The flag of the European Community was originally adopted by the Council of Europe on December 8, 1955, from a suggested design by the Chief Herald of Ireland. The Council of Europe from the beginning desired it to be used by other regional organizations seeking European integration. The European Community (EC) adopted it on May 26, 1986.
Fifteen member states came together to form the European Union. It was originally proposed that the new flag should have one star representing each founding country and be fixed at that number. Boundary disputes over Saarland (who had been given a star) with Germany and France resulted in the number being reduced to thirteen. As this number of stars was seen as both too American and as unlucky, it was again cut to twelve stars. Each was chosen to represent symbols of European culture and traditions such as:
12 signs of the zodiac;
12 hours on a clock;
12 apostles;
12 Olympian gods;
12 tables of Roman Law.
The number has led to much folklore . The similarity to the twelve-star halo in artworks depicting the Virgin Mary was seen as a conspiracy to revive a Catholic supremacy or the Holy Roman Empire. Other religious groups counter-claim that the stars represent the Babylonian Queen of Heaven and as such reveal an ungodly movement in the EC's leadership.
The flag symbolizes how Economic Cooperation has successfully achieved the Unification of a Continent which Kings, Emperors Dictators and Holy Men had been unsuccessfully attempting to conquer and unify for thousands of years.
Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.
