| South African Flag FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY |
The Flag of South Africa - Description of the South African Flag- As the above picture of the South African Flag indicates a multi-color flag
- The description of the South African Flag is as follows:
- Two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side
- The Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands
- The red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes
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- According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the South African flag represent the following:
- Yellow - a symbol of generosity and for the natural resources i.e. gold
- White - peace and honesty and the people of European origin
- Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour and for bloodshed
- Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice and the open blue skies
- Green - hope, joy and love and for the land
- Black - Determination and the black population
- All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
- The shape and flag ratio of the South African flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
- The left half of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist
- The upper left quarter of the flag is called the Canton
- The right half of the flag is called the Fly
- The Meaning & History of the South African Flag
- The 'Y' symbolizes the merging nationalities - i.e. unity
- The flag was designed by the South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell
- The South African national flag of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on April 26th 1994
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| 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
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Terminology & Etiquette in South African Flag display- Hoist - the act or function of raising the South African flag, as on a rope
- Half Staff or Half Mast - the South African flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
- Performed by first raising the South African flag to the top, then lowering the South African Flag halfway
- Distress - denoted by flying the South African flag upside-down
- Manner of hoisting - The South African flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
- No disrespect should be shown to the South African flag
- The South African 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 South African 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 South African flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
- International Flag relating to South African 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 South African Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
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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 anew flag
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South African Flag Etiquette- South African 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 South African as follows:
- Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
- National Flag of South African
- State Flag of South African
- Military Flag of South African (in order of creation date)
- Other Flag of South African
- The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the South African Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
- The National flag of South African 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 South African flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
- A tattered or faded flag of South African should be removed and replaced with a new flag
- Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the South African flag is always flown the correct way up
- A Flag of South African, 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
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| South Africa Location: Southern Africa, at the
southern tip of the continent
of Africa | | |
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South Africa - South African Land Size : 1,219,912 sq km
- Climate / Weather of South Africa : mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights
- South African Population : 42,718,530
- Former Name(s) : Union of South Africa
- South African Capital City: Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center
- South African GDP: $456.7 billion (2003 est.)
- South African Main Industries : mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs
- South African Agricultural products : corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products
- South African Currency : rand (ZAR)
- Main Colors of the South African Flag : Multi-colored
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Concise History of South Africa & its Flag- 10,000BC Upper Paleolithic (the Old Stone Age) period
- 5000 - 3000BC Neolithic (New Stone Age) period
- 3000BC - 1000BC - Evidence of migration of people from Somalia and Ethiopia
- The Zulus, who belong to the Nguni-speaking peoples, constitute the majority of the population. Other tribes include the Khoi, San, and Xhosa
- 400 AD - Migration of the Bantu peoples into South Africa
- 700 - Trade with the Arabs and Phoenicians in ivory, rhino horn, gold, shells and slaves
- 1480 - Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa
- 1497 July 8 - Vasco da Gama set out on expedidition to India via Africa stopping at Mombasa, Mozambique, Malindi, Kenya, and Quilmana trading centres
- 1652 - Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company, founds the Cape Colony at Table Bay and Dutch settlement of South Africa starts
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- 1816 - 1826 Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu empire
- 1835 - 1840 - The Boers leave Cape Colony and found the Orange Free State and the Transvaal
- 1858 - Boers proclaim the Transvaal a republic
- 1867 - Diamonds discovered at Kimberley
- 1877 - The British and the Boers defeat the Zulus
- 1880-81 - The Boer War - Boers rebel against the British
- 1880s - The gold rush
- 1910 - Formation of Union of South Africa by former British colonies of the Cape and Natal, and the Boer republics of Transvaal, and Orange Free State
- 1913 - Land Act introduced preventing Blacks from purchasing land
- 1948 - Policy of apartheid adopted by the National Party (NP)
- 1950 - Group Areas Act passed to segregate black and white people
- 1950 - The African National Congress (ANC) led by Nelson Mandela initiates a civil disobedience
- 1961 - South Africa declared a republic
- 1964 - Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment
- 1970's- 1980's - Civil unrest, sanctions imposed on South Africa, forced resettlement process and Township revolts
- 1990 - Nelson Mandela released from prison
- 1991 - De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws and international sanctions are lifted
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"Around the World in 80 minutes!"- A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
- In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
- A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
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The South African Flag and NationWe hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the South African Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags 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! | | |
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