Welcome!
Hey, thanks for visiting our site! Please note: this site displays only the flags in our collection - this is not an exhaustive directory of ALL the flags of the world, only what we have collected so far! If you want to see all the flags in the world look here: Flags of the World, or if you want to try to figure out a flag on your own, try: FlagID, this is a great interactive site for identifying flags by colour or shape! How about a Road trip? Where else would you want to go, but: Argyle, Manitoba to see the Canadian Flag Collection?
What's In a Flag?
A simple flag can become a powerful symbol. In ancient times, flags were the displays of allegiance for knights and nobles, a declaration of sovereignty, a rallying point in battle. Today, they can mean so much more: signals, warnings, advertisement, ownership, reference to an historic event, a political statement. The study of flags even has its own science: Vexillology.
Our Mission:
The goal of this webpage is to promote peace by celebrating the diversity of all citizens on our planet, as represented by the unique, interesting and historic emblems, as well as colours that, when combined with a bit of woven cloth and a gentle breeze, can collectively inspire the people who either were born under them, or have deliberately chosen them, to realize their hopes, aspirations and dreams.
United Nations
In case you were wondering, the flag flown here represents the United Nations, founded on 24 October 1945 at San Francisco, to "...save succeeding generations from the scourge of war..." and to "practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours..." While it may be argued that the United Nations has not been entirely successful in eliminating aggression and regional conflict, it is fulfilling the primary mission of its founders in preventing the re-ignition of the global conflicts that led to the catastrophic loss of life through two world wars. In an age of nuclear weapons, and without the moderating influence of the United Nations and its organs, continued imperialism, unchecked hunger for resources, and secret alliances - as well as conflict on a world-wide scale may very well have resulted in the destruction of all life on our planet in a very short time.
The Flag of the United Nations
During the United Nations Conference on International Organization in 1945, a team of designers led by Oliver Lincoln Lunquist produced the now-familiar official emblem of the United Nations: "a map of the world...inscribed in a wreath consisting of...branches of the olive tree..." The colour of the flag was also specially chosen and designated "UN Blue" to symbolize peace, as opposed to red, the colour of war. UN Blue is specified as Pantone 2925, R000 G158 B219 or #009edb. The flag was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 October 1947, and its design is incorporated into the symbols of many of the UN agencies and organizations engaged in the improvement of living conditions and promotion of peace around the world.
Flags in Conflict:
Violation of UN Charter Article 2: Russian Federation in Ukraine
You may see the flag of Ukraine displayed prominently in many places today as an expression of outrage over the invasion and ongoing conflict with the Russian Federation. Savagely, the lofty ideals of the UN Charter together with the collective condemnation of 141 nations represented in the General Assembly is not enough to deter Russian aggression against the sovereign state of Ukraine. Albania, backed by the United States, proposed measures in the Security Council to stop Russia from continuing its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and enforce its obligation under Article 2, "...to refrain from the threat or use of force against...any state." In a clear contravention of Article 27 (3) which states, "...a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting," Russia was somehow permitted to exercise its veto during consideration, effectively and singlehandedly preventing the UN Security Council from taking any binding action to stop the war, since permanent member China abstained from voting. Despite the paralysis of the Security Council, the General Assembly convened in emergency session. After substantial and passionate debate, it passed Resolution A/ES-11/L.1, that "...Demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and to refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any Member State; [and] Also demands that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine..." In voting on this emergency measure, 141 Nations voted for, while 5 rogue states voted against.
Register your protest by clicking on any of: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria.
35 other nations, while not directly opposing measures to halt Russian aggression, at least had the good sense to abstain from voting. The will of the world is clearly against Russia, which claims to justify its barbarous and malicious attack on Ukraine as the self-defence permitted by Article 51 of the UN Charter. Click here if you would like to send a note to President Vladimir Putin.
Emergency Session of General Assembly voting to stop Russia
Violation of Fourth Geneva Convention: Israel - Gaza
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has advised that:
"Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The international community has a responsibility to use all its influence to prevent further escalation and end this crisis."
Please click here for more information: United Nations Situation in Occupied Palestine and Israel. To read the latest United Nations Security Council effort to halt the conflict, please refer to UN 2728.
Terrible and tragic outbursts of violence continue to claim many lives and cause much fear as well as suffering within Israel and occupied territories - by both sides - in direct contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. The causes of that conflict and their solution in the Middle East are often only partially understood and not immediately clear: there are historical, international, political, economic and existential dimensions that can require careful research to uncover and process. It can be especially difficult to show any expression of humanitarian support for peace by displaying any of the symbols of the peoples embroiled in these hostilities. The flags of either Israel or Palestine can carry hateful and inciteful meanings to many people, and any message communicated by their display might often be misunderstood without careful forethought of intention, context and place.
In Israel, the government considers the Palestinian flag to be a symbol of terrorism, and since 9 January 2023, police have been ordered to remove it from public spaces. While the state has not outright prohibited display of the Palestine flag, Israeli police have had authority since 2014 to confiscate it, whenever found used to disturb the peace or encourage terrorism. The Israeli government banned the flag following the 1967 Six-Day War, but later permitted its use by the Palestinian National Authority on ratification of the Oslo Peace accords.
Zazim - Community Action
In a movement first begun by artists in 1980, watermelon slices have been displayed by Palestinians, and as a symbol of solidarity by supporters, in a symbolic act to circumvent Israeli and increasingly, on-line censorship of the Palestinian flag and its colours. According to PBS, other symbols that have gained popularity world-wide include, "...keys, spoons, olives, doves, poppies and the keffiyeh scarf."
Freedom of Expression
Canadians used to enjoying the constitutional guarantee of fundamental freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression as laid out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms may often find it difficult to understand how simply waving a flag can lead to confiscation, arrest or even imprisonment. The right to freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy around the world. Recently however, a protester was arrested in Toronto for waving the flag of a listed entity. In many jurisdictions - Canada included - the right to freedom of expression is rightfully balanced against protections against incitement of hate, disturbing the peace and promotion of genocide. Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada, provides that it is an offence to incite hatred likely to lead to a breach of the peace, or to willfully promote hatred against any identifiable group. Individuals could be imprisoned for up to five years for advocating or promoting genocide as defined in Section 318 of the Code. Parliament has listed specific groups associated with terrorism, and display of any symbols connected to these could ultimately be interpreted as support for those entities, resulting in judicial consequences.
In Aid of Peace
You might consider displaying the United Nations flag as a strong and unmistakable statement of your support for peace and humanitarian interest. Raising the UN Flag has official meanings under international law and provides specific protections in certain circumstances - and these must be protected at all costs. The United Nations however, understands that people from time to time may wish to express a desire for peace and support their efforts. Allowance for this use has historically been protected as prescribed by the United Nations Flag Code (2020):
2. The [United Nations] flag may be used in accordance with the present Flag Code by organizations and individuals in order to demonstrate support of the United Nations and to further its principles and purposes, provided that such a display of the flag:
(a) Does not suggest any affiliation between the United Nations and the organization or individual displaying the flag;
(b) Is not for the purpose of creating any commercial advantage or goodwill; and
(c) Is limited in duration and on a temporary basis.
. . .
4. Indiscriminate display of the flag is inconsistent with the spirit of the present Flag Code and is to be strongly discouraged.