Swaziland, flag of

Swaziland, flag of

▪ Flag History

      national flag consisting of horizontal stripes of blue, yellow, crimson, yellow, and blue, with a Swazi shield and weapons in the centre. The flag's width-to-length ratio is 2 to 3.

      The Swazi (Swaziland), famed as warriors, have a traditional shield that is made of black-and-white ox hide stretched over a wooden frame. A representation of such a shield appeared briefly on a Swazi flag flown in the late 19th century when they administered their land jointly with the (Boer) South African Republic and the British. The current national flag, however, dates to 1941. At that time the Swazi Pioneer Corps was in training prior to participating with other Allied forces in the invasion of Italy. King Sobhuza II had three princesses sew a special banner for the corps. The background consisted of five unequal horizontal stripes of blue, yellow, maroon, yellow, and blue. In addition to the Swazi war shield there were two spears and a “fighting stick” with feather tassels. The shield was a specific one, carried in the 1920s by the Emasotsha Regiment.

      In 1954 a political network for the organization of popular meetings was instituted, and its flag—based on that carried by the Swazi Pioneer Corps—was used to identify buildings. The Swazi National Council decided to adopt that as the new national flag. It was hoisted for the first time on April 25, 1967, replacing the Union Jack (United Kingdom, flag of the). There were some slight artistic modifications introduced on October 30, 1967, but no change was made on Independence Day, September 6, 1968. The crimson stands for the battles of the past, yellow for mineral wealth, and blue for peace.

Whitney Smith
 

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Swaziland — /swah zee land /, n. a kingdom in SE Africa between S Mozambique and the E Republic of South Africa: formerly a British protectorate. 1,031,600; 6704 sq. mi. (17,363 sq. km). Cap.: Mbabane. * * * Swaziland Introduction Swaziland Background:… …   Universalium

  • Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 2008 — Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d été de 2008 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 2004 — Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d été de 2004 Code C …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques — Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d’été de 2008 — Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d été de 2008 Swaziland aux Jeux olympiques d été de 2008 Code C …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Flag of Morocco — Use National flag and state ensign Propor …   Wikipedia

  • Flag of Niger — Use National flag Proportion see b …   Wikipedia

  • Flag of Nigeria — Proportion 1:2 Adopted October 1, 1960 Designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi …   Wikipedia

  • Équipe du Swaziland de volley-ball féminin — Swaziland Confédération CAVB Fédération SNVA Entraineur …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Flag of Swaziland — Infobox flag Name = Kingdom of Swaziland Article = Nickname =Swaziland Use = 011000 Symbol = Proportion = 2:3 Adoption = October 6, 1968 Design = Designer = Type = NationalThe flag of Swaziland was adopted on October 6, 1968. [… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”