Greece Flag

The Greek flag has nine equal horizontal stripes alternating blue and white, with a blue canton in the upper hoist corner containing a white cross. The nine stripes are said to represent the nine syllables of the Greek motto Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος ("Freedom or Death").

The cross in the canton represents the Greek Orthodox faith, which played a central role in preserving Greek identity during Ottoman rule. Blue and white have been the national colours since the Greek War of Independence (1821).

Greece's revolutionary flags of 1821 varied widely, but blue and white were consistent elements. The nine-stripe design with the canton cross was adopted during the War of Independence and refined over subsequent decades.

Various proportions and shades of blue were used at different times. The current official design — with the distinctive shade of cobalt blue and nine stripes — was confirmed in 1978, replacing a brief period (1969–1974) when the military junta used a lighter shade.