facilitate comparative studies of flag characteristics;

(c) to provide a convenient system for researchers, publishers, and others to record data for personal use and for exchanges and publication of information; and.

(d) To eliminate, insofar as possible, the confusion that exists in the terminology employed by governments and others to describe national flags and their use.

Sec. 3 FLAG COLORS

(a) The following letters are adopted for use to indicate the colors of a flag in illustrations:

R (red)
O (orange)
Y (yellow)
V (green)
B (blue)
P (purple)
N (black)
W (white)
G (grey)
M (brown)
Au (gold)
Ag (silver)

(b) Colors other than those listed above are not abbreviated.