National Flag of Greece.
This cotton Greek national flag is typical of Greek flags intended for use outside of Greece in that it has five blue and four white stripes. The white cross on blue is the flag for use on land, and formerly flown to represent the Greek government. (See ZFC1087)
The origins of the modern Greek flag can be traced to establishment of Greece as an independent state in 1822. The flag was retained after the establishment of the monarchy in 1832, and with or without various charges, has been in use ever since.
This is the type of flag which is routinely used by Greek troops serving outside Greece, at the United Nations and as a member of NATO.
Greece joined NATO on the 18th of February, 1952 in the same year as Turkey and together, these two nations form NATO's "Southern Flank," despite their history of conflict, cultural and religious differences.
Provenance: Acquired through purchase.
ZFC Collectible Flag
Sources:
Flag of Greece, Wikipedia, 30 April 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Greece
Greece, Flags of the World, 30 April 2012, from: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gr.html
NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 30 April 2012, from: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
