Page 182 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Asia

Cyprus

Ratio: 3:5 Adopted: August 16, 1960 Usage: National and Civil

Neutral and
peaceful symbols
were chosen to
The copper-colored
represent the
country island recalls the
origins of the
country’s name

The two olive branches signify peace
between the Turks and Greeks

Asia
4URKEY In 1960, Cyprus gained independence after almost
#90253
3YRIA 100 years of British rule. In 1974, the island was
partitioned, following an invasion by Turkey.
NO
,EBANONON
NO
Founded in 1193, the Kingdom of THE ISLE OF COPPER
Cyprus experienced centuries of The map of the island on the flag
conflict. Cyprus was conquered by is copper-colored, to express the
the Ottoman Empire in 1571, meaning of the island’s name—
which increased Turkish settlement the Isle of Copper. The two olive
on the island. It then fell under branches on the white field
British control from 1878. The flag, represent peace between the two
adopted at independence in 1960, ethnic groups.
deliberately chose peaceful and
neutral symbols in an attempt to THE NATIONAL EMBLEM
indicate harmony between the rival Cyprus’s national emblem is a
Greek and Turkish communities, an dove holding an olive branch in
ideal that has not been realized. its beak. This is a symbol of peace
In 1974, Turkish forces occupied and reconciliation arising from
the northern part of the island, the biblical story of Noah and the
forming the “Turkish Republic of Ark. The dove is also symbolic
Northern Cyprus.” The two parts of of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess
the island also fly the national flags whose legend originated from
of Greece and Turkey. the island.

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