The flag of the United Nations is a sky blue banner containing the United Nations' emblem in the centre. The emblem on the flag is coloured white; it is a depiction of the world map in the azimuthal equidistant projection (centred on the North Pole and the International Date Line), surrounded by a pair of olive branches. The emblem was officially adopted on 7 December 1946, and the flag containing the emblem was officially adopted on 20 October 1947.[1]
The size of the emblem on the flag is one half the width of the flag itself. The flag proportions of the aspect ratio of the flag height to its width, are equal 2:3, 3:5 or to the same proportions as the national flag of any country in which the UN flag is flown.[2] White and blue are the official colours of the United Nations. The light blue background colour code is Pantone Matching System 2925. It approximates sky blue.[3]
Insignia displayed on the cover of the United Nations Charter, from 26 June 1945, predating the official adoption of a flag of the United Nations. Notably, the lower, upright part of the globe is centered on 100° West, which places North America at prominence. Later versions of the United Nations insignia changes this to align closer to, and eventually at, the prime meridian (0° longitude). The "United Nations Honour Flag", used as a symbol of the wartime allies, c. 1943–1948
The blue that appears in the background of the insignia was chosen to be "the opposite of red, the war colour",[8] although the exact shade has never been officially specified by the United Nations. The original colour the group chose in 1945 was a gray blue that differs from the current United Nations flag, unofficially called "Stettinius Blue", and it was selected because at that time it was not in use in any national flag[9] The globe used in the original design was an azimuthal projection focused on the North Pole with the United States, the host nation of the conference, at the centre. The projection that was used cut off portions of the Southern Hemisphere below 40 degrees south latitude, because that's where the Rand McNally map used as a model cut off, and the designers did not have time to find another map;[1] this was considered acceptable because Argentina, Chile and New Zealand were not yet planned to be members of the United Nations.[10] The projection was later altered so that the globe was centered on the International Date Line and extend to 60 degrees south. According to official explanations, the change was made to represent countries "as far as possible in their proper relationship to the cardinal points"[1] and "so the east and west were in balance".[5]
In 1946, a UNO committee was tasked to make a definite design, which was presented 2 December 1946. The emblem was adopted by the plenary session of the UNO on 7 December 1946, and the flag was officially adopted on 20 October 1947.[1]
The IAEA has a flag with the same colours and olive branches as the United Nations. The central symbol is the Bohr model of the Beryllium-atom with four electrons.[11] The IAEA is independent of but reporting to the United Nations.
Has the same colours as the United Nations; its symbol is a Greek temple (possibly the Parthenon), representing science, learning and culture. The six columns are made of the letters of the organization's name.
Has the olive leaves of the UN flag, with a hand clutching grains in the centre, in place of the globe. The white/blue colours of the UN flag are reversed in the WFP flag.
The flag of the ICC, though not an organ of the UN, resembles that of a UN agency.
National flags
The UN flag is the origin of a family of national flags. Because of the UN's association with peace and cooperation, UN-inspired flags are often adopted by states that have experienced conflict or instability. Many states with UN-inspired flags either were or were a part of United Nations trust territories.
The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was introduced by the UN High Representative Carlos Westendorp after the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina could not agree on a common flag. The color scheme references the flag of Europe as much or more than the UN.
The flag of Kosovo, was adopted 17 February 2008. Until then, Kosovo had been under the administration of the United Nations since 10 June 1999 and had used the UN flag for official purposes.
The flag of the Northern Mariana Islands is also derived from the former UN-inspired flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, of which it was a part.
The subnational flags, flags of constituent political entities of some states with UN-inspired flags, states that either were or were a part of United Nations trust territories, sometimes also derive inspiration from the flag of the United Nations.
Yap State is one of four constituent states of the Federated States of Micronesia. The flag of Yap State features an azure field with a ring surrounding a traditional sailing canoe and voided circle with star, all in white.
Municipal flags
The municipal flags of constituent political entities of some states with UN-inspired flags, states that either were or were a part of United Nations trust territories, sometimes also derive inspiration from the flag of the United Nations.
The UN flag is depicted in the background of former UN Secretary-GeneralDag Hammarskjöld on Sweden's 1,000 SEK banknote, the currency's highest denomination. The banknotes have been in circulation since October 2015.[12]
^Or using the same proportions of the national flag of whatever country it is being flown in, with the emblem being centered and one half of the hoist.
^Immerwahr, Daniel (2019). "13. Kilroy was here". How to hide an empire: geography, territory, and power in the greater united states. The Bodley Head ltd. ISBN978-1847923998. OCLC1038055837.
^Borts, Lawrence H. (1998). Medals and Ribbons - The Medals and Ribbons of The United Nations. Fountain Inn, SC: Medals of America Press. p. 36. ISBN1-884452-31-0.
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