Coptic flag
The Coptic flag () was created in 2005 by Coptic activists in different countries to represent Coptic communities both in Egypt and in the Coptic diaspora. It is not recognized by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and it is not recognized by any official Coptic organization, but many Copts worldwide have adopted it as a symbol of Coptic identity. The Coptic flag has been officially recognized and adopted by the New Zealand Coptic Association and the Free Copts. Background. Copts voice opposition to many aspects of Egypt's political life. One of these is the present-day Egyptian  flag, which most Copts feel does not represent their Egyptian identity. The pattern closely resembles those of other Arabic-speaking countries, a symbol of Arab nationalism rejected by most Copts, along with the official title of the country "Arab Republic of Egypt", as if to distinguish between an Arab Egypt and the other that is not. In this respect, taking into consideration that Copts are especially unlikely to consider themselves as Arab, the current Egyptian flag alienates the Egyptian Christian minority in its homeland. The Coptic flag arose from the conviction that any ethnic group has a right to represent  itself through an emblem or a flag in its larger society and the world. It is in line with examples such as the flag of the Muslim Brotherhood and the flag of the Lebanese phalanges. Other examples include the flag of the Lebanese Hezbollah, the flag of the Aramean minority, which flies side by side with the Syrian national flag at Aramean churches; and the flag of the Assyrian minority, which flies side by side with the Iraqi national flag at Assyrian churches. Other examples include the flag of the Kurdish minority, which flies side by side with the Iraqi  national flag; the flag of the Berber minority, the flag of the Roma (Gypsy) minority and many other ethnic minorities throughout the world. Nevertheless, in view of the Copts' Egyptian patriotism and their attachment to their country, and from the standpoint of respecting the opinion of other Egyptians, Coptic or Muslim, who might consider the national flag representative, Copts continue to call upon respecting the current flag of Egypt. The Coptic flag came about as a compromise; one that represents the Copts and highlights their non-Arab, non-Muslim identity. Some Copts have begun using the new flag alongside the  official Egyptian flag. These Copts view it as a way to reconcile their pride in their ethnic Coptic identity with their allegiance and strong attachment to Egypt, as well as with their desire for peaceful coexistence with their compatriots. Symbolism. The Coptic flag consists of two main components: a blue cross and a colorful coat of arms. The black background behind the ornaments is a symbol of Kimi (), the Egyptian name of Egypt, which means the Black Land. Ancient Egyptians gave their country this name since the waters of the Nile used to bring black () soil during the inundation season  and deposit it on the banks of the Nile, thus fertilizing them. The contrast between the yellow and the black is a symbol of the Copts' Christian faith and Egyptian identity that still shine amid the darkness of the persecution they have been suffering over the centuries. Beneath these ornaments is a green line in the middle of the coat of arms, which represents the Nile Valley. Around it are two yellow lines that symbolize the Eastern and Western Deserts of Egypt. These two lines are in turn flanked by two blue lines that represent the Mediterranean Sea and the  Red Sea that enclose Egypt. Finally, these lines are separated by red lines symbolizing the blood of the Coptic martyrs, which has been shed all over Egypt since Egyptians adopted Christianity and until today.