EUROPA - The European flag Europa The European flag The European flag symbolises both the European Union and, more broadly, the identity and unity of Europe. It features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. They stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity. History of the European flag The history of the flag goes back to 1955. The Council of Europe - which defends human rights and promotes European culture – chose the present design for its own use. In the years that followed, it encouraged the emerging European institutions to adopt the same flag. In 1983, the European Parliament decided that the Communities’ flag should be that used by the Council of Europe. In 1985, it was adopted by all EU leaders as the official emblem of the European Communities, later to become the European Union. In addition, all European institutions now have their own emblems .

Commemorative euro coin: 30 years of the EU flag To mark the 30th anniversary of the decision by EU leaders to adopt the flag as an EU emblem, the 19 euro area countries are issuing a special commemorative coin. Following an online competition held in 2015 by the European Commission, citizens and residents of the euro area selected the design created by Georgios Stamatopoulos, an engraver at the Bank of Greece. It comprises 12 stars that morph into human figures embracing the birth of a new Europe. Take a look at the winning design.

Reproduction in 2 colours white & blue (17 Kb) European Union This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website European Union Members of the European Union As of 1 July 2013, the 28 members of European Union are: The historical evolution of membership is: 1958: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands 1973: Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom 1981: Greece 2004: Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007: Bulgaria, Romania 2013: Croatia The European currency (euro) is used in 18 countries of the European Union forming the Eurozone: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain (since 1 January 1999); Greece (since 1 January 2001), although coins and notes were released only on 1 January 2002 for all these countries; Slovenia (since 1 January 2007); Cyprus and Malta (since 1 January 2008

); Slovakia (since 1 January 2009); Estonia (since 1 January 2011); Latvia (since 1 January 2014); and Lithuania (since 1 January 2015).

In spite of not being members of European Union, Andorra , the Holy See , Monaco and San Marino have adopted the euro as their currency, following a monetary agreement with the European Union. Kosovo and Monteneogro have also, unilateraly, adopted the euro as their currency. Ivan Sache, 1 January 2015 Flag of the European Union Quoting a document once available on the website of the Council of Europe: The debate on a flag for the Council of Europe begins in 1949 as soon as the Organisation comes into being. Jacques-Camille Paris, the first SG, asks the Bureau of the Assembly to examine the question of a flag in September 1949, but the Bureau decides that the question falls outside of its competence. The Secretariat receives a number of proposals from the public, many of which are still preserved in the Council of Europe Archives. Paul Lévy, Director of information, calls on local heraldic experts for assistance. The following year the Assembly's Committee on General Affairs calls for a series of measures - including a flag - to raise public awareness of "European union". The Assembly refers the question to its Committee on Rules and Procedures and Privileges.

This committee draws up a shortlist of 12 proposals, suggesting that it should be put to a vote of the members of the Assembly. Arsene Heitz, a Council of Europe employee working in the Mail Office, who is credited with the design that is eventually adopted, begins submitting designs for the flag in 1951 and continues to submit new designs up until until 1955. His first preference is for a flag based on the standard of Charlemagne. Almost 30 designs signed by Heitz are conserved in the Archives. Coudenhove Kalergi takes a keen interest in the events, first of all hoping that his own flag will be adopted. The Assembly organises the referendum in December 1951. Meanwhile Salvador de Madariaga (1886-1978) submits his own design of stars on a blue background "The European nations that were fully sovereign in 1938 will be represented each by a golden star on the spot occupied by its capital city on the map". The referendum produces a clear result in favour of the Kalergi proposal. This evokes a strong protest from the Turkish delegation, stating that a cross would not be acceptable to them.

There follows a long diplomatic pause in the search for a flag as the Secretariat reflects on how to respond to these events. Then the idea of a flag consisting of stars moves to the fore. Proposals based on stars, partly inspired by the USA flag, had already appeared among the 12 shortlisted for the Assembly referendum. The question is sent back to the Committee on Rules and Procedures and Privileges. The Committee nominates Bichet as rapporteur. In September 1953 Bichet produces a report proposing a white flag of 15 green stars. The Committee rejects this, preferring gold stars on a blue background, but retaining the 15 stars. The plenary Assembly then adopts this flag as its own emblem (25/9/53) and recommends that the Committee of Ministers follow suit. This provokes a strong protest from Germany, since the number of stars is linked to the number of member States, which clearly includes the disputed territory of the Sarre. The Germans argue that the Committee of Ministers are the only authority competent for choosing an emblem for the Organisation as a whole.

The Ministers' Deputies refer the question to the Joint Committee (15/5/54) and ask the Assembly to suspend their use of the flag. The Joint Committee concludes (19/5/54) that their must be a single emblem for the Organisation and that the Assembly must be associated with the choice, although the actual work will be overseen by the Committee of Ministers. The Ministers Deputies then set up an ad hoc expert committee of three members of the Assembly (including Bichet) and three heraldic experts to study the question. This committee produces a proposal (the "Bichet proposal") for a flag of eight interlocking rings , similar to the flag of the Olympic Games. This proposal is rejected by the Deputies (the Italians compared it to a telephone, the Germans to chains) in December 1954. In January 1955 the Secretariat mounts a mini-exhibition for the Deputies of new flag designs. From this two designs are short-listed, a Heitz design of 12 stars and the Madariaga design. The Deputies forward the two proposals to the Joint Committee, indicating their preference for the former.

In October 1955, the Assembly supports the 12 star flag (25/10/55) and recommends that the Ministers Deputies adopt it. The Deputies adopt it in December (9/12/55). In 1986 the Deputies "take note with satisfaction" of the Decision of the European Community to use the flag as well as the European Anthem. Phil Nelson, 21 October 2004 It was the European Parliament which took the initiative for a flag to be adopted for the European Community. In 1979 a draft resolution was presented, shortly after the first European elections held by universal suffrage. In a resolution adopted in April 1983 the Parliament decreed that the Community's flag should be that adopted by the Council of Europe in 1955. The European Council, meeting at Fontainebleau (France) in June 1984, stressed the importance of promoting the European image and identity in the eyes of its citizens and the world.

Then, in Milan (Italy) in June 1985, it gave its approval to the proposal of the Committee on a People's Europe (Adonnino Committee) that a flag should be adopted by the Community. The Council of Europe agreed to the use by the Community of the European flag that it had adopted in 1955 and Community institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986. Thus the European flag and emblem represent both the Council of Europe and the European Community (and the European Union, since the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty). It has now become the symbol par excellence of united Europe and European identity. The Council of Europe and the institutions of the European Union have expressed satisfaction with the growing awareness of the European flag and emblem among European citizens. The European Commission and the Council of Europe are responsible for ensuring that all uses of this symbol respect the dignity of the European flag and emblem, and for taking whatever measures are necessary to prevent misuse. David Crowe, 6 November 1998 The adoption process of the European Union flag is described in a paper published on 18 May 1999 in the French newspaper L'Alsace.

The paper reports research done in the elementary school Aristide Briand, under the guidance of the school teacher René Hurstel. The school is located in Benfeld, in Lower-Alsace between Strasbourg and Sélestat. The twelve yellow stars on a blue field were officially adopted as the symbol of the European Community on 26 May 1986. Adoption of a flag and an anthem was suggested during the European council held in Milan on 28 and 29 June 1985. In the beginning of 1986, the European Commission believed that adoption date of the flag and the anthem should be 9 May, the anniversary of Robert Schuman's declaration of 9 May 1950, which is considered as the founding act of the European Union. There were two proposals for the flag: a blue flag with a circle of twelve yellow stars and the letter E in the middle of the circle. the current flag (without the E), already adopted by the Council of Europe in 1955. During parliamentary sessions in Strasbourg, the Presidents of the Parliament, Commission, and Council of Ministers of the European Community often met for lunch meetings.

In March 1986, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Van den Brook met Jacques Delors (President of the Commission) and Pierre Pflimlin (President of the Parliament). Pfimlin is said to have initiated the discussion on the flag. He proposed the current flag and was supported by Delors. Ivan Sache, 6 April 2002 Number of stars on the flag of the European Union The number of stars on the flag of the European Union is definitively 12. In 1953, the Council of Europe had 15 members and its flag should have had one star for each member. The number of stars was not to alter if the number of members changed. However Germany objected to the number 15 because one of the members of the Council was Saarland , and 15 stars would imply "star" sovereignty for that region. France would not agree to 14 stars as that number would acknowledge the absorption of Saarland into Germany. 13 was ruled out for superstitious reasons.

12 was reckoned to be a "good" number because it had no political innuendo, and there are 12 signs of the zodiac; 12 hours on a clock; 12 months in a year; 12 apostles; 12 tables of Roman Law; and 12 starry crowns of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. David Prothero, 12 December 1996 The question of how many stars appear on the European Flag has arisen before. When Sweden, Finland and Austria were admitted in 1995, the number of member states increased from 12 to 15. Several cases exist where people assumed that the number of stars would also increase. A graphic with 15 stars appeared on BBC News for some days. I wrote and told them it was wrong and they reverted to the correct pattern. Despite this, the 15-star version still appeared occasionally. I eventually suggested that the incorrect graphic be destroyed so that it could not appear even by accident. They may have done so as it has not appeared since then. The other, more lasting case, has been with car stickers.

There are car stickers available, oval with the blue of the European flag and the stars and the white letters "GB" in the centre. Most of them have 12 stars, but there are some with 15. I have not yet discovered which company manufactures them. Michael Faul, 5 October 2001 On 16 April 2003, the editorial placed on the front page of La Nouvelle République was entitled Le drapeau aux 25 étoiles (The 25 star flag). This very unfortunate title is confirmed by the very unfortunate body of the article (paragraph 2): À compter du 1er mai 2004, tous ces états seront intégrés à l'Union,[...]. Le drapeau européen comptera alors 25 étoiles. (On 1 May 2004, all those States shall be incorporated to the [European] Union, [...]. The European Union flag will have 25 stars.) The last paragraph of the editorial mentions L'Europe à 25 étoiles (The 25 star Europe).

Ivan Sache, 17 July 2004 European symbols in the European Constitution The Convention published a proposal for the European Constitution ( text ). The symbols of the Union are described as follows: Part IV New Article IV-0 The symbols of the Union The flag of the Union shall be a circle of twelve golden stars on a blue background. The anthem of the Union shall be based on the Ode to Joy from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven. The motto of the Union shall be: United in diversity. The currency of the Union shall be the euro. 9 May shall be celebrated throughout the Union as Europe day. [The Convention considers that this Article would be better situated in Part I.] Pascal Vagnat, 10 July 2003 Unofficial flag of the European Community Flag used by the European Community - Tentative image by António Martins, 17 August 2005 An unofficial European Community flag was displayed on the occasion of a visit to the Commission (Berlaymont, Brussels) by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, 20 May 1985 ( photo ). The flag is blue with a yellow symbol, probably a single round "E".

Kristian Söderbergh & António Martins, 17 August 2005 The flag - The symbols of the European Union - CVCE Website Resources (64) The flag of the European Union Among the Union’s symbols, the flag with a circle of 12 golden stars on a blue background, adopted by the Council of Europe on 8 December 1955 and taken up by the Community in 1986, is obviously a symbol of identity par excellence. Any interpretation of the symbolism of the flag has to start from its symbolic and heraldic description. Its symbolic description states that ‘against the background of blue sky, twelve golden stars form a circle representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is fixed, twelve being the symbol of perfection and unity.’ The heraldic description states: ‘on an azure field, a circle of twelve golden mullets, their points not touching.’ The symbolic components to be considered are therefore: (a) the circle; (b) the stars, including their number and shape; (c) the colours. The circle first of all. A circle has no beginning or end, no direction or orientation, and is homogeneous, perfect and indivisible.

A circle leads back to itself and is therefore a symbol of unity, of the absolute and of perfection. In a circle, all the points of the circumference are equidistant from the centre. For this reason it is a good illustration of the union of the peoples of Europe to which the official symbolic description refers. However, it is just as good an illustration of the parity of the Member States. Second, the stars. They light the night sky and orbit around the polar star and are therefore perceived as symbols of the cosmic order. In flags, the star illustrates independence, unity, liberty, renewal and hope. It is not by chance that the flags of many former colonies contain stars, together, in many Islamic countries, with the crescent. When there is more than one star, they generally represent a unit of measurement, i.e. they number federal states (United States), provinces (Costa Rica, Venezuela), geographical areas (Philippines), parishes (Grenada), islands (Comoros, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe) and peoples (Burundi, Burma).

One of the features of the stars of the European flag is that they have five points which do not touch one another; they are also known as pentagrams or pentacles. Since five-pointed stars can be drawn with a single, unbroken closed line, the Pythagoreans gave them a mystical meaning of perfection. In the European flag, the pentagram fits in well with the circle, which is also a symbol of perfection. The five-pointed star is also the symbol of man as an individual possessing five fingers and toes, five senses and five limbs. If the points of the stars do not touch, this means that the circle is open. Symbolically, therefore, the European Union is not a closed society; it is not, as is often said with a negative connotation, a fortress; on the contrary, the European Union is above all open to the accession of the States of Europe and is an active member of the international community, being open to the outside world and playing its part in the life of international relations. The number of stars is fixed and was set at 12 in 1955. Twelve is considered to be an ideal number.

It provided the foundation of the Babylonian numerical system (called duodecimal for that reason). There are 12 signs of the zodiac, which therefore represent the universe. There are 12 months of the year, 12 hours of the day and 12 hours of the night, 12 Egyptian gods, 12 Olympian deities who formed the Greek pantheon from the 5th century BC, 12 laps in the chariot races of ancient Greece, 12 labours of Hercules in Greek mythology, 12 tables making up the first codification of Roman law, 12 knights of King Arthur’s Round Table in Celtic tradition and 12 gates of Paradise in Scandinavia. Twelve is also a number in Judaeo-Christian symbolism. The tree of life has 12 fruits; there are 12 sons of Jacob, 12 patriarchs, 12 tribes of Israel and 12 gates of the New Jerusalem.

Moses sent 12 explorers to the lands of Canaan, the bread multiplied by Jesus was placed in 12 baskets and Jesus speaks of 12 legions of angels after the kiss of Judas; lastly, there are 12 apostles. The number 12 is also the product of multiplying three, always a divine number (the trinity), by four, the number of the earth with its four cardinal points; 12 is therefore the symbol ‘of the union between the divine and the terrestrial world’, which, as we know, embodies the central mystery of Christianity. The number twelve together with stars, the crown of stars, reflects the vision of the Virgin Mary of the Book of Revelation (12:1) and is the symbol par excellence of popular Marian iconography. Lastly, the colours. The colours have their own expressive and symbolic value. The rectangle of the flag is blue, the colour of the sky and the universe. Blue is also traditionally the colour of the European continent. Many parliamentarians referred to this symbolism when the Council of Europe was preparing to adopt the flag. Lastly, blue is the colour of the Virgin.

Mary’s stone is the blue sapphire which, again in the Book of Revelation (21:19), adorns the foundation of the walls of the New Jerusalem; blue is the colour of Mary’s mantle. The European flag — it has been observed — therefore satisfies all the requirements of an ideal emblem: its good symbolism is simple and easy to interpret and is easily recognisable; it is harmonious, original and also simple to produce. It is therefore a perfect flag from a geometric, symbolic and political point of view. Publications Office — Interinstitutional style guide — Annex A1 — Graphics guide to the European emblem Annex A1 Graphics guide to the European emblem Council of Europe • European Commission The European flag 69 31 The European flag is not only the symbol of the European Union but also of Europe’s unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are 12 stars because the number 12 is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.

History of the flag Since its foundation in 1949, the Council of Europe has been aware of the need to give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants can identify. On 25 October 1955, the Parliamentary Assembly made the unanimous decision to adopt a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background as an emblem. On 8 December 1955, the Committee of Ministers adopted this as the European flag. The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly repeatedly expressed the desire that other European institutions should adopt the same symbol in order to strengthen the idea of solidarity between the different organisations in a united and democratic Europe. It was the European Parliament which took the initiative for a flag to be adopted for the European Community. A draft resolution was presented in 1979, shortly after the first European elections held by universal suffrage. In a resolution adopted in April 1983 the Parliament decreed that the Community’s flag should be that adopted by the Council of Europe in 1955. The European Council, meeting at Fontainebleau in June 1984, stressed the importance of promoting the European image and identity in the eyes of its citizens and the world.

Then, in Milan in June 1985, it gave its approval to the proposal of the Committee on a People’s Europe (Adonnino Committee) that a flag should be adopted by the Community. The Council of Europe agreed to the use, by the Community, of the European flag that it had adopted in 1955 and Community institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986. Thus the European flag and emblem represent both the Council of Europe and the European Union. It has now become the symbol par excellence of a united Europe and European identity. The Council of Europe and the institutions of the European Union have expressed satisfaction with the growing awareness of the European flag and emblem among European citizens. The European Commission and the Council of Europe are responsible for ensuring that all uses of this symbol respect the dignity of the European flag and emblem, and for taking whatever measures are necessary to prevent misuse. Introduction This graphics guide is intended to help users reproduce the European emblem correctly. It includes instructions on how to create the emblem and a definition of the standard colours. Symbolic description Against the background of blue sky, 12 golden stars form a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe.

The number of stars is fixed, 12 being the symbol of perfection and unity. Heraldic description On an azure field a circle of 12 golden mullets, their points not touching. Geometrical description The emblem is in the form of a blue rectangular flag of which the fly is one and a half times the length of the hoist. Twelve gold stars situated at equal intervals form an invisible circle whose centre is the point of intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle. The radius of the circle is equal to one-third of the height of the hoist. Each of the stars has five points, which are situated on the circumference of an invisible circle whose radius is equal to 1/18th of the height of the hoist. All the stars are upright — that is to say, with the top point vertical and two points in a straight line at right angles to the mast. The circle is arranged so that the stars appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock. Their number is invariable. Regulation colours The emblem The colours of the emblem are Pantone Reflex Blue for the surface of the rectangle and Pantone Yellow for the stars.

The international Pantone range is very widely available and easily accessible, even for non-professionals. Four-colour process If the four-colour process is used, it is not possible to use the two standard colours. It is therefore necessary to recreate them using the four colours of the four-colour process. Pantone Yellow is obtained by using 100 % ‘Process Yellow’. By mixing 100 % ‘Process Cyan’ with 80 % ‘Process Magenta’ one can get a colour very similar to Pantone Reflex Blue. Internet Pantone Reflex Blue corresponds to the web-palette colour RGB: 0/51/153 (hexadecimal: 003399) and Pantone Yellow corresponds to the web-palette colour RGB: 255/204/0 (hexadecimal: FFCC00). Monochrome reproduction process If only black is available, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black on white. If blue is the only colour available, use Reflex Blue at 100 % for the rectangle and leave the stars in white (negative). Reproduction on a coloured background The emblem is preferably reproduced on a white background.

Avoid a background of varied colours, and in any case one which does not go with blue. If there is no alternative to a coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, with the width of this being equal to 1/25th of the height of the rectangle. Examples of incorrect reproduction 1. The emblem is upside down. 2. The stars are not upright. 3. The stars are wrongly positioned in the circle: they must appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock. Use by third parties The principles of use of the European emblem by third parties have been set out in an administrative agreement with the Council of Europe. This agreement was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ C 271, 8.9.2012, p. 5).

According to this agreement, any natural or legal person (‘third-party user’) may use the European Emblem or any of its elements, as long as this use (a) does not create the impression or assumption that there is a connection between the third-party user and any of the institutions, bodies, offices, agencies or organs of the European Union or the Council of Europe where this connection does not exist; (b) does not lead the public to believe that the user benefits from the support, sponsorship, approval or consent of any of the institutions, bodies, offices, agencies or organs of the European Union or the Council of Europe where this is not the case; (c) is not made in connection with any objective or activity which is incompatible with the aims and principles of the European Union or the Council of Europe, or is otherwise unlawful. If the use of the European emblem complies with the above conditions, there is no need to ask for written permission. Registration of the European emblem, or a heraldic imitation thereof, as a trade mark or as any other intellectual property right is not acceptable.

Questions related to use of the European emblem can be directed to: European Commission Directorate A.4 — Central IP Service GUIM 5/20 European Union Flag to Lose a Star After Brexit Vote : snopes.com European Union Flag to Lose a Star After Brexit Vote No Star for EU Many social media users incorrectly claimed that the European Union flag was going to lose a star after the Brexit vote. Claim: The European Union flag will lose a star after the Brexit vote. FALSE Example: [Collected via Twitter, June 2016] Origin:On 23 June 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union, a decision that has rocked Europe and left its future uncertain. While the Brexit (a portmanteau of "British exit") vote had some immediate consequences — for example, the pound's value plunged and markets dropped precipitously; other countries' politicians called for similar referendums; UK Prime Minister David Cameron resigned — it will take time to see the full effects of Britain's decision. One change that won't happen, however, is the removal of a star from the European Union flag.

Shortly after the Brexit vote, people on social media started posting pictures of the EU flag with one star missing, as a critique or a commentary on the decision: The commentary became confused with the reality (as happens so often on social media), with many people believing that a star actually would be removed from the European Union's flag. However, there are no plans to alter it, as the stars on the flag don't actually represent the number of countries in the union : The European flag symbolises both the European Union and, more broadly, the identity and unity of Europe. It features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. They stand for the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity. The current design of the union's flag dates back to 1955 , when it was first used by the Council of Europe, but it wasn't adopted by the European Economic Community until 1985.

The European Union did have twelve members between 1986 and 1994, but the number of member countries now tentatively sits at 28 (and it will drop to 27 if and when Britain officially leaves the European Union). Last updated: 24 June 2016 Originally published: 24 June 2016 Thank you for writing to us! Although we receive hundreds of e-mails every day, we really and truly read them all, and your comments, suggestions, and questions are most welcome. Unfortunately, we can manage to answer only a small fraction of our incoming mail. Our site covers many of the items currently being plopped into inboxes everywhere, so if you were writing to ask us about something you just received, our search engine can probably help you find the very article you want. Choose a few key words from the item you're looking for and click here to go to the search engine.

(Searching on whole phrases will often fail to produce matches because the text of many items is quite variable, so picking out one or two key words is the best strategy.) We do reserve the right to use non-confidential material sent to us via this form on our site, but only after it has been stripped of any information that might identify the sender or any other individuals not party to this communication. Your Email European Union: Myths on the flag This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website European Union: Myths on the flag The myth of the "Marian seal" on the European Union flag Debunking the myth While Count Coudenhove-Kalergi in a personal statement maintained that three leading Catholics within the Council had subconciously chosen the twelve stars on the model of Apocalypse 12:1, Paul M.G. Lévy, Press Officer of the Council from 1949 to 1966, explained in 1989 that there was no religious intention whatsoever associated with the choice of the circle of twelve stars.

This is important because from time to time all kinds of myths (mainly by Catholic activists, some of them outspoken anti-Semitic) are being launched to "prove" that the European emblem was designed to glorify the Virgin Mary who, erroneously again, is traditionally being associated with Apocalypse 12:1. Peter Diem, 11 June 2002 I have also seen the argument that the flag and emblem of the European Union is in fact a Catholic symbol. This argument has been put forward by Lutheran north Europeans as a contribution to the line of thought that the European Union is a Catholic (that is elitist, non-democratic etc.) project the north Europeans (that is democratic and Lutheran) ought to stay out of. Some of the more extreme argue that the European Union is a fulfillment of the prophecies in The Book of Revelation - the resurrection of the Roman Empire etc. ("evidence": the European Union was founded with the treaty of Rome). Chapter 12 verse 1 reads: After that there appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman robed with the sun, beneath her feet the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

In church art this crown is in the form of a circle of stars around the Virgin Mary's head (the cathedral of Strasbourg is said to have a stained glass window looking very much like the European emblem). See how Catholic this is? Now, the argument is that the flag of the Council of Europe, which the European Union took over, was decided by a small group of representatives from the Catholic member states (in secretive meetings from which there is no written record) and without explaining the symbolism of the circle of stars. The gullible Protestants thought the design was OK and voted for it (that is, they were duped). In this way the non-Catholics have been forced into worshiping the Virgin Mary when displaying the European Union flag. Jan Oskar Engene, 23 November 1995 An illustration of the myth Coincidences of European Flag Designer Inspired by Virgin's Image in Paris' Rue du Bac Rome, 7 December (Zenit) - December 8 is a very special day for Europe: in 1955, on that day, the European Ministers' delegates officially adopted the European flag designed by Arsene Heitz, who today is an octogenarian artist in Strasbourg.

The decision was taken following the 1950 European Council's (one of the predecessors of today's European Union) convocation of a competition to design the flag of the newborn European Community. Among many other artists, Heitz presented several designs, and one was chosen: 12 stars on a blue background. Recently Heitz revealed to a French magazine the reason for his inspiration. At that time he was reading the history of the Blessed Virgin's apparitions in Paris' Rue du Bac, known today as the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal. According to the artist, he thought of the 12 stars in a circle on a blue background, exactly the way it is represented in traditional iconography of this image of the Immaculate Conception. In the beginning, Heitz saw it as a flight of fancy, among the many that run through an artist's imagination; but the idea caught his attention, to the point that it became the subject of his meditation. According to Javier Paredes, Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Alcala in Spain, in statements sent to Zenit, "Heitz listens to God in his interior; in other words, he prays with his heart and his head.

He says he is profoundly religious and devoted to the Virgin, to whom he never misses praying a daily Rosary, together with his wife. Because of this, he believes the inspiration not only from his artistic talents, but from the silent voices that Heaven always speaks to men of good will, among whom Heitz can undoubtedly be numbered. He is an artist who, virtually at the end of his life and at the zenith of his career, can proclaim with the guarantee of authenticity that he recalls that moment, that he is interested in very few but very important things, that he regards himself as a man who loves the whole world, but especially the Blessed Virgin, who is our Mother." Professor Paredes admits that "neither the stars nor the blue of the flag are particularly religious symbols, thus respecting the conscience of all Europeans, regardless of their beliefs." Indeed, he recalls that "when Paul M.G.

Levy, first Director of the Press and Information Service of the European Council had to explain to the Members of the Economic Community the meaning of the design, he interpreted the number of 12 stars as a 'figure of plenitude,' given that in the 1950s there were not 12 members in that Council, nor in the European Community." "However, in Heitz's soul the words of the Apocalypse were very present: 'A great sign appeared in the Heavens: a Woman clothed with the sun and with the moon at her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.' And, perhaps without realizing it, the delegates of the European Ministers officially adopted the design proposed by Heitz on the feast of Our Lady: December 8, 1955," explained Prof. Paredes. "That's a lot of coincidences, so henceforth it should not be difficult for us to discover in the folds of the Europeans' flag the smile and affection of Our Mother, the Queen of Europe, ready to lend a hand in that great challenge that St.

Peter's successor has proposed to us: to re-Christianize the Old Continent with the example of our lives and the testimony of our words." Article #ZE99120707 from Zenit News Agency, kindly forwarded by Mark Polo, 7 December 1999 According to the above article, Pr. Paredes said: "when Paul M.G. Lévy, first Director of the Press and Information Service of the European Council had to explain to the Members of the Economic Community the meaning of the design [...]" Firstly, this was not the "European Council" but the Council of Europe. Secondly, Paul M.G. Lévy did not met "the Members of the Economic Community", since such "members" never existed, but the delegates representing the Ministers of the Council of Europe. This happened in November 1955, therefore before the treaty of Rome which created the European Economic Community. A bit further, Paredes is reported to have claimed: "However, in Heitz's soul the words of the Apocalypse were very present". An Austrian journalist already asked me if I knew more on this, because she had done an extensive search to no avail. J.M.

Lévy confirmed me that Heitz's feeling reported by Paredes and elsewhere are apocryphal. Heitz was asked by the Council of Europe to propose a flag because of his designer's skills, and submitted several of its own proposals, which were rejected. Ivan Sache, based on comments by Jean-Michel Lévy, Paul M.G. Lévy's son, 15 January 2003 Another illustration of the myth The Times (London) runs a regular daily feature entitled Questions Answered, which invites readers to submit questions on different topics, and then invites other readers to answer them. Today's edition (11 May 2004) carries the question 'Will the eu flag change to reflect the number of newcomers?' Three replies were received. This is the third response to the question: The number 12 is a symbol of cosmic order and salvation. It is the number of the signs of the zodiac, the hours on a clock face, the months of the year, the Christian apostles, the knights of the Round Table, and the lictors of Rome. Five-pointed stars represent aspiration and education. Gold is the colour of the sun, and symbolises glory and enlightenment.

Blue is the colour of the sky, and symbolises the Virgin Mary, truth, and the intellect. Arranged in a circlet, a dozen stars represent the constellation of Corona, and are seen as a crown in paintings of the Virgin Mary as Stella Maris, to signify royalty and thus the structures of government (as in a Round Table). In short, the symbols of the flag are purely metaphorical. Paul Murdin Who are the 12 stars of the EU flag ? Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands (Holland), Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK (England). If Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg merge into one enterprise known as "Benelux", that would bring the WEU to 13 member-nations. These nations are already being called "Benelux". ( 15 - 3 + 1 = 13 ) Then when 3 other member nations are "plucked up by the roots" (DAN. 7:8), that will leave 10 members of the WEU.

We already stated in our previous memo that it is being hinted in the media that the UK, France and Germany are perceived as acting independently of the EU. So they are susceptible to being outside the EU, economically. If the EU chooses another nation _outside_ of the EU, ( as stated in our previous memo ) that will bring the number of nations to 11. "And the 10 horns out of this kingdom are 10 kings that shall arise: and ANOTHER (11th) shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue 3 kings" Dan. 7:24 Since "DIVERSE" means "different" from the 10, then perhaps the 11th is not from the EU. He could be from a nation that has strong military might and technology. A nation that the EU would like to co-ordinate plans with, for better protection and security. ( peace and safety ). Wm. Hague ( a European UK foreign minister ) placed the US at the top of strategic relations, ahead of the EU.

"Placing the US first in a list of UK strategic priorities, the EU second, Brazil third and Turkey fourth, he emphasised British bilateral relations over its co-operation with the 27-member European bloc." So we are now at 11 of the 12 stars of the EU flag. Who would be the 12th star ? If Israel is made strategic by her Mediterranean Partnership with the EU, then she would become the 12th star of the EU flag. Most of the nations in the Med-Partnership have lost their leaders, and have undergone regime changes. Israel has remained stable and is the only democracy in the area. Israel- EU Association Agreement questions_reponses 50th anniversary of the European flag EUROPEAN FLAG – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS What is the European Flag? Twelve golden stars on a blue background is the flag of Europe. It’s been the symbol of the Council of Europe since 1955, adopted by the European Union (then the European Community) in 1984, and now flies above parliaments, municipal buildings, parks and monuments all over the continent. Who had the first idea for the design?

The Council of Europe knew it needed a symbol from its very beginnings in 1949. Ideas for a European flag had been floated since the 1920s: two of the most popular were a large E on a white background from the European movement, and Count Coudenhove Kalergis’ “Pan European Union” flag, a yellow circle with a red cross on a blue background. But it was only when Europe got its first political organisation – the Council of Europe – that serious attempts were made to find a European flag. In 1950, a committee was assigned to study the question. Groups of experts, boards and committees made a lengthy study of over a hundred suggestions from artists, heraldry experts and enthusiastic amateurs from all over the world. Ideas included 15 green squares on a cream background; a variation of the US stars and stripes; quasi-Olympic circles…even a design using national flags with a tiger motif. In the end, two were chosen.

One was from Arsene Heitz, then working at the Council who proposed “a crown of 12 golden stars with 5 rays, their points not touching” and the second was a constellation of stars – originally proposed by the pro-European founder of the College of Europe , Salvador de Madariaga. Who agreed the final design? And what does it mean? The Council of Europe’s main decision making body, the Committee of Ministers, opted for the 12 star flag. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council agreed to it in December 1955 and it was officially unveiled at the Chateau de la Muette in Paris on 13 December 1955. The design symbolises the peoples of Europe, with the circle representing their union. The number of stars never changes – it is always 12: representing perfection and entirety, like the twelve apostles, twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac. Many other stories exist about the flag – one is that the star idea came from a European living in Asia who thought of home each time he looked at the evening star, Venus; another is that stars were chosen to avoid using a religious symbol.

How come the flag is shared between the Council of Europe and the European Union? The flag caught on following the Universal Exhibition in Brussels in 1958, and when in 1979 a newly elected European Parliament began to look for its own symbol, it became obvious that the 12 star flag was by far the best. The Council of Europe had lobbied for a long time for all other European organisations to adopt it as a gesture of unity: on 28 April 1983 the European Parliament agreed, and the European Council in Milan in June 1985 officially adopted the twelve golden stars as the European Union’s flag.

Question: How many stars are on the European Union Flag?
Answer: 12