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!
