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!
