Australia, China, India, Germany: Secrets hidden in world flags

CLEVER but often not so obvious meanings are hidden among the colour and symbols of the world’s flags. Can you spot them?

Our flag has a rich history, but do you know the story behind it? Picture: Hamish Blair

THEY are the clever but often not so obvious meanings hidden among the colour and symbols of the world’s flags.

But unless you’re a flag enthusiast or know your own country’s really well chances are you won’t recognise what certain symbols and colours actually stand for.

From our own red, white and blue to the stars on the Chinese flag, the little symbols have more meaning than meets the eye.

However according to Flags Australia president Ralph Kelly, the meanings aren’t actually hidden — if you know where to look.

Mr Kelly said most flags were designed to be clever and to those who designed them or knew them inside out their meaning was obvious.

“The Danish flag is the oldest in the world,” he told news.com.au.

“It’s origins are based on legends and battles much like Scotland’s. But the reality is meaning (in flags) actually isn’t actually hidden at all.”

Mr Kelly said most symbols were well known especially to those whose country they represent but said in many cases the meanings of flags were often altered over time.

The Australian flag has symbolic pride for many. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Kelly said in our own country’s flag many people associated it with the British monarchy and while the Union Jack was obvious, the symbolism and connections were created over time.

However he said of all the flags in the world which carried hidden meaning, the South African was a big stand out.

While designed to represent unity, if you folded it in half you could make out half a Union Jack in what appears to be bigger nod to former ruler Britain rather than the Dutch.

Here are 10 flags with hidden meanings.

AUSTRALIA

According to Mr Kelly, while our flag has an obvious connection to Britain, that meaning has become more symbolic over time.

He said when the flag was created in 1901, the Union Jack was added to show Australia was part of the British Empire, and the blue background was common of colonial nations.

Mr Kelly said it was now so widely ingrained in Australian’s minds but the whole connection between the flag and the monarchy is ingrained rather than intended.

Interestingly he said there had been subtle changes made over time, including the addition of seven point stars in 1908 instead of the original six which represents the states.

The modern day German flag.

GERMANY

The European country was actually clever when its current flag was re-adopted in 1949.

According to Mr Kelly, the Germans wanted to go back to the flag which was adopted as a flag of modern Germany in 1919 after World War I.

When the Nazis stormed to power, the country became symbolic with red, white and black in a massive nod to Prussian heritage and Germany’s military tradition and domination.

“Germany wanted to get away from any military meaning or association,” he said.

“Red, gold and black were symbolic of the Weimar Republic and more removed from the Nazi colours and symbolism.”

The flag also shows half a Union Jack?

SOUTH AFRICA

When South Africa became a democracy in 1994, calls were made to create a flag which represented unity.

While it definitely does do just that, Mr Kelly said it was clever because it also emphasised the country’s true diversity.

While recognising its British (half Union Jack, blue red) heritage the African National Congress colours of black, green and yellow also feature prominently.

The blue white and red horizontal are also the colors of the Dutch flag.

“This hidden meaning is here because the emphasis on unity, but really the significance of this flag is in its diversity (of its people).”

Under apartheid, South Africa suffered racial segregation which was carried out under white rule introduced in 1948 by the Afrikaner-dominated National Party.

The flag also shows half a Union Jack.

The Brazilian flag’s stars represent its states.

BRAZIL

While this South American country is known for being a little out there, its flag symbolism may appear a little less obvious.

The flag features 26 stars to represent its states and federal district.

But rather than line up neatly, they were placed as they would have been positioned on November 15, 1889 which was the moment several constellations were seen in the Rio sky, according to Shutterstock.

The stars are also reversed on purpose to represent the view someone would see of Rio from space.

The object on the left of the Grenada flag isn’t a person or a flower.

GRENADA

The flag of this Caribbean nation is another clever creation.

Red stands for strength, gold for wisdom and the seven stars its parishes, and green stands for its lush vegetation.

But the little symbol on the left may leave some scratching their heads.

According to official website of the government of Grenada, the tiny symbol is significant for one big reason.

Not only does it represent nutmeg, but it also symbolises its “reputation as the Isle of Spice”.

CHINA

We all know red stands for power, but it’s also the colour associated with Communism and the spirit of the revolution which took place in 1949.

But perhaps less obvious at least to some, is what its five yellow stars mean.

The large star represents unity under the Communist Party, according to China Daily.

The four others represent China’s traditional classes — the working, the peasantry, the urban bourgeois, and the national bourgeois or the capitalists.

This flag is a regular at cricket matches.

INDIA

The Indian flag is another well-known flag and a fixture at cricket matches.

The flag was adopted in July 1947 following independence from British rule.

At the centre is the navy blue circle Ashoka Chakra which means Wheel of Law. Not only does it represent 24 hours in the day but also acknowledges the Hindu religion.

The orange represents courage and also is significant for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, according to India Celebrating.

The white stipe represents purity while the green represents faith and fertility with the colour also having special significance for Muslims.

Can you spot the association with an African animal in the Botswana flag?

BOTSWANA

This African nation’s flag features the colours of light blue, with white stripes and a black centre.

Black and white stands for harmony and the colours also correspond to the national coat of arms.

According to the Botswana embassy, the blue represents the nation’s dependence on water while the black and white stripes are also a nod to its national symbol of the zebra.

The colours on the Austrian national flag are said to represent peace. Picture: Tobias Schwarz

AUSTRIA

This flag dates back to 1084 and has a bloody history, literally.

It is said to be inspired from a legend about Duke Leopold IV of Austria who according to legend fought in battle during the Crusades.

But during the battle he was severely injured and bloodied but despite this did not get a drop on his white clothing, according to Maps of the world.

However today Austrians don’t associate the colours with war but rather peace.

North Korea shares the same colours on its flag as its southern neighbours but has given much more prominence to red.

NORTH KOREA

Most of us can guess the significance of red, communism/socialism and the star in the middle is also a nod to that.

The white is said to represent purity but the meaning behind the blue may appear ironic to some with these stripes said to represent peace, Famous Wonders reveal.

The colours are significant in both Koreas flags but the North has given much more prominence to the colour red.

Interestingly, North Korea has the second largest flagpole in the world at 160m and its army, air force and navy all have modifications of this.