The Standard - A Flag Day Meditation

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The Language of Color

In vexillology, colors carry meaning. While interpretations vary by culture, certain associations have become widespread:

red

courage, sacrifice, blood, revolution, love

blue

liberty, vigilance, justice, loyalty, the sea and sky

white

purity, peace, innocence, surrender

green

hope, prosperity, Islam, nature, youth

yellow/gold

generosity, the sun, wealth, justice, agriculture

black

determination, heritage, mourning, the soil

orange

courage, sacrifice, Protestantism, the Dutch

purple

royalty, nobility, justice (rarely used)

Color Statistics

Most common: Red (appears in ~75% of national flags)
Second most: Blue and white (each in ~70%)
Least common: Purple (appears in very few flags — historically expensive dye)
Most common combination: Red, white, and blue (many nations)

⚑ The Standard ⚐

The Language of Color

Color Statistics