Cyprus Flag & National symbols

As it is stated in the Cyprus history section, Cyprus has been ruled by many other civilizations over the years and was never a recognised country therefore it never had its own flag. Until 1960 when Cyprus was given its independence, there were two flags in Cyprus, the Greek and the Turkish representing the Greek - Cypriots and Turkish - Cypriots accordingly.

The current Cyprus flag which we have today is the result of a design competition stated that the blue and red colours should not be used as they represented Greece and Turkey. Also the flag should not have a cross or a crescent as the flag should remain neutral. The winner of the competition was İsmet Güney a Turkish Cypriot art teacher, and the design was chosen by President Makarios III and the Vice- President Fazil Küçük.

The flag is white and represents the peace along with the map of the island which is a copper – orange colour depicting the copper found in Cyprus which is also where Cyprus got its name from. It also has two olive branches below it which is another symbol of peace between the Greeks and the Turks. Even though the design is neutral the Turkish- Cypriot side never actually used it as they considered it to be associated with the Greek-dominant Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus Coat of Arms

Apart from the flag, Cyprus also has the Cyprus Coat of Arms. It displays a crest of green olive tree leaves which surrounds the shield. The shield is a copper- orange colour as the flag, which is associated with Cyprus. Inside the shield there is a white pigeon which has an olive tree branch in its mouth. Both the pigeon and the olive tree branch represent peace. There is also an inscription of the year 1960 which is the year which Cyprus received their independence.

Cyprus Constitution

Article 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus that was adopted on August, 16 1960 refers to the national flag:
1. The Republic shall have its own flag of neutral design and colour, chosen jointly by the President and the Vice-President of the Republic.
2. The authorities of the Republic and any public corporation or public utility body created by or under the laws of the Republic shall fly the flag of the Republic and they shall have the right to fly on holidays together with the flag of the Republic both the Greek and the Turkish flags at the same time.
3. The Communal authorities and institutions shall have the right to fly on holidays together with the flag of the Republic either the Greek or the Turkish flag at the same time.
4. Any citizen of the Republic or any body, corporate or unincorporated other than public, whose members are citizens of the Republic, shall have the right to fly on their premises the flag of the Republic or the Greek or the Turkish flag without any restriction.

Cyprus National Anthem

Greek version
Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη του σπαθιού την τρομερή, σε γνωρίζω από την όψη που με βια μετράει την γη. Απ’ τα κόκκαλα βγαλμένη των Ελλήνων τα ιερά, και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη, χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!

English Poetic Translation
I shall always recognize you by the dreadful sword you hold as the Earth with searching vision you survey with spirit bold From the Greeks of old whose dying brought to life and spirit free now with ancient valour rising let us hail you, oh Liberty!