KINGDOM OF GREECE

KINGDOM OF GREECE

MILITARY & NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

1822-1973

Notes

For most of the period between 1822 to 1973, when the monarchy was abolished by a military junta, Greece had two national flags: the plain cross flag and the cross-and-stripes flag. Generally, though not at all times, the former was used on land within Greece and the latter was used at sea and overseas. Blue and white are the Greek national colors, the cross is a symbol of Orthodox Christianity, and the nine stripes of the cross-and-stripes flag are said to correspond to the nine syllables of the war cry in the struggle for independence from Turkey: "Freedom or death."

The twentieth-century Kingdom of Greece used both flags, with the war flag, war ensign and naval jack being distinguished by the addition of a royal crown at the intersection of the cross. The air force flag has the crown in the first quarter with the blue-white-blue Greek roundel at the intersection of the cross. (The plain cross flag and its variants were abolished in 1970.)

Appointment and rank flags for government ministers and admirals were square versions of the plain cross flag, with stripes or stars added as required. An exception was the flag of the Minister of Marine, which was a square version of the naval ensign. The flags for admirals followed British practice: a plain cross for admirals, with one and two stars being added for vice-admirals and rear-admirals respectively. The broad pennant for commodores and the squadron commander's pennant bore a certain resemblance to the Danish naval ensign, possibly because the Greek royal house was Danish in origin.

The crowns were removed from all flags in 1973 when the monarchy was abolished, but otherwise Greek flags did not greatly change.

Flag Proportions: The Greek national flag and its variants have generally been made in 2:3 proportions. An exception was the cross-and-stripes flag and ensign of 1970-78, for which 7:12 proportions were specified.

Color Shades: Traditionally, a shade of light blue (somewhat darker than sky blue) has been employed for Greek national flags. In 1970, however, a much darker blue began to be used, as illustrated below for the 1970-73 naval ensign. The light blue shade was restored when a new flag law was passed in 1978, though the law does not specify an exact color shade.