The Flag of Poland - Description of the Polish Flag
As the above picture of the Polish Flag indicates the bicolor of Red and white
The description of the Polish Flag is as follows:
Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Polish flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Polish flag is described as 5:8
The Meaning & History of the Polish Flag
The Kingdom of Poland and the Polish flag were born in September 1917
The Polish flag was adopted on August 1, 1919
The red and white colors have been associated with Poland since the 1200's
The Polish symbol is the white eagle which has been used since the 1300's
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
Polish Flag Etiquette
Polish 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 Polish as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Polish
State Flag of Polish
Military Flag of Polish (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Polish
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Polish Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Polish 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 Polish flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Polish should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Polish flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Polish, 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 Polish Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Polish flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Polish flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Polish flag to the top, then lowering the Polish Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Polish flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Polish flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Polish flag
The Polish 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 Polish 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 Polish flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Polish 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 Polish Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Poland
Location:
Central Europe, east of Germany
Polish Land Size : 304,465 sq km
Polish Climate / Weather : temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Polish Population : 38,626,349 (July 2004 est.)
Polish Capital City: Warsaw
Polish GDP: $426.7 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
The Slavs The Slavic people who were the most numerous ethnic group in Europe:
The 'West Slavs' were the Poles, the Czechs and the Slovaks
The 'East Slavs' consisted of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians
The 'South Slavs' consisted of Bulgarians, Croats, Macedonians Serbs and Slovenians
In the early Middle Ages Slavs were often used as slaves which is possibly the origin of the generic term 'Slavs'
Concise History of Poland & its Flag
900's - The Polania tribe became dominant
966 - Duke Mieszko I became Poland's first recorded Christian leader
966 - 1370 The Piast Polish Dynasty
1382 - 1572 The Jagiellonian Dynasty
1572 - 1795 The Royal Republic
1700s - The Three Partitions of Poland - Russia, Prussia and Austria divide Poland amongst themselves
1914-18 World War I - Poles were forced into the Russian, German, and Austrian armies and forced to fight each other
11 November 1918 - Poland becomes independent
23 August 1939 - Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression pact and threaten Poland
1939 - 1945 World War II
1939 1st September Germany invades Poland
1939 17th September Soviet Union invades eastern Poland
1944 The Warsaw Uprising - Poland comes under Soviet control
1980 Strike leader Lech Walesa is elected as the head of Solidarity
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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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
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The Polish Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Polish Flag and Country 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!
