The 15 Most Interesting Flags in The World

There are 195 national flags, but that doesn’t include special administrative regions or political ones.

A fantastic way to travel the world is noting each country’s flag because you’ll learn more about the history in the colors or symbols they’ve used. Perhaps you’re looking for the ultimate resource for interesting flags but you’re not sure where to begin.

Sounds familiar? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 15 to discover.

1. Bermuda

The key feature that makes Bermuda’s flag unique is a sinking ship. This is to signify the island’s notorious reputation as a hotspot for lost ships and airplanes. You’ll also notice the British coat of arms which shows it’s part of Britain’s territory.

2. Sicily

Sicily’s flag is captivating because it features a mythological creature. Although Sicily isn’t an independent country, its culture is distinctive from the rest of Italy which is symbolized in the flag.

You’ll find it’s sliced diagonally in red and yellow parts with a three-legged Medusa in the center. These legs represent Sicily’s shape, a triangle, and the ears made from corn represent the island’s renowned fertile land.

3. Mozambique

Mozambique’s flag is the only one to feature an attacking force, in this case, an AK-47. This chilling icon symbolizes the country’s ongoing struggle for independence and its defensive prowess.

Perpendicular to this is a hoe which represents the importance of agriculture in Mozambique. Both of these images slice through an open book that pays homage to the country’s love for education. And the star is a nod to internationalism and Marxism.

4. Guam

Since 1948, Guam has been a territory of the United States. This flag is dark blue which represents the ocean and the red border represents the bloodshed during World War Two. There’s also a coat of arms made up of almonds which pays homage to the tools used by the ancient people living there.

5. Nepal

You’ll notice that Nepal’s flag is the only one that doesn’t follow the traditional rectangular shape. Its jagged edges represent the Himalayan Mountains, which make up most of this country, and the blue border symbolizes harmony.

The background is red, the country’s national color, to represent the population’s brave spirit. Further, the sun and moon are Nepal’s hope that the country will survive as long as these celestial elements.

6. POW/MIA Flag

Although it’s not a country, the POW/MIA flag is an important one to mention. The POW MIA flag dates back to 1971 when a member of the National League of Families realized they needed a symbol for their loved ones missing in Southeast Asia. The flag is flown on specific days and locations such as Capitol, the White House, along with the Korean and Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.

7. South Africa

It’s no secret that South Africa has wrestled with racial tensions. When apartheid ended in 1994, the country adopted a new flag to symbolize unity. The “Y” in the flag represents the society unifying and the red, white, and blue are the colors of the Boer Republics. There’s also black to represent the people, green for the land’s fertility, and gold which symbolizes the mineral that the country’s famous for.

8. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan got a new flag when it became independent from the Soviet Union. There’s a sun in the center which symbolizes wealth against a red backdrop that represents bravery. You’ll also notice 40 rays from the sun which pay homage to the 40 Kyrgyz tribes that unified against the Mongols.

9. India

Over the years, India has had many flags but the one we know today was created to celebrate the country’s independence in 1947. The top band is saffron to symbolize India’s courage, the white signifies peace and truth, and the bottom is green to represent the country’s fertility and growth.

In the middle is a blue wheel, known as the Dharmachakra, which presents the Hindu concept of Dharma (cosmic law and order).

10. Bhutan

Bhutan’s flag is unique because of the white dragon which represents the purity of inner thoughts. It’s also clutching jewels that reveal the country’s wealth.

The yellow symbolizes the king’s authority while the orange signifies the country’s Buddhist tradition.

11. China

China’s flag is commonly known as the ‘five-star red flag’ and one glance will show you why. The red background symbolizes the Communist revolution and good luck, the traditional color in Chinese culture. And the largest star represents the Communist Party Leadership whereas the smaller ones represent the different classes of society.

12. Iceland

Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1944 which meant they needed a new flag. Iceland still has the cross, a Christian symbol, in blue. The red symbolizes the country’s volcanic fires while the white signifies Iceland’s snowy landscape.

13. Cuba

Cuba’s flag has three colors, all equally important. The blue bands represent the military districts of colonial Cuba whereas white stands for purity. Lastly, the red symbolizes the bloodshed when they struggled for independence.

14. Antwerp

Antwerp’s flag is striking as it looks like a chessboard. It’s made of 24 square pieces, four rows, and six columns. The upper right and lower left are white while the others are a mix of red, blue, and white. This is to represent Antwerp, Mechelen, and Turnhout, all places in Belgium.

15. Jamaica

Jamaica’s flag has a gold saltire which divides the flag into four sections. The black symbolizes the population’s creativity, the gold represents the natural wealth, whereas the green signifies hope.

These Are the Most Interesting Flags

Hopefully, you enjoyed our list of interesting flags.

Whether it’s the Iceland or Indian flag, they all give the viewer a glimpse into their complicated histories. But once you take the time to discover what they symbolize, you learn what makes each country special.

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