The Flag of Albania - Description of the Albanian Flag
As the above picture of the Albanian Flag indicates the overall background is Red with a black two-headed eagle in the center. Albania means Land of the Eagles
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Albanian flag represent the following:
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The basic style shown in the picture of the Albanian flag is described as Emblem -reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Albanian flag is described as 5:7
The Meaning & History of the Albanian Flag - The emblem on the Albanian flag is derived from a 1600's Coat of Arms of Gjergj Kastrioti ( known as Skanderbeg ) who led an Albanian revolt against the Ottoman Empire resulting in their brief independence from 1443 to 1468
The Albanian flag was officially adopted on April 7th 1992
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Albanian Flag Etiquette
Albanian Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Albanian as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Albanian
State Flag of Albanian
Military Flag of Albanian (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Albanian
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Albanian Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Albanian should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Albanian flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Albanian should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Albanian flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Albanian, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Albanian Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Albanian flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Albanian flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Albanian flag to the top, then lowering the Albanian Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Albanian flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Albanian flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Albanian flag
The Albanian flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Albanian flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Albanian flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Albanian Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Albanian Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Albania
Location:
South-eastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Land Size of Albania : 27,398 sq km
Climate / Weather of Albania : mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Albanian Population : 3,544,808 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Albanian Capital City: Tirana
Albanian GDP: $16.13 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Main Colors of the Albanian Flag : Red with black emblem
Concise History of Albania & its Flag
The first inhabitants of Albania were the Illyrians who were descendants of Indo-Europeans
358BC - Greeks led by Philip II of Macedonia conquered the territory
229BC - AD 395 - Romans occupy the country and divide Albania between Dalmatia, Epirus, and Macedonia
395 - 700's - Decline of the Roman Empire and Albania subjected to assaults from the Goths, Huns, Serbs, Croats, and Bulgars
732 - Constantinople and the Byzantine empire claim Albania
700's- 1300's - The influence of Christianity with Catholic and Orthodox churches, leaving Christians in southern Albania under Constantinople and those in northern Albania under the Pope in Rome
1385 - Albanian clans pay tribute and swear fealty to the Ottoman Empire (The Ottoman empire, with Islamic traditions and culture, lasted until the twentieth century)
1443 to 1468 - Gjergj Kastrioti ( known as Skanderbeg ) leads an Albanian revolt and begins holy war against the Ottoman Empire which results in a brief independence
1478 - Falls to Ottoman Turks and Christians are forced to convert to Islam
1500's - 1800's - Two thirds of the Albanian population convert to Islam
1822 - Albanian leader Ali Pasha is assassinated by Ottoman agents for promoting an autonomous state
1877-1878 - Russia defeats the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman influence in Albania is subsequently weakened
1912 - Balkan Wars begins and Albania is claimed as an independent state
1913 - Treaty of Bucharest ends Balkan Wars and Albania is recognized as an independent state ruled by a constitutional monarchy
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The Albanian Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Albanian Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
