List of Greek flags - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This is a list of flags used in the modern state of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....

or historically used by Greeks.

National flag

Flag	\|Use	Flag of Greece Flag of Greece The flag of Greece , officially recognized by Greece as one of its national symbols, is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white... was adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus First National Assembly at Epidaurus The First National Assembly of Epidaurus was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada... in January 1822 as the naval ensign. Between 1822-1978, this flag was used at sea and for foreign service. In 1978, it was established as the sole national flag and also as the war and civil Ensign Ensign An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry... .	Nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue canton in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross.

Presidential Standard

Flag	\|Use	President of Greece President of Greece The President of the Hellenic Republic , colloquially referred to in English as the President of Greece, is the head of state of Greece. The office of the President of the Republic was established after the Greek republic referendum, 1974 and formally by the Constitution of Greece in 1975. The... ). Used to show the presence of the President of the Republic (in vehicles, buildings etc.). This flag also used as a Rank flag in the Hellenic Navy Hellenic Navy The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence... 's ships mainmast when the President of the Republic is aboard (according to Article 45 of the Constitution the President of the Republic 'is the symbolic head of the Armed Forces' so as Rank flag this flag is regarded as similar to the flag of an Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments... or superior).	A blue square flag bearing at both sides a silver coloured cross with equal arms and a tip formed in the middle of the lower end of the vertical arm. Τhe areas adjoining to the cross have the same colour with flag, the cross bounded with a golden coloured line forming an escutcheon which totally surrounded by two golden coloured laurel branches forming circle, intersecting under the tip in cross. (A form of the Coat of Arms of Greece) The Flag is produced in four sizes (1st 1.70 m (5.58 ft) sides, 2nd 1.10 m (3.61 ft) sides, 3d 0.65 m (2.13 ft) sides and 4th 0.23 m (0.75 ft) sides).

Military flags

Flag	\|Use	Hellenic Navy Hellenic Navy The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence... .	A square flag with a white cross on a blue field. A golden crown was added in the centre during the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1935–1973).
		Commissioning pennant flown by all Hellenic Navy Hellenic Navy The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence... ' s Ships and establishments in commission, unless displaced by a senior officer's Rank Flag.	'Warship pennant, blue coloured, has shape of isosceles triangle elongated, bearing a white cross near the base of the triangle'. The flag has typically base to length (height of triangle) 1 to 20. The cross has arms width 1/5 base length and each arm length 3/5 of base length. The pennant flown on the top of mainmast.
		Army War Flag (regimental colour) Colours, standards and guidons In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...	A square flag with a white cross on blue field with image of Saint George.
		Air Force War Flag (regimental colour) Colours, standards and guidons In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...	A square flag with a white cross on blue field with image of Archangel Michael.
	since 1956	Rank flag of the Prime Minister of Greece Prime Minister of Greece The Prime Minister of Greece , officially the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic , is the head of government of the Hellenic Republic and the leader of the Greek cabinet. The current interim Prime Minister is Lucas Papademos, a former Vice President of the European Central Bank, following... aboard Hellenic Navy vessels.	Like the Hellenic Navy jack, with three white rising diagonal stripes in the first quarter.
	since 1956	Rank flag of the Greek Minister of National Defence Minister for National Defence (Greece) The Minister for National Defence of Greece is a government minister responsible for the running of the Ministry of National Defence. The current minister is Dimitris Avramopoulos.-Recent Ministers for National Defence:-External links:*... aboard Hellenic Navy vessels.	Like the Hellenic Navy jack, with three white rising diagonal stripes in the first quarter and three descending stripes in the fourth.

Government flags

Flag	\|Use	public hospitals Health care in Greece 250px\|right\|thumb\|The logo of the Ministry for Health and Social Solidarity.Health care in Greece is provided by the state through a universal health care system funded mostly through national health insurance, although private health care is also an option. According to the 2011 budget, the Greek... .	The ministry's logo on a white field.

Regional and municipal flags

Flag	\|Use	Greek Macedonia Macedonia (Greece) Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region... . Also the flag of the regions of Central Central Macedonia Central Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the central part of the region of Macedonia. With a population of over 1.8 million, it is the second most populous in Greece after Attica.- Administration :... , East and West Macedonia West Macedonia West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:... .	Blue field with the golden Vergina Sun Vergina Sun The Vergina Sun — also known as the Star of Vergina, Macedonian star, or Argead Star — is the name given to a symbol of a stylised star or sun with sixteen rays. It was unearthed in 1977 during excavations in Vergina, in the northern Greek region of Macedonia, by archaeologist Manolis Andronikos... in the centre. The flag is unofficial but widely recognized in Greece.
	1995	Flag of the Municipality of Athens.	The flag is blue with an inner gold and outer red border, like the flag of the region of Attica. A white Greek cross lies in the middle, charged with a disc with a white border featuring gold olive Olive The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the... branches. The blue disc in the center features the head of the goddess Athena Athena In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is... .
	20??	Flag of the South Aegean South Aegean The South Aegean is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It consists of the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups in the central and southeastern Aegean Sea.- Administration :... .
		Municipal flag of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace... .	Dark blue with a stylized depiction of the city's main landmark, the White Tower White Tower of Thessaloniki The White Tower of Thessaloniki , is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece and a symbol of Greek sovereignty over Macedonia... , and an ancient Macedon Macedon Macedonia or Macedon was an ancient kingdom, centered in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, bordered by Epirus to the west, Paeonia to the north, the region of Thrace to the east and Thessaly to the south.... ian coin depicting Alexander the Great.
		Municipal flag of Chania Chania Chaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit... .	The seal of the city of Chania superimposed on the old land flag of Greece, with the words "ΔΗΜΟΣ ΧΑΝΙΩΝ" (Municipality of Chania) on the bottom right and left quadrants.
		Flag of Zakynthos Flag of Zakynthos The flag of Zakynthos, Greece, or Flag of Zante, has a dark green background with an orange depiction of Zakynthos, the mytho-historical first resident of the island and its namesake, in the centre. Zakynthos, partially draped in a robe, is sitting on rock holding a semi-coiled snake to the right... island.	Dark green with an orange depiction of Zakynthos Zakynthos (person) In Greek mythology, Zakynthos was the son of the legendary Arcadian chief Dardanus. The name, like all similar names ending in -nthos, is pre-Mycenaean or Pelasgian in origin.... with the island's motto "Freedom needs virtue and courage" (ΘΕΛΕΙ ΑΡΕΤΗ ΚΑΙ TOΛMH Η ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ, from Andreas Kalvos Andreas Kalvos Andreas Kalvos was a contemporary of Dionysios Solomos and one of the greatest Greek writers of the 19th century. Paradoxically enough, no known portrait of his survives today.-Biography:... ' The Lyre).
		Flag of Corfu Corfu Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The... island.	The flag of Corfu Corfu Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The... has a dark red/maroon/purple large outer border, a dark gold thin inner border and a very dark blue field with the city seal in the centre in dark gold. The city seal shown an ancient Greek sailing ship. ΔΗΜΟΣ (Municipality) is written above the seal, ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΙΩΝ (of Corfu), below the seal. The real flag, on which the image shown above is based, has a ratio of 11:19
	1800	Flag of the Ionian Islands Ionian Islands The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e... .	Originally the official flag of the Septinsular Republic Septinsular Republic The Septinsular Republic was an island republic that existed from 1800 to 1807 under nominal Ottoman sovereignty in the Ionian Islands. It was the first time Greeks had been granted even limited self-government since the fall of the last remnants of the Byzantine Empire to the Ottomans in the... . Although it is not used for official purposes nowadays, it is widely recognisable as the most important symbol of the unity of these islands.
	1821	The flag of Kastelorizo Kastelorizo Kastelorizo, , is a Greek island and municipality located in the southeastern Mediterranean. It lies roughly off the south coast of Turkey, about 570 km southeast of Athens and east of Rhodes, almost halfway between Rhodes and Antalya and to Cyprus... , used as an ensign for ships from Kastelorizo during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... , now a municipal flag.
	1821	The flag of Hydra island, used as an ensign for ships from Hydra during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... , now a municipal flag.
	1821	The flag of Psara Psara Psara is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Together with the small uninhabited island of Antipsara it forms the municipality of Psara. It is part of the Chios peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The only town of the island and seat of the municipality is also called... , used as an ensign for ships from Psara during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... , now a municipal flag.	White cloth bordered with red with a large red cross and the inscriptions of the motto Eleftheria i Thanatos Eleftheria i thanatos Eleftheria i thanatos is the motto of Greece. It arose during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, where it was a war cry for the Greeks who rebelled against Ottoman rule. It was adopted after the Greek War of Independence. It is still in use today, and is a popular theory regarding the use... (Liberty or Death) in capital red letters. The cross is standing on an upside down crescent, symbolizing the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries... , flanked on one side by a lance, on the other by an anchor, around which is coiled a serpent eating a bird.
	1821	The flag of Spetses Spetses Spetses is an island and a municipality in the Islands regional unit, Attica, Greece. It is sometimes included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolidocorinthia, which is now split into Argolis and Corinthia... , used as an ensign for ships from Spetses during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... , now a municipal flag.
	20??	Flag of the North Aegean North Aegean The North Aegean is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It comprises the islands of the north-eastern Aegean Sea, except for Samothrace, which belongs to the region of East Macedonia and Thrace, and Imbros and Tenedos which belong to Turkey.... .
	20??	Flag of Thessaly Thessaly Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey.... .
	20??	Flag of Central Greece.
	20??	Flag of Epirus Epirus (region) Epirus is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. It lies between the Pindus Mountains and the Ionian Sea, stretching from the Bay of Vlorë in the north to the Ambracian Gulf in the south... .
	20??	Flag of Crete Crete Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits... .
	20??	Flag of West Greece West Greece West Greece is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It comprises the western part of continental Greece and the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula.- Administration :... .

Historical variants of the national flag

Flag	\|Use	First National Assembly at Epidaurus First National Assembly at Epidaurus The First National Assembly of Epidaurus was the first meeting of the Greek National Assembly, a national representative political gathering of the Greek revolutionaries.The assembly opened in December 1821 at Piada... adopted this design to replace the multitude of local revolutionary flags then in use. Since 1828, this flag was flown inside the country, while the current flag was flown on naval vessels and abroad.	White cross on a blue field. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1935–1973), a golden crown was often added in the centre of official flags (see examples below).
	1833–1862	State State flag There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in vexillology – the flag of the government of a sovereign state, and the flag of an individual subnational state.-Government flag:... and War flag War flag A war flag is a variant of a national flag for use by the nation's military forces on land. The nautical equivalent is a naval ensign — the battle ensign... on land during the reign of King Otto.	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the national flag, with the Bavarian arms of the Wittelsbach Wittelsbach The Wittelsbach family is a European royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria.Members of the family served as Dukes, Electors and Kings of Bavaria , Counts Palatine of the Rhine , Margraves of Brandenburg , Counts of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland , Elector-Archbishops of Cologne , Dukes of... dynasty superimposed in the center of the cross, topped by a crown. The blue color is of a lighter shade than usual today.
.	1833–1862	State State flag There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in vexillology – the flag of the government of a sovereign state, and the flag of an individual subnational state.-Government flag:... and War ensign at sea during the reign of King Otto.	The flag consists of the naval version of the national flag, with the Bavarian arms of the Wittelsbach Wittelsbach The Wittelsbach family is a European royal family and a German dynasty from Bavaria.Members of the family served as Dukes, Electors and Kings of Bavaria , Counts Palatine of the Rhine , Margraves of Brandenburg , Counts of Holland, Hainaut and Zeeland , Elector-Archbishops of Cologne , Dukes of... dynasty superimposed in the center of the cross, topped by a golden royal crown superimposed in the canton. The blue color is of a lighter shade than usual today.
	1863–1913	The first Royal Standard of Greece.	Similar to the Danish Flag, with Nordic Cross and the Coat of Arms of House of Glücksburg.
	1913–1922	Royal Standard of the King, adopted in 1913.	Like the Navy jack, but in a light blue field with the Arms of King Constantine I Constantine I of Greece Constantine I was King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece won Thessaloniki and doubled in... at the center. Behind the arms are two crossed Field Marshal Field Marshal Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical... 's batons.
	1916–1922	Standard used by the Crown Prince, adopted in 1916.	Like the Navy jack, but in a light blue field. In the first and third quarter is a royal crown.
	1863–1913	Standard used by King George I of Greece George I of Greece George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers... .	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the national flag, with a Royal Coat of Arms of Greece Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Greece was the official symbol of the Greek state during the period of the monarchy .-Description of the coat of arms of the Wittelsbach dynasty:... superimposed in the center of the cross.
	1935–1974	Royal Standard of the King, adopted in 1935.	Like the Navy jack, with the Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... arms in the centre and four crowns in the quarters.
	1935–1974	Standard of the Crown Prince, adopted in 1935.	Like the Navy jack, with the Greek Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... arms in the centre and one crown in the first quarter.
	1935–1974	Standard used by the Greek Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... , adopted in 1935.	Like the Navy jack, with the Greek Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... arms in the centre but no crown.
	1935–1970	Royal version of the State Flag during the Kingdom of Greece Kingdom of Greece The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers... .	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the national flag, with a detailed golden royal crown superimposed in the center of the cross. The field is bordered by a gold fringe.
	1863 - 1924 1935 - 1970	State State flag There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in vexillology – the flag of the government of a sovereign state, and the flag of an individual subnational state.-Government flag:... and War flag War flag A war flag is a variant of a national flag for use by the nation's military forces on land. The nautical equivalent is a naval ensign — the battle ensign... on land during the Greek Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... in the Kingdom of Greece Kingdom of Greece The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers... .	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the national flag, with a golden royal crown superimposed in the center of the cross.
	1863 - 1924 1935 - 1970	Jack of the Royal Hellenic Navy.	A square flag with a white cross on a blue field with the Hellenic Royal Crown in the centre. The crown was added during the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1935–1973).
	1863 - 1924 1935 - 1970	State State flag There are two separate meanings for the term state flag in vexillology – the flag of the government of a sovereign state, and the flag of an individual subnational state.-Government flag:... and War ensign at sea during the Greek Royal Family Greek Royal Family The Greek Royal Family was a branch of the House of Glücksburg that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I. He and his successors styled themselves "Kings of the Hellenes"... in the Kingdom of Greece Kingdom of Greece The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers... .	The flag consists of the naval version of the national flag, with a golden royal crown superimposed in the center of the cross in the canton.
		Ensign of the Royal Hellenic Air Force until 1973.	A white cross on a blue field with the roundel of the Hellenic Air Force in the centre, the royal crown in a circle on the canton.
		Ensign of the Hellenic Air Force Hellenic Air Force The Hellenic Air Force, abbreviated to HAF is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid in Greece and around the... (1973–1978) and Greek Civil Air Ensign Civil air ensign A nation's civil air ensign is its national flag which represents civil aviation in that nation. Typically, it is flown from buildings connected with the administration of civil aviation and it may also be flown by airlines of the appropriate country. A civil air ensign is the equivalent of the... , until 1978.	A white cross on a blue field with the roundel of the Hellenic Air Force in the centre.
	1964–1980	Hellenic Coast Guard Hellenic Coast Guard The Hellenic Coast Guard is the national coast guard of Greece. Like most other coast guards, it is a paramilitary organization that can support the Hellenic Navy in wartime, but resides under separate civilian control in times of peace... service flag.	The naval ensign with two golden anchors, crossed, in the centre of the cross.
	1970–1975	National flag adopted by the Colonels' regime Greek military junta of 1967-1974 The Greek military junta of 1967–1974, alternatively "The Regime of the Colonels" , or in Greece "The Junta", and "The Seven Years" are terms used to refer to a series of right-wing military governments that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974... .	The sea flag, in ratio 7:12 and in very dark shade of blue (dark "midnight blue Midnight Blue Midnight blue is a dark shade of blue, close to black, that was named for its darkness. Midnight blue is the color of a vat full of Indigo dye; therefore, midnight blue may also be considered a dark shade of indigo... "). The old "land" version was restored as national flag in 1975.

Current and historical variants used outside Greece

Flag	\|Use	Principality of Samos Principality of Samos The island of Samos had participated in the Greek War of Independence and had successfully resisted several Turkish and Egyptian attempts to occupy it, but it was not included with the boundaries of the newly independent Kingdom of Greece after 1832... , tributary to the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries... .	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the Greek national flag, with the upper half field in the red of the Ottoman flag Ottoman Flag The term Ottoman flag refers to any of the flags used by the ruling Sultans of the Ottoman Dynasty. Various flags were used within the Ottoman Empire during its existence, and the sultan also used different personal flags on different occasions of state... .
	1898–1913	Flag of the autonomous Cretan State Cretan State The Cretan State was established in 1898, following the intervention by the Great Powers on the island of Crete. In 1897 an insurrection in Crete led the Ottoman Empire to declare war on Greece, which led the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Russia to intervene on the grounds that the Ottoman... (Kritiki Politeia).	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the Greek national flag, with the canton in red with a white five-pointed star, symbolizing Ottoman suzerainty. It was not popular with during the period of official use, as Cretans wanted union with Greece.
	1866	Flag used in the Arkadi Monastery Arkadi Monastery The monastery of Arkadi is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, situated on a fertile plateau 14 mi to the southeast of Rethymnon on the island of Crete .... by Christian Cretans supporting union with Greece, during the Great Cretan Revolt of 1866–1869 Cretan Revolt (1866–1869) The Cretan Revolt of 1866–1869 or Great Cretan Revolution was a three year uprising against Ottoman rule, the third and largest in a series of Cretan revolts between the end of the Greek War of Independence in 1830 and the establishment of the independent Cretan State in 1898.-Background:The... .	The flag consists of the plain cross version of the Greek national flag, featuring the initials of the motto Κρήτη, Ένωσις, Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος ("Crete, Enosis Enosis Enosis refers to the movement of the Greek-Cypriot population to incorporate the island of Cyprus into Greece.Similar movements had previously developed in other regions with ethnic Greek majorities such as the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese. These regions were eventually incorporated... , Freedom or Death"), and the cross with the inscription IΣ ΧΣ ΝΙΚΑ ("Jesus Christ Conquers").
	1912	Flag of the Free State of Ikaria.
	1914	Flag of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus The Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was a short-lived, self-governing entity founded on February 28, 1914, in the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, by the Greeks living in southern Albania .... .
	1917–1922	Flag of the Republic of Pontus Republic of Pontus The Republic of Pontus was a proposed Pontian Greek state in the north-eastern part of modern Turkey from 1917 to 1922. The Republic of Pontus was never officially proclaimed, but a central government of an embryonic state existed, though not occupying all the claimed areas... .
	since 1964	Jack of the Cyprus Navy.	A square flag with a white cross on a blue field, with a crossed anchor, trident and cross in gold superimposed.

Historical Greek flags

Flag	\|Use	Conosçimiento de todos los reynos Libro del Conoscimiento The Libro del Conoscimiento is an anonymous 14th century Castilian geographical & armorial manual, written in the form of imaginary autobiographical travelogue of a Castilian mendicant friar, as he travels through the entire world, known and fanciful, from the westernmost Atlantic islands,...	The flag features the red cross of St. George and the dynastic arms of the Palaeologi Palaiologos Palaiologos , often latinized as Palaeologus, was a Byzantine Greek noble family, which produced the last ruling dynasty of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fourth Crusade, members of the family fled to the neighboring Empire of Nicaea, where Michael VIII Palaiologos became co-emperor in 1259,... , the tetragrammatic cross with the four betas (commonly, as here, depicted in the form of stylized fire-steles).
		Also in Spanish atlas Conoscimento de todos los reinos the well-documented "plain" tetragrammatic cross (a symbol of the Palaiologos dynasty) flag is presented as the flag "of the real Greece and Empire of the Greeks (la vera Grecia e el imperio de los griegos)" (not being clear whether this implies usage of the quartered flag mainly in Constantinople).	Golden cross with four betas on red field.
		Although it is the emblem most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire, the double-headed eagle Double-headed eagle The double-headed eagle is a common symbol in heraldry and vexillology. It is most commonly associated with the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and... has not been documented in any historical banner or flag (most probably it remained a personal and/or dynasty symbol of Byzantine Emperors). This also serves as the flag of the Greek Orthodox Church Greek Orthodox Church The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament... .	A black double eagle on yellow (originally gold) field.
	1431–1619	The Greek σπαχήδες (sipahi Sipahi Sipahi was the name of several Ottoman cavalry corps... s) cavalry units serving with the Turkish army were allowed to use this flag during the first centuries of Ottoman rule Ottoman Greece Most of Greece gradually became part of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th century until its declaration of independence in 1821, a historical period also known as Tourkokratia .... , when within the territory of Epirus Epirus The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania... and the Peloponnese Peloponnese The Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth... . Similar flags were used during the Greek Revolution.	A blue cross over a white field, with an image of St. George slaying the dragon in the middle.
		This flag, the so-called "Græco-Ottoman" ensign (Γραικοθωμανική παντιέρα), was allowed for use by Greek merchant ships during the latter stages of Ottoman rule.	The flag consists of three horizontal stripes in the colours red (for the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries... ), blue (for the Greeks) and red (see article on Ottoman flags).
		The flag of the Filiki Eteria Filiki Eteria thumb\|right\|200px\|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local... .
	1821–1825	The flag of the Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece The Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece was a provisional regime that existed in eastern Central Greece during the Greek War of Independence.- Background :... , a regional administration during the Greek Revolution.	The flag consists of three vertical stripes in the colours green, white and black. The cross stands for Orthodox Christianity, the flaming heart for the will to fight for independence, and the anchor for the steadfastness of purpose.
	1821	Flag of the Sacred Band Sacred Band (1821) The Sacred Band was a battalion founded by Alexander Ypsilantis at the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, in February 1821 in Wallachia, now part of Romania.-Origin and structure:... .
	1821	Used by Athanasios Diakos Athanasios Diakos Athanasios Diakos , a Greek military commander during the Greek War of Independence and a national hero, was born Athanasios Nikolaos Massavetas in the village of Ano Mousounitsa, Phocis.-Early life:... and his irregulars during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... .	The figure of St. George slaying the dragon, with the motto Ελευθερία ή θάνατος (Freedom or Death).
	1821	The first Greek revolutionary flag, raised at the beginning of the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... by Andreas Londos Andreas Londos Andreas Londos was a Greek military leader and politician. Born in Vostitsa in 1786, he was initiated into the Filiki Eteria in 1818 and was one of the first military leaders to raise the banner of revolt in the Peloponnese during the Greek War of Independence.On 26 January 1821, under the ruse of... .	A black Latin cross in the center of a red field.
	1821	Used by Alexander Ypsilantis.
	1821	Used by Anthimos Gazis Anthimos Gazis Anthimos Gazis was a scholar, a philosopher during the Greek Enlightenment, a cartographer and one of the heroes of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. He was born in Milies in Ottoman Greece in 1758 and died in 1828... and his irregulars from Thessaly Thessaly Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey.... during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... .
	1821	Flag of Command of Samos Samoš Samoš is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Kovačica municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,247 people .-See also:... during the Greek War of Independence Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between... .
	1821	The flag of the fighters of the autonomous Mani Peninsula Mani Peninsula The Mani Peninsula , also long known as Maina or Maïna, is a geographical and cultural region in Greece. Mani is the central peninsula of the three which extend southwards from the Peloponnese in southern Greece. To the east is the Laconian Gulf, to the west the Messenian Gulf... .	A blue Greek cross on white background, with the words "Victory or Death" and the ancient Sparta Sparta Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c... n motto "With it or upon it" in gold.
	1800–1807	Flag of the Septinsular Republic Septinsular Republic The Septinsular Republic was an island republic that existed from 1800 to 1807 under nominal Ottoman sovereignty in the Ionian Islands. It was the first time Greeks had been granted even limited self-government since the fall of the last remnants of the Byzantine Empire to the Ottomans in the... , a self-governing state comprising the Ionian Islands Ionian Islands The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e... , under joint Russian Russian Empire The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union... and Ottoman Ottoman Empire The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries... suzerainty.	The flag derives from the "Lion of St Mark Mark the Evangelist Mark the Evangelist is the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark. He is one of the Seventy Disciples of Christ, and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, one of the original four main sees of Christianity.... ", the symbol of the Republic of Venice Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in... , under whose rule the Ionian Islands were until 1797. The lion holds seven bundled arrows, representing the unity of the seven islands, with the Bible Bible The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations... superimposed on them.
	1817–1864	Flag of the United States of the Ionian Islands United States of the Ionian Islands The United States of the Ionian Islands was a state and amical protectorate of the United Kingdom between 1815 and 1864. It was the successor state of the Septinsular Republic... , a British United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... protectorate from 1815 until its cession to Greece Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... in 1864.	The flag is a variation of the British colonial Blue Ensign Blue Ensign The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem.... , with red bordering. It is defaced Defacement (flag) Defacement is a term used in heraldry and vexillology to refer to the addition of a symbol or charge to another flag. For example, the Australian flag is the British Blue Ensign defaced with the Southern Cross in the fly and the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union... with the islands' emblem, a variant of the Venetian Venice Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region... "Lion of St Mark Mark the Evangelist Mark the Evangelist is the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark. He is one of the Seventy Disciples of Christ, and the founder of the Church of Alexandria, one of the original four main sees of Christianity.... " holding seven bundled arrows, representing the unity of the seven Ionian Islands Ionian Islands The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e... , with the Bible Bible The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations... superimposed on them.
	1941–1944	Flag of the Principality of the Pindus Principality of the Pindus The Principality of the Pindus was an attempt to establish an autonomous puppet state set up under fascist Italian and later German control in northwest Greece in the regions of Epirus, Thessaly and West Macedonia during World War II... . An Italian puppet state during World War II.	A red cross with a green background.

External links

Kokkonis Flag Factory - Historical Flags.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.