# flag of Greece

> national flag of the Hellenic Republic

**Wikidata**: [Q129132](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129132)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Greece)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-greece

## Summary
The flag of Greece is the national flag of the Hellenic Republic, officially adopted on March 15, 1822, and featuring a blue field with a white cross. It represents Greece's identity, sovereignty, and historical continuity, serving as a primary national symbol in both domestic and international contexts.

## Key Facts
- **Official Adoption:** March 15, 1822, during the Greek War of Independence.
- **Design:** A blue field with a white cross, symbolizing the Greek Orthodox Church's influence.
- **Variations:** Includes historical versions, such as the flag of Rigas Feraios (1822–1827) and the naval ensign (1863–1924, 1935–1970).
- **Dimensions:** Standardized at 9:16 ratio, with specific color specifications (Pantone 280C for blue, Pantone White for the cross).
- **Classification:** Subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol" in structured knowledge bases.
- **Multilingual Terms:** Known as *Greek flag*, *Greece flag*, *flag of the Hellenic Republic*, and translations in 66+ languages (e.g., *Σημαία της Ελλάδας* in Greek, *Vlag van Griekenland* in Dutch).
- **Digital Representation:** Linked to Wikimedia Commons (Category:Flags by country) and OpenStreetMap (`flag:type=national`).
- **Authority Identifiers:** Includes GND ID (4171215-8), NDL Authority ID (00959028), and YSO ID (17659).
- **Related Entities:** Connected to "gallery of sovereign-state flags" and "timeline of national flags."
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Articles in 66+ languages, with the main category "Category:National flags."
- **Notable Images:** Includes Flag of Greece.svg, Flag of Greece (1822–1978).svg, and Greek merchant navy flag.svg.

## FAQs
**What does the flag of Greece represent?**
The flag of Greece represents Greece's national identity, sovereignty, and historical legacy. It embodies the country's values and continuity, serving as a visual symbol of its political and cultural unity.

**How has the flag of Greece evolved over time?**
The flag has undergone minor variations, including historical versions like the flag of Rigas Feraios (1822–1827) and naval ensigns (1863–1924, 1935–1970). The current design remains consistent with its 1822 adoption.

**Where can I find official images of the flag of Greece?**
Official images are available on Wikimedia Commons under "Category:Flags by country" and linked to specific files like Flag of Greece.svg. The entity is also tagged in OpenStreetMap as `flag:type=national`.

**What are the color specifications for the flag of Greece?**
The flag features Pantone 280C blue and Pantone White for the cross, standardized to a 9:16 aspect ratio.

**How is the flag of Greece classified in knowledge systems?**
In structured databases like Wikidata, it is classified as a subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol," emphasizing its role as a designed graphic and cultural emblem.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Greece is a cornerstone of Greek national identity and international diplomacy. Adopted during the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), it symbolizes the country's sovereignty and resistance against foreign rule. Its design, featuring a blue field with a white cross, reflects Greek Orthodox Christian heritage and historical continuity. The flag governs maritime signals, diplomatic protocols, and national ceremonies, reinforcing Greece's presence in the global arena. Its strict regulation and widespread recognition underscore its role as the preeminent visual identifier of Greece, connecting citizens and the international community.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance:** Officially adopted on March 15, 1822, during the Greek War of Independence, making it one of the oldest continuously used national flags.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Mapped in 66+ Wikipedia languages and linked to national thesauri like YSO (Finnish/Swedish) and NDL (Japan).
- **Structured Data Hub:** Anchored in global knowledge systems with identifiers like GND (4171215-8) and NDL (00959028).
- **Digital Representation:** Centrally curated in Wikimedia Commons (Category:Flags by country) and tagged in OpenStreetMap.
- **Design Consistency:** Maintained a uniform design since 1822, with only minor historical variations.
- **Interdisciplinary Role:** Classified as both a "flag design" (vexillology) and "national symbol" (political science), highlighting its cultural and aesthetic significance.

## Body
### Definition and Core Classification
The flag of Greece is the official national flag of the Hellenic Republic, defined as a "national flag" in structured knowledge bases. It is a subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol," reflecting its dual role as a designed graphic and cultural emblem. The flag represents Greece as a sovereign state, embodying its identity, sovereignty, and historical continuity.

### Historical Evolution
The flag was officially adopted on March 15, 1822, during the Greek War of Independence. It features a blue field with a white cross, symbolizing the Greek Orthodox Church's influence. Historical variations include the flag of Rigas Feraios (1822–1827) and naval ensigns (1863–1924, 1935–1970). The current design remains consistent with its 1822 adoption.

### Design and Specifications
The flag's design consists of a blue field with a white cross, standardized to a 9:16 aspect ratio. Color specifications include Pantone 280C for blue and Pantone White for the cross. Notable images include Flag of Greece.svg, Flag of Greece (1822–1978).svg, and Greek merchant navy flag.svg.

### Multilingual and Cultural Representations
The flag is known by multiple terms across languages, including *Greek flag*, *Greece flag*, *flag of the Hellenic Republic*, and translations like *Σημαία της Ελλάδας* (Greek) and *Vlag van Griekenland* (Dutch). It is documented in 66+ Wikipedia languages and linked to national thesauri like YSO (Finnish/Swedish) and NDL (Japan).

### Authority and Database Identifiers
The flag is anchored in global knowledge systems with identifiers like GND ID (4171215-8), NDL Authority ID (00959028), and YSO ID (17659). It is also tagged in OpenStreetMap as `flag:type=national` and associated with the booru tag `national_flag`.

### Digital Ecosystem and Tagging
The flag is centrally curated in Wikimedia Commons under "Category:Flags by country" and linked to a "gallery of sovereign-state flags." It is also connected to a "timeline of national flags," providing a historical context for its evolution.

### Scope and Cross-Wikipedia Presence
The flag's Wikipedia presence spans 66+ languages, with the main category "Category:National flags." The entity is consistently titled "Flag of Greece" across all language editions.

### Related Historical and Topical Context
The flag is connected to broader topical resources, including a "timeline of national flags" and the "history_of_topic" link. Its main category is "Category:National flags," organizing all specific country flag pages.

### Structured Properties
Key properties from Wikidata include:
- **P18:** Flag of Greece.svg, Flag of Greece (1822–1978).svg, Greek merchant navy flag.svg.
- **P41:** The national flag of Greece, 12-29-2019.jpg.
- **P373:** National flag of Greece.
- **P487:** 🇬🇷.
- **P646:** /m/01gjjg.
- **P989:** Nl-Vlag van Griekenland-article.ogg.
- **P1417:** topic/flag-of-Greece.
- **P1448:** Σημαία της Ελλάδας, Σημαία της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας.
- **P1449:** Γαλανόλευκη, Κυανόλευκη.
- **P2581:** 01530959n.
- **P2716:** Administrative flags of Greece.
- **P3089:** gr.
- **P4342:** Hellas'_flagg_og_våpen.
- **P5555:** Flag of Greece (construction sheet).svg.
- **P8253:** greece-e5dc93.
- **P12086:** Vlag_van_Griekenland.

## References

1. [Source](https://search.et.gr/el/fek/?fekId=692781)
2. [Hellenic Parliament](https://web.archive.org/web/20240705122112/https://foundation.parliament.gr/sites/default/files/2020-08/16small.pdf)
3. [Source](https://search.et.gr/el/fek/?fekId=629174)
4. [Source](https://www.rhigassociety.gr/new/pdf/stratigiko_sxedio.pdf)
5. [Source](https://search.et.gr/el/fek/?fekId=628377)
6. [Source](https://search.et.gr/el/fek/?fekId=630127)
7. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20070402084632/http://www.army.gr/n/g/publications/articles/GreekFlag0/GreekFlag1/)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](https://anemi.lib.uoc.gr/php/pdf_pager.php?rec=/metadata/a/f/b/metadata-01-0002588.tkl&do=279838_10.pdf&pageno=268&pagestart=1&width=662&height=963&maxpage=1104&lang=en)
10. BabelNet
11. Name Suggestion Index