Weekly Flag Challenge 21st January

JJDXB · Jan 29, 2011

POD:

3rd May 1960: The existing EEC Heads of State have formally approved the induction of 4 new members : Denmark, Norway, Ireland and the UK despite rumours President de Gaulle of France would veto the applications.

1981: The Hellenic Republic, Finland and Sweden are admitted to the EU.

1982: Austria joins the EU.

1986: Portugal and Spain accede after Franco and Salazar are overthrown, while a now United Republic of Cyprus is admitted after tensions are finally resolved with EU mediation.

1st January 2004: Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania join the EU.

1st January 2007: Romania and Bulgaria are formally admitted to the EU.

Challenge:

Design a flag for the European Union. This may be 'submitted' in the original 1960s contest, or as an entry for a competition held in 2007 for a new flag to be introduced if referendums to be held in 2015 approve federalisation.

Map Key:

Dark Blue - Member nations before 2004
Sea Green - Members admitted 2004
Light Blue - Members admitteed 2007
Light Green - Countries which have formally submitted applications
Dark Green - Countries expressing interest in joining

JJDXB · Jan 29, 2011

Entry 1

This flag is a submission for the original 1960 contest. Known as the Europa flag, it was designed specifically to highlight the awkwardness that might arise from a period of time where it would be perfectly acceptable to base a design on the rather un-PC Abduction of Europa myth but would be considered bad taste to graphically depict her breasts.

Europa's bow stands for the technology and industry of Europe. Europa herself stands for the people and compassion of Europe. The bull stands for the agriculture and strength of Europe.

The six stars are somewhat controversial, with the four new members complaining they stand for the original six members, while the official explanation is that they stand for the six letters of the name Europa (or Europe), and that each letter further stands for six attributes or ideals. What they are depends on the language being used and are therefore left for each member state to determine on their own.