Gibraltar Flag

Gibraltar Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

Flag of Gibraltar - Description of the Gibraltar Flag
  • As the above picture of the Gibraltar Flag indicates the background is bi-color - Red and White
  • According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Gibraltar flag represent the following:
    • White - peace and honesty
    • Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
  • The basic style shown in the picture of the Gibraltar flag is described Emblem -reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
  • The Flag of Gibraltar has two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with an emblem of a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band
 

 
 
  • All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
  • The shape and flag ratio of the Gibraltar flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
  • The emblem on the Gibraltar flag pictures a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band. Hanging from the castle gate is a gold key which is centered in the red band
  • The Meaning & History of the Gibraltar Flag
    • The Gibraltar emblem depicts the Gibraltan Coat of Arms consisting of a triple-towered castle with a golden key which were granted to "The Most Loyal City of Gibraltar" by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the year 1502
    • The Gold key refers to the colony's important position at the gateway to the Mediterranean
    • The strategic military importance of Gibraltar is represented by its castle
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
  • The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
  • Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
  • The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
  • Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
  • Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
 
 
Terminology & Etiquette in Gibraltar Flag display
  • Hoist - the act or function of raising the Gibraltar flag, as on a rope
  • Half Staff or Half Mast - the Gibraltar flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
    • Performed by first raising the Gibraltar flag to the top, then lowering the Gibraltar Flag halfway
  • Distress - denoted by flying the Gibraltar flag upside-down
  • Manner of hoisting - The Gibraltar flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
  • No disrespect should be shown to the Gibraltar flag
  • The Gibraltar flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
  • The Gibraltar flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
  • The Gibraltar flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
  • International Flag relating to Gibraltar Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
  • We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Gibraltar Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
 
Flag History & Evolution:
  • The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
  • Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
  • Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
  • An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
  • The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
  • These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
  • The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
  • The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a new flag
 
 
Gibraltar Flag Etiquette
  • Gibraltar Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
  • Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Gibraltar as follows:
  • Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
    • National Flag of Gibraltar
    • State Flag of Gibraltar
    • Military Flag of Gibraltar (in order of creation date)
    • Other Flag of Gibraltar
  • The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Gibraltar Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
  • The National flag of Gibraltar should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
  • The Gibraltar flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
  • A tattered or faded flag of Gibraltar should be removed and replaced with a new flag
  • Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Gibraltar flag is always flown the correct way up
  • A Flag of Gibraltar, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
 

National Flags of the World Map

Gibraltar

Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering
the Strait of Gibraltar, which links
the Mediterranean Sea and
the North Atlantic Ocean,
on the southern coast
of Spain

 
 
Gibraltar
  • Land Size of Gibraltar : 6.5 sq km
  • Climate / Weather of Gibraltar : Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
  • Population of Gibraltar : 27,833 (July 2004 est.)
  • Former Name(s) : n/a
  • Capital City of Gibraltar : Gibraltar
  • GDP of Gibraltar : $500 million (1997 est.)
  • Main Industries :  tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
  • Currency of Gibraltar : Gibraltar pound (GIP)
  • Agricultural products : none
  • Main Colors of Gibraltar Flag : Red and White
  • Commonly mis-spelt as Gibralter
 
Concise History of Gibraltar & its Flag
  • The Phonenicians first named it Calpe after one of the Columns of Hercules
  • The Coat of Arms were granted to "The Most Loyal City of Gibraltar" by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the year 1502
  • An Anglo-Dutch force led by Sir George Rooke seized the Rock in 1704
  • The name Gibraltar comes from the Arabic Jabal Tariq which means "Tariq's mountain" reflecting the famous Rock of Gibraltar
  • Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht
  • The British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830
  • 1914 - 1918 WW1
  • The Coat of Arms were confirmed as the arms of the city by the British in 1936
  • 1939 - 1945 WW11
  • August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, 98% of Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted to remain a British dependency
 
 
The Flag and Nation of Gibraltar

We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Gibraltar has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun!

 

Gibraltar Flag

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