This Week In Vexillology #21

Kids, I'm kind of excited for this week because we've got one of the most interesting countries in Europe. An island nation and a divided nation, it's home to the last divided capitol in Europe and wonders such as these- yes, get your olive branches and sun tan lotion ready because this week, it's Cyprus!

Adopted for national and civil usage on August 16th, 1960, the flag has a white background. The outline of the island of Cyprus is yellow or copper which recalls the origins of the country's name, the Isle of Copper. The two olive branches signify peace between the Turks and the Greeks. The use of peaceful and neutral symbols in the flag was deliberate- at independence, they were hoping to defuse rising inter-communal tension between the Greeks and Turks.

Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful- a Turkish invasion in 1974 saw them occupy the northern part of the island to form the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, whose flag looks like this:

This flag draws much of it's symbolism and design from the flag of Turkey- and sure enough, it seems that the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is flown mainly from government and public buildings- while the law states that the Turkish flag shall be the national flag of the people of Northern Cyprus. (At least, that's what I found over here... along with some remarkably specific instructions on the design of the flag of the TRNC.)

In recent years, there have been attempts at reconciliation between the two halves of Cyprus- all of them unsuccessful so far sadly though, Cyprus remains an island that is no stranger to conflict. It's traded hands many times over the centuries after it was founded in 1193. It was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571 (increasing Turkish settlement) and passed into British control in 1870. The national emblem is that of the dove holding the olive branch in its beak- a symbol of peace that is drawn from the Biblical story of Noah and the Ark. For fans of Greek mythology, the dove is also symbolic of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite- who, the story goes rose from the sea in shell off of Cyprus. (Being Greek mythology, we should also note that it was after Zeus castrated Cronos and threw his testicles into the sea, they caused the sea to foam and from that foam rose Aphrodite and her sea shell.)

Yes, it's a pair of interesting flags from an interesting country that I want to visit someday. So put your hands together for Cyprus! And remember until next time, keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise!