Flag of Gibraltar - Description of the Gibraltar Flag
As the above picture of the Gibraltar Flag indicates the background is bi-color - Red and White
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Gibraltar flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The basic style shown in the picture of the Gibraltar flag is described Emblem -reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
The Flag of Gibraltar has two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with an emblem of a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Gibraltar flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The emblem on the Gibraltar flag pictures a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band. Hanging from the castle gate is a gold key which is centered in the red band
The Meaning & History of the Gibraltar Flag
The Gibraltar emblem depicts the Gibraltan Coat of Arms consisting of a triple-towered castle with a golden key which were granted to "The Most Loyal City of Gibraltar" by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the year 1502
The Gold key refers to the colony's important position at the gateway to the Mediterranean
The strategic military importance of Gibraltar is represented by its castle
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
Gibraltar Flag Etiquette
Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Gibraltar
State Flag of Gibraltar
Military Flag of Gibraltar (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Gibraltar
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Gibraltar Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Gibraltar should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Gibraltar flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Gibraltar, 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 Gibraltar Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Gibraltar flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Gibraltar flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Gibraltar flag to the top, then lowering the Gibraltar Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Gibraltar flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Gibraltar flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Gibraltar flag
The Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Gibraltar 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 Gibraltar Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Gibraltar
Location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Land Size of Gibraltar : 6.5 sq km
Climate / Weather of Gibraltar : Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Population of Gibraltar : 27,833 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Capital City of Gibraltar : Gibraltar
GDP of Gibraltar : $500 million (1997 est.)
Main Industries : tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Currency of Gibraltar : Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Agricultural products : none
Main Colors of Gibraltar Flag : Red and White
Commonly mis-spelt as Gibralter
Concise History of Gibraltar & its Flag
The Phonenicians first named it Calpe after one of the Columns of Hercules
The Coat of Arms were granted to "The Most Loyal City of Gibraltar" by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the year 1502
An Anglo-Dutch force led by Sir George Rooke seized the Rock in 1704
The name Gibraltar comes from the Arabic Jabal Tariq which means "Tariq's mountain" reflecting the famous Rock of Gibraltar
Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht
The British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830
1914 - 1918 WW1
The Coat of Arms were confirmed as the arms of the city by the British in 1936
1939 - 1945 WW11
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, 98% of Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted to remain a British dependency
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The Flag and Nation of Gibraltar
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Gibraltar 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!
