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Facts About Flags That Look Alike

The national flag of any country is unique, and it is the country's representation, including all its features. Read this article to learn facts about flags.

The national flag of a country contains all its pride and represents that nation. It is an ideal symbolisation of a country, proudly flown by the people of the country or the concerned authorities. Every flag is different from the other, and they can be distinguished based on colours, symbols, shapes, stripes, etc. They are meant to be unique and of extreme importance to the nation. There are no two same flags now, but some of the flags might resemble very closely. So to discuss such flags, we shall know some facts about flags, which would help us gather information on specific titles given to different parts of a flag. 

Some Interesting Facts About Flags

  1. The city of Denmark has the oldest flag in the world. The Danish flag is popularly known as the Dannebrog, and resources tell that it was found in the 13th century. To be more precise, it got its official recognition later, in 1625, as the national flag.
  2.  The field or base is the primary body of the flag. For instance, the Australian flag does have a plain blue area, while the Denmark flag seems to have a red field.
  3. A logo or graphic at the left of the top side is common. Like fifty stars for the United States on a background of 13 stripes. In the New Zealand flag, we have a Union Jack and sun on the flag of Uruguay.
  4. Certain flags are split in stripes, horizontally and vertically and don’t have a plain colour. Horizontal stripes are called fesses, and if they are vertical and perpendicular, they are called pales.
  5.  Symbols are present at the upper edge. Any badge, including a coat of arms, or even a symbol, including a moon, a bird, or something more futuristic, could be used. A Canadian flag has a maple leaf. 
  6. There are several exceptions to the rule that almost all flags are usually rectangular. But in Swiss and Vatican City, the flags appear precisely square. However, Nepal’s flag contains five sides shaped like a double pennon.

Why Do Some Flags Look Alike?

Each similar-looking flag has some obscure flag facts and has a tale to tell about its heritage, tradition, or origin. Patterns & colours that are common resemble aspects of a country’s flag. Flags of Northern countries, for instance, are relevant due to their use of crosses with similar colour schemes in the flag, which can be credited in parts to Denmark’s founding.

Similarly, the Pan-Arabic emblem, which primarily represents the Islamic world, is an identical design. Several countries chose the concept to symbolise proud heritage and feature a moon and stars from the Ottomans based on the rule change. Flags change over the years due to various influences, including colonisation, and religions, among others.

Facts About Flags and List of Flags That Look-Alike

  • Chad & Romania

These two flags precisely match each other so much that their size and design are also the same, with only minor shade changes between the stripes of blue, red and yellow colour, which are visible under careful inspection.

  • Australia & New Zealand

Both flags depict a stylised rendition of the Southern Cross symbol and thus are modelled here on British Blues Ensign. The shape of the constellations, the inclusion of a sixth, bigger “commonwealth” star on the flag of Australia, and shade variances in the reds and blues are some differences.

  • Iceland & Norway

Norway & Iceland are twin flags that exhibit bravery and flair with brilliant colours. They are frequently confused with each other. Both flags feature the same design, but the colours are different, making it easier to tell them apart under close observation. Furthermore, both flags share a common ancestor, the Danish flag.

  • Ireland and Côte d’Ivoire

Another set of flags appears to be the same at first look but is distinctly diverse if examined closely. Both flags have different meanings, yet their colours are similar, making them difficult to distinguish. The colour arrangement for both flags is notable, with Ireland’s colours being green-white-orange and the Ivory Coast flag being orange-white-green.

  • Senegal and Mali

While there are subtle colour variances, the two flags have the same proportions with the same colour pattern stripes. The green star in the centre strip of Senegal’s flag is also distinctive.

Conclusion

The fact about flags is that there are no two flags that look exactly similar. Still, several flags appear the same due to their colour-combination, size and dimensions, symbols, similar stripes, etc. But if we talk about some obscure flag facts, there is always a slight difference between them, whether it’s a darker shade of colour used, a different coloured symbol, or stripes. As the citizens of any country, we should be proud of our national flag and know more facts about flags and why it has been created this way.

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Frequently asked questions

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