Cyprus: Historical flags

Last modified: 2001-11-16 by ivan sache
Keywords: cyprus | olive tree | geographic outline | map | copper | lions: 2 (red) | blue ensign |
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• First flag at independence (1960)
• British rule

See also:

• Cyprus
• British colonial flags

First flag at independence (1960)

by Zeljko Heimer

Smith [smi75c] says: "The first proposal for a Cypriot flag had a white field with a large, rust-brown K (the first letter in the name "Cyprus" both in Turkish and Greek). Apparently considered too distinctive a design, this was rejected in favor of a flag similar to the present one. The first official version, in use for about a year, differed from the current one in having a white island with the yellow border instead of a solid yellow silhouette."

Ivan Sache 31 July 1999

The 1960 Cypriot flag with the map of the island only outlined was in use from April to August 1960.

Zeljko Heimer 30 July 1999

British rule

Before its independence in 1960, Cyprus had a British Blue Ensign with two red lions passant on the fly, stacked atop each other.

Robert Lloyd Wheelock 27 May 1999

The two lion badge was introduced 1905. It was supposed to represent the lions borne on the shield of Richard I (Richard Coeur de Lion) who with Phillip II Augustus of France occupied Cyprus in 1190, during the Third Crusade.

David Prothero 29 May 1999