Buzz
Flags are designed to symbolize unity, but in many cases, they end up creating division. Given the deep emotional ties to patriotism, it’s no surprise that efforts to alter a flag or display one that represents a minority group within a nation can spark conflict. This list explores 10 flags that have stirred controversy.
10. The Rainbow Flag
The Rainbow or Pride Flag, representing the LGBT community, stands for the pride of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, and their social movements. In use since the 1970s, its colorful stripes symbolize the diversity within the LGBT community, making it a popular emblem in pride marches. Although it originated in the United States, its message has spread globally. Designed in 1978 by artist Gilbert Baker from San Francisco, it has been redesigned a few times to accommodate changes in fabric availability. The current version, adopted in 2008, features six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, often flown with red on top, mimicking the natural order of a rainbow.
9. The Angus Flag
In 2007, Angus, one of the 32 council areas in Scotland, witnessed a controversial decision by the Angus Council to replace the Saltire, Scotland’s national flag, with a newly designed Angus flag. The move sparked significant public backlash, with over 7,000 people signing a petition against it. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, and the Angus flag was not to replace the Saltire but to be flown alongside it on council buildings. The new design, which was seen by critics as both a waste of resources and a politically charged gesture, features four quarters: a crowned lion passant, a cinquefoil, a checked strip crossed with a buckled belt, and a representation of the heart of Robert the Bruce, symbolizing the four ancient earldoms of Angus.
8. The Sun of Vergina Flag
On August 11, 1992, the newly-independent Republic of Macedonia introduced a new flag to replace the old Communist-era ‘red star’ emblem. The flag featured a stylized yellow sun in the center of a red field, with eight primary and eight secondary rays extending outward, tapering to points. This symbol, known as the Vergina Sun or Vergina Star, was named after the Greek town where it was uncovered in archaeological excavations of the ancient Macedonian city of Aigai. It had also been embraced by many in the Socialist Republic of Macedonia as a representation of the historical ties between their nation and ancient Macedon, appearing at demonstrations by ethnic Macedonians both domestically and internationally.
The flag, the new state’s constitution, and its name became the center of a fierce dispute between Greece and Macedonia. In February 1994, Greece imposed an economic blockade on the Republic. In July 1995, Greece filed a request with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to obtain exclusive rights to the Vergina Sun. Greek opposition also stopped the flag from being flown at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The blockade was lifted in October 1995 after an agreement was reached to change the flag, amend the constitution, and resolve the naming conflict through negotiations facilitated by the United Nations.
7. The Pre-Islamic Revolution Iranian Flag
Similar to the current Iranian flag, the pre-Islamic Revolution version featured horizontal bands of green, white, and red. However, its emblem contained a lion, sun, and sword, instead of the four crescents and sword introduced by the Islamic regime in 1980. The display of the pre-Revolutionary flag at recent U.S. rallies against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election has sparked tensions between two generations of protesters. Both groups aimed to show solidarity with Iranian protesters, yet they interpret the flag very differently. Older supporters of Iran’s former Shah often display the flag at demonstrations, with some hoping for the restoration of a constitutional monarchy or a secular democracy without a royal figurehead. Younger protesters, however, are wary of giving the regime any reason to link them with efforts to topple the current government, often urging the older protesters to set aside the flag.
6. Japan’s Rising Sun Flag
The Rising Sun Flag served as the military flag of Japan. It was originally used as the ensign for the Imperial Japanese Navy and the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army until the conclusion of World War II. Today, it remains the ensign of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the war flag of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The flag is also waved during the Japanese New Year and at sporting events. Its design resembles Japan's national flag with a red circle in the center symbolizing the sun, but the key difference is the inclusion of additional sun rays—16 in total for the ensign—symbolizing Japan’s title as 'The Land of the Rising Sun.' This flag was present in overseas campaigns from the Meiji era through WWII. After Japan's defeat in 1945, the flag was banned by the Allied Occupation authorities. It was later reinstated in 1954 with the formation of a Self-Defense Force. The flag with 16 rays is currently used by the Maritime Self-Defense Force, while the Ground Self-Defense Force uses a version with only 8 rays. In countries that were affected by Japanese wartime actions, particularly China and Korea, this flag is often viewed as a symbol of Japanese imperialism and is considered offensive.
5. The Patriotes Flag
The Patriotes flag is a symbol deeply connected to political nationalism in Quebec, often associated with hardline separatists. It was first used by the Patriote movement in Lower Canada, now known as Quebec, from 1832 to 1838. Its design closely resembles the civil flag of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Some speculate that the color green was chosen to represent the Irish population of Lower Canada, white for the French Canadians, and red for the English settlers. Others believe that the flag's tricolor layout was inspired by the French tricolor, a symbol of the French Revolution, which greatly influenced the Patriotes. This flag became the national flag of the Republic of Lower Canada after the Declaration of Independence in 1838.
In modern times, the Patriotes flag is embraced by supporters of Quebec's independence as a symbol of their political aspirations. It holds a similar meaning to the Estelada flags, which represent the Catalan independence movement. The flag is commonly seen during Quebec National Day celebrations and was prominently displayed during the 1995 Quebec referendum, especially among those supporting the 'YES' vote for independence.
4. The Flag of Europe
The Flag of Europe is the official flag and emblem of both the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE). It features a circle of 12 golden stars set against a blue background. The blue color symbolizes the Western world, while the 12 stars represent completeness and unity. Their arrangement in a circle signifies the idea of unity among European nations. The number of stars remains constant, regardless of the number of member states, as they are intended to symbolize all Europeans, including those outside the scope of European integration.
In 1985, the European Union, which was then known as the European Economic Community (EEC), officially adopted its flag, marking the first time the organization had an emblem of its own. The initiative came from the European Parliament. While the flag is not mentioned in the EU's founding treaties and its inclusion was dropped alongside the European Constitution, it is nonetheless formally recognized by law. Despite being the flag of both the EU and the Council of Europe, it is most commonly associated with the EU, largely due to the Union's prominence and widespread use of the emblem. The flag has also been seen representing Europe in international sports and as a symbol of pro-democracy movements outside the Union. However, its use can be controversial, particularly among Eurosceptics who oppose the EU or European integration.
3. The Flag of the USA
Known as the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Star-Spangled Banner, the American flag consists of fifty stars, each representing one of the fifty states, and thirteen stripes, symbolizing the original thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule and formed the first states in the Union.
For many, the American flag stands as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and opportunity, emblematic of the ideals that the United States represents. For others, it serves as a reminder of the nation's military presence globally or its economic influence. Although it is sometimes seen in protest, notably with the burning of the flag in the Middle East, acts of flag desecration also occur within the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as symbolic speech, making it unconstitutional for the government—federal, state, or local—to ban such acts.
In my view, the contemporary era of multiculturalism in the United States has led to a diminished respect for the significance of American symbols. The earliest immigrant generations in America made a concerted effort to assimilate into American society and embraced the freedoms they were granted—freedoms that were often absent in the cultures they had left behind.
2. The Confederate Flag
The Confederate battle flag, known by several names including the Southern Cross, Stars and Bars, Dixie Flag, and The Rebel Flag, has been seen by some as a proud symbol of Southern heritage, while others view it as a painful reminder of slavery and segregation. In the past, many Southern states displayed the Confederate battle flag alongside the U.S. and state flags at their statehouses. Some even incorporated the contentious symbol into their state flags. The flag remains a highly divisive and emotional issue, primarily due to differing interpretations of what it represents. This has led to political debates over its use in Southern state flags, at sporting events, on university campuses, and on public buildings.
Historian Shelby Foote, a Civil War expert and native Southerner, has noted that the Confederate flag was traditionally a symbol of the South's resistance to Northern political control. It took on a more racially charged meaning during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s when opposition to desegregation became the central focus of that resistance.
1. The Flag of Iraq
On January 21, 2008, the Iraqi parliament adopted a new version of the national flag. In this updated design, the three stars were removed, and the Takbir (the phrase 'Allaahu Akbar,' meaning 'God is Great') remained in green Kufic script. The flag has stirred controversy, as some Iraqis question the legitimacy of the government while foreign troops are still present in Iraq. The removal of the stars, once associated with the country's previous Sunni-led regime, has especially angered some Sunni tribal leaders. However, by April 2009, Anbar province was seen raising the new flag, as documented on the official Anbar province website. According to The New York Times, the newly imposed flag design is meant to be temporary, with many Iraqis expressing mixed views on the change.
