Is there a strict colour code for flags - do they have to be made from certain colours, or could a country adopt a purple one if it wanted?

star_gazer

There is no world color code for flags, why who would enforce such a code? Jun 03 07, 6:59 AM

billythebrit

I thought that the olymic rings were those colours as they are the colours of every flag in the world. So thought maybe countries could only choose certain colours. Never seen a pink flag, have you? Jun 03 07, 7:02 AM

star_gazer

The olympic ring colors are not of every flag color in the world, but of every flag color of nations competing in the Olympics. And pink is not the only color unseen in nations' flags. Jun 03 07, 7:25 AM

sequoianoir

Surely pink is just a shade of red ! Jun 03 07, 8:00 AM

zbeckabee

National colors (flags) are a "free choice" thing. "Many states and nations have formally adopted a set of colours as their official "national colours" while others have de facto national colours that have become well-known through popular use. National colours often appear on a variety of different media, from the nation's flag to the colours used in sports." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_colors Jun 03 07, 9:21 AM

star_gazer

Also the gay community, which at times considers itself a nation, uses pink flags. http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/qq-p3.html Jun 03 07, 9:46 AM

richard_n413

The gay community is not exactly a nation, now, is it? Jun 03 07, 9:52 AM

MonkeyOnALeash

"Queer Nation" and the Gay Community are very different things. "QN" who uses the Upside Down Pink Triangle is a rather radical group of Gays and Lesbians who are dedicated to announcing the Gay Pride and Equal Rights sentiment in ways that can be at times, truly contestable. http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/qq-p3.html The Gay and Lesbian Community use a six colored Rainbow Flag as a symbol of Unity and Harmony with each other and the World. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag Jun 03 07, 11:25 AM

billythebrit

I hate that term: 'g.a.y community'. Like the Jewish community or the Chinese Community that may live in a town. Implies they're all the same, together, united, all know each other, all reside in the same part of town, that's all that defines them, one unvarying sect in a society. Put above earnings, occupation, level of education - you're in the 'g.a.y community' whether you want to be or not. It's as ridiculous as claiming there's also a straight community all united in their desire to sleep with the opposite gender. Gone completely off point, but the answers had well wandered before I've added this. Jun 03 07, 12:13 PM

lanfranco

To be a little more clear on the Olympics Rings colors: There are five, plus white: red, yellow, green, black, and blue, on a white ground. Back in the 20's, each of these colors appeared at least once in every national flag, and I daresay that at least one of them does today. In other words, the U.S. and U.K. flags include red, white, and blue, but not green, yellow, and black. On the other hand, the Italian flag includes red, white, and green, but not blue and yellow. However, there is no requirement that every flag include all or even one of these colors. And if some country wanted to go for Cappuccino Beige, Chartreuse, and Gentian Violet, why not? That country wouldn't have to bother with the Olympic Rings, though if it wanted to bid for the Games, its Organizing Committee might want to reconsider the situation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_symbols Jun 03 07, 5:38 PM

queproblema

I'm racking my brain trying to remember where I heard or read recently that all flags have one or more of only six colors: red, blue, white, black, yellow, green. I believe this is basically true, allowing for various shades of those colors, though I can't quickly find a reference. This isn't per regulation, but a convention. (Who wants a turquoise and magenta national flag?) But!! Many flags have designs, coats-or-arms, etc., that incorporate many different colors. Take, for example, the flag of Spain, with a rampant purple lion! (It comes out pink on some websites.) http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=4336 This site has a great deal of apparently well-researched information: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xf-csts.html Jun 03 07, 10:18 PM

queproblema

Nope, I'm wrong--orange is a major color on the flags of several nations. See my last link. (Also, I probably should have said "rampant purpure lion" above since it's a heraldic element.) Jun 03 07, 11:26 PM