Monday, 27 May 2013

Jordan, Palestine and Western Saraha




When Egypt and Syria merged in 1958, this prompted the merger of Iraq and Jordan in order to create the Arab Federation. The Arab Federation adopted a flag with a red chevron to the left, with a black top band, a white middle and a green bottom (middle, also that of Palestine). These are the Pan-Arab Colours. These draw their inspiration from the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule (1916–1918). This flag was essentially similar to that of Jordan (top), but without the seven pointed star. The Arab Federation only lasted a few months, ended by a revolution in Iraq, but similar flags lives on in a number of other countries, most significantly in that of the Western Sahara (bottom).
Each of the four Pan-Arab colors were intended to represent a certain Arab dynasty, or era. The black was the color of the banner of Muhammad, and of the Abbasid Caliphate; white was used by the Umayyad Caliphate; green was used by the Fatimid Caliphate as a reminder of the Battle of Badr to symbolize their support of Ali Bin Abi Talib; red was the flag held by the Khawarij, and then became the symbol of rulers in theMaghreb, and Al-Andalus.


Sunday, 26 May 2013

Colombia, Venezuela and Equador




The first of these flags is that of Colombia. It's upper half is yellow, below the middle is blue and the bottom is red. There are no other distinguishing features. According to Wikipedia, it was created in 1801 by General Francisco de Miranda, who desired that it represent the Latin nations in the process of independence at that time. It was definitively adopted in 1861. Apparently, the meaning of the colours are that yellow is for all of the gold found on Colombian land, the blue is for the seas off Colombia's coast, and the red is for the blood spilt on the battlegrounds during Colombia's wars for independence.  

The flag of Venezuela is of course very similar, though this time:  the yellow stands for land wealth, the blue for the sea that separates Venezuela from Spain, and the red for the blood shed by the heroes of independence.The inspiration for the flag is the same Francisco de Miranda. There have been multiple versions of the flag, though this 8 star version has only been in use since 2006: one star for each of the provinces fo Venezuela  albeit that this flag is still controversial. 

The flag of Ecuador is again based on a similar design, inspired by the same person at a similar troubled time. The coat of arms of Ecuador is in the middle. In the background of the oval shield is the mountain Chimborazo, while the river originating from its base represents the Guayas. Chimborazo is also the highest mountain in Ecuador and is part of the Andes Range