Flag of Canadian - Description of the Canadian Flag
As the above picture of the Canadian Flag indicates the overall color is red and white
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Canadian flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The official Canadian colours were proclaimed in 1921 by King George V
The basic style shown in the picture of the Canadian 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 Canadian flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist and red dominates half the width
The right half of the flag is called the Fly and also features the color red on half the width
The center of the flag is a white square between the two vertical bands of red
them;
The emblem on the Canadian flag pictures an 11-pointed red maple leaf which is centered in the white square
The Meaning & History of the Canadian Flag - The Maple Leaf emblem has no specific significance other than what it depicts - a stylized representation of a natural maple leaf
The National Flag of Canada is popularly referred to as the Maple Leaf Flag
The French name is l'Unifolié meaning the "the one-leaved"
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
Canadian Flag Etiquette
Canadian 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 Canadian as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Canadian
State Flag of Canadian
Military Flag of Canadian (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Canadian
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Canadian Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Canadian 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 Canadian flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Canadian should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Canadian flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Canadian, 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 Canadian Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Canadian flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Canadian flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Canadian flag to the top, then lowering the Canadian Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Canadian flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Canadian flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Canadian flag
The Canadian 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 Canadian 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 Canadian flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Canadian 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 Canadian Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Canada
Location:
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north
Canadian Land Size : 9,984,670 sq km
Canadian Climate / Weather : varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Canadian Population : 32,507,874 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : N/A
Capital City of Canada : Ottawa
Canadian GDP : $957.7 billion (2003 est.)
Canadian Main Industries : transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Currency of Canada : Canadian dollar (CAD)
Canadian Agricultural products : wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish
Main Colors of Canada Flag : Red and White
Concise History of the Canadian Flag
Canada used the British Union Jack as its official national flag, prior to Confederation
The Canadian flag was designed by George Stanley and inspired by the Royal Military College of Canada flag
The Canadian flag was officially proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth II on February 15, 1965
February 15 has since been commemorated as National Flag of Canada Day
The word Canada originated a Huron Iroquoian word - Kanata meaning "village" which referred to the settlement of Stadacona which was situated on the site of Quebec City
The first people of Canada were the Native Americans and the Inuit
The Inuit were believed to have originated from the Artic
The Vikings travelled and settled to the Canadian land in the 1000's
Europeans, notably the French, settled in Canada in the 1500's & 1600's
In the 1700' the Canadian colony was passed to the British
In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was formed and self-government was granted to Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Quebec (formerly Lower Canada), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia
1914 - 1918 WW1
In 1931 other British colonies and territories joined the confederation
1939 - 1945 WW11
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In 1982 the Canadian constitution was adopted
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Flag and Nation of Canada
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Canadian Flag and Country of Canada has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag 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!
