Introduction
The national flag of the Republic of Cyprus is globally distinctive for its unique and peaceful design, featuring a copper-yellow silhouette of the island itself on a plain white field. Adopted in 1960 upon gaining independence from British rule, it was deliberately chosen to be neutral, avoiding the use of Greek blue or Turkish red to promote unity between the island's two main communities. Below the island's image are two crossed olive branches in green, a universal symbol of peace. The flag's simple yet powerful composition makes it one of the few in the world to prominently display a map of its own territory.
Meaning & Symbolism
The flag's symbolism is directly tied to its visual elements, all chosen to represent peace and harmony. The white field symbolizes the hope for a peaceful future for the entire island. The copper-yellow color of the island map has a dual meaning: it represents the large deposits of copper found in Cyprus, from which the island's name is derived, and it evokes the color of the metal in its freshly-mined state. The two crossed olive branches beneath the island are a clear and ancient emblem of peace, intended to signify the desired peaceful coexistence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
History of the Cyprus Flag
The flag was adopted on August 16, 1960, the same day the Republic of Cyprus was established as an independent nation. It was the result of a design competition held to find a neutral emblem for the new state, won by Turkish Cypriot art teacher İsmet Güney. His design was selected by the newly formed Republic of Cyprus and its first president, Archbishop Makarios III. The flag's creation and adoption were part of the constitutional arrangements detailed in the Zurich and London Agreements of 1959, which paved the way for independence from British administration.
Curiosities
- It is the only national flag in the world to feature a map of its country as the central design element.
- The original design specifications called for the island's color to be 'copper' (Pantone 144C), directly referencing the metal's historical and economic importance.
- During the design process, the two olive branches were initially depicted as being held in the beak of a dove, but this was simplified to the branches alone for a cleaner, more direct symbol of peace.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Cyprus in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's official proportions are 3:5. The white field occupies the entire area. The copper-yellow silhouette of the island is positioned in the center, with its size and shape precisely defined in official specifications. Directly below the island, centered, are two crossed olive branches in green, with their stems crossing under the center of the island map. The exact dimensions and positioning of the map and branches are detailed in a government-published construction sheet to ensure consistency.
Flags Similar to Cyprus Flag
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique map design, but the color scheme is sometimes loosely associated with other flags using white and yellow.