Greece Flag: Meaning and History

Embroidered flag patch — Greece

History of the flag

The flag of Greece has nine stripes and would be a reminder of the syllables that make up the Greek motto ‘Elefthería í thánatos’ (Freedom or death), the slogan for the independence struggle of 1821.

What do the elements of the flag mean?

  • The cross represents Christian faith and victory.

  • Blue symbolizes the sky, and the five stripes represent the five seas (Mediterranean, Ionian, Dodecanese, Aegean and Thracian).

  • Embodying peace, justice and democracy, it was the color of revolutionary clothing in 1820.