|
Flags and Nations of the World Index
Flags
Trivia Quiz ! |
Iceland Flag
|
 |
|
Flag of Iceland - Description of the Iceland Flag
-
As the
above picture of the Iceland Flag indicates the overall
background is Blue
-
The description of
the Flag of Iceland is as follows:
-
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Iceland flag represent the
following:
-
White -
symbolizes the glaciers and peace and honesty
-
Red -
symbolizes the fire in the volcanoes and hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
-
Blue -
symbolizes the sea and vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
-
The
basic style shown in the picture of the Iceland flag is
described as Scandinavian Cross 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 Iceland flag is described as
18:25
-
The left
half of the flag
( viewer's left side )
is called the Hoist and pictures the vertical part of the cross
-
The flag of Iceland
was adopted in 1915
-
The Meaning
& History of the Iceland Flag - The Iceland Flag is based on
the Dannebrog (the Danish Flag) as Iceland was once a territory
of Denmark
|
|
 |
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
Iceland
Flag Etiquette
-
Iceland 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 Iceland as follows:
-
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
-
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Iceland Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
-
The National flag of
Iceland 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 Iceland flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
-
A tattered or faded flag of
Iceland should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
-
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Iceland flag is
always
flown the correct way up
-
A Flag of Iceland, 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 Iceland Flag display
- Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Iceland flag, as on a rope
- Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Iceland flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
- Performed
by first raising the Iceland flag to the top, then lowering the
Iceland Flag halfway
- Distress -
denoted by flying the Iceland flag upside-down
- Manner of
hoisting - The Iceland flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
- No
disrespect should be shown to the Iceland flag
- The Iceland 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 Iceland
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
Iceland flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
- International Flag relating to Iceland
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 Iceland Flag Etiquette has provided a useful
resource
|
|
Iceland |
 |
|
Location: |
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK |
-
Land Size of
Iceland : 100,250 sq km
-
Climate / Weather
of Iceland : temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current;
mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
-
Population of
Iceland : 293,966 (July 2004 est.)
-
Capital City of
Iceland : Reykjavik
-
GDP of Iceland :
$8.678 billion (2003 est.)
-
Main Industries :
fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production,
geothermal power; tourism
-
Agricultural
products : potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products,
fish
-
Currency of Iceland
: Icelandic krona (ISK)
-
Main Colors of
Iceland Flag : Blue
|
Concise History of
Iceland & its Flag
- AD 800 Celts
(Irish and Scottish) are believed to have discovered and settled
in Iceland
- 874 The
Scandinavian Vikings established settlements in Iceland
- 930 The
World's oldest parliament parliament, the Althing, held its
first meeting
- 982 The
Viking, Eric the Red, discovers Greenland after being banned
from Iceland by the Althing due to manslaughter
- 1000 By a
unique act of law, Icelanders voted to become Christians at the
Althing
- 1000 Leif
Eríksson (aka Leif The lucky) discovers North America
- 1120-1230
Scandinavian sagas were documented in Iceland by a nobleman
called Snorri Sturluson
- 1262
Icelanders entered into confederacy with Norway
- 1350: the
Black plague, "Svartedauen" sweeps Scandinavia and Iceland
killing one third of the inhabitants
- 1387 The
Kalmar Act of Union when Norway and Iceland become united with
Denmark
- 1584 The
Bible is translated into Icelandic
- 1783-86
Volcanic eruptions in occur ruining the land which led to the
starvation of animals and approx 25% of the Icelandic people
- 1800 The
Althing meetings are banned by the Danish king
- 1843 The
Althing Parliament is re-established as a consultative body
- 1874 A new
constitution is given to Iceland by the Danish King Christian IX
- 1904
Icelandic Home rule is declared under Denmark
- 1914-18
World War I
- 1918 Denmark
recognizes Iceland as a sovereign state
- 1939 -
Denmark signs 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany
- 1940 April
9th - Germany invades Denmark
- 1940 Iceland
is occupied by British troops to prevent German invasion
- 1941
American forces take over defence of Iceland from British
- 1941 May
17th - Icelanders requested total independence
- 1944 June
17th The Republic of Iceland was formally established
- 1939 - 1945
WW11
- August 1945
The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- 1945 -
Germany surrenders and occupation ends
- 1975 Fishery
limits are extended to 200 miles starting the "Cod war" with
Great Britain
- 1976 Great
Britain and Iceland sign an agreement to end the 'Cod War'
|
|
The
Flag and Nation of Iceland
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Flag and Country of Iceland 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! |
|
|
Iceland Flag |
|
