Flag of Nigerian - Description of the Nigerian Flag
As the
above picture of the Nigerian Flag indicates three equal
vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Nigerian flag represent the
following:
White -
peace and honesty
Green -
hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred
significance
All Flag
pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view,
from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Nigerian flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
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
Nigerian
Flag Etiquette
Nigerian 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 Nigerian as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Nigerian
State Flag of
Nigerian
Military Flag of
Nigerian (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of
Nigerian
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Nigerian Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The National flag of
Nigerian 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 Nigerian flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Nigerian should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Nigerian flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Nigerian, 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 Nigerian Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Nigerian flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Nigerian flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Nigerian flag to the top, then lowering the
Nigerian Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Nigerian flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Nigerian flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Nigerian flag
The Nigerian 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 Nigerian
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
Nigerian flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to
Nigerian
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 Nigerian Flag Etiquette has provided a useful
resource
Nigerian
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of
Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Nigerian Land Size : 910,768 sq km
Nigerian Climate / Weather
: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center,
arid in north
Population of
Nigeria : 137,253,133
Former Name(s) :
n/a
Capital City of
Nigeria : Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was
officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja
Nigerian GDP :
$110.8 billion (2003 est.)
Nigerian Main Industries :
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton,
rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other
construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals,
fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
The earliest
human ancestory (Homo erectus and Homo habilis) lived in East
Africa more than 2 million years ago
700AD -
Arabian and Persians trade with ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells
and slaves
Arab traders
settle and bring a Muslim influence to the culture
1200 -
1800's - The Kanem-Bornu Empire dominate northern Nigeria
1800's -
Nigeria comes under the loose control of an Islamic empire
1800-1900's
- European slave traders establish coastal ports for the
increasing traffic in slaves destined for the Americas
The slaves
were emancipated in the 1830's
1901 -
Nigeria became a British protectorate
1914 -
Nigeria became a British colony
1914 - 1918
WW1
1939 - 1945
WW11
August 1945
The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
1960 -
Nigeria was granted full independence
The Nigerian
flag was designed in 1959 and first officially hoisted on
October 1, 1960
A series of
Coups have resulted in turbulent and violent recent years
"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
Nigerian Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Nigerian Flag and Country 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!
