A NEW FLAG FOR A NEW REPUBLIC
A FLAG THAT TELLS ITS OWN STORY
Cyprus has endured much turmoil and strife throughout the ages, and one of the most poignant moments in its recent history was the island’s independence in the summer of 1960. After nearly 100 years of British Colonial rule, Cyprus became a new independent Republic. It quickly expressed its desires for a new national flag that would represent a new beginning for all Cypriots across the island. The new government, led by Archbishop Makarios III, stipulated that its new flag would feature neutral colours and reflect the island’s new identity and values.
THE QUEST FOR NEUTRALITY
Before independence, the Greek Cypriot majority primarily flew the blue-and-white flag of Greece, while the Turkish Cypriot minority flew the red-and-white flag of Turkey. To prevent escalating ethnic tensions, Article 4 of the new Cypriot Constitution strictly mandated that any new national flag must have a neutral design and colour. This meant that it was legally forbidden from featuring a cross or a crescent, and could not use blue or red. As a result, the new Cyprus flag that emerged featured symbols of both peace and unity. As a result, the Cypriot flag today is still one of the few national flags that does not feature any symbols related to war or the military. This would become somewhat ironic a few years later, when in the summer of 1974, the island would suffer an invasion and then occupation of the north. The island has remained divided ever since.
A DEEP & MEANINGFUL REPRESENTATION
Every element of the design of the flag of the Republic of Cyprus was chosen to represent a unified future. The entire silhouette of the island is filled with a copper-orange colour. This not only represents unity but also directly references the island’s vast, ancient deposits of copper ore. The island’s long association with copper is also referenced by the island’s name. Cyprus itself derives from the Latin word for copper, ‘cuprum’. The two green olive branches, positioned directly beneath the island map, symbolise the desire for peace and co-operation between the different Cypriot communities that once shared the island side by side. The solid white background, along with a fresh new start, acts as an international symbol of peace, neutrality, and purity.
A COMPETITION FOR A NEW FLAG
A NEW BEGINNING
The story of how the Cyprus flag came to be is a fascinating tale of political and social intrigue. The Republic of Cyprus was formed after the island gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960. This came after a brutal four-year military struggle. The new administration, led by Greek Cypriot Archbishop Makarios III and his Turkish Vice President, Fazil Küçük, immediately decided that an island-wide competition would be the best way to find a flag design for their newly formed Republic.
A COMPETITION
Advertisements were subsequently placed in several newspapers. These advertisements called for all Cypriot artists to submit designs. The competition rules stipulated that the new flag should not represent any of the three greater powers that had previously claimed dominion over the island. Out of over 500 entries submitted, the flag design submitted by Turkish Cypriot schoolteacher Ismet Vehit Güney was eventually selected.
A REPRESENTATION OF PEACE & UNITY
Ismet Vehit Güney’s flag design was selected after he personally explained what it represented. He explained that he had chosen a white background for his design to represent a cleansing and a new beginning for the island. The copper-orange map of Cyprus represented the island’s history of extreme copper mining that also gave the island its name. He also explained that the two olive branches drew inspiration from the concept of unity after independence and that they represented both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities living side by side in peace as Cypriots. After his design was chosen, Cyprus became the first country in the world to show a map on its flag.
INITIALLY EMBRACED BY ALL CYPRIOTS
Officially adopted on August 16th, 1960, the Republic’s new flag helped to mark the beginning of a new era of independence and self-determination. This helped to mark a significant milestone in the island’s history. As well as helping to mark the end of British colonial rule, the flag’s design also initially embodied the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the different ethnic and cultural communities across the island. Initially embraced by all Cypriots for a time, it initially achieved its main goals of representation for all. This flag has remained a symbol of national pride, mainly for the Republic of Cyprus ever since.
ANOTHER MILESTONE
Ismet Vehit Güney received the princely sum of £50 and a letter of congratulations from Archbishop Makarios III. The flag designer also went on to design a new Coat of Arms for the new Republic. A full set of commemorative stamps followed, along with the Republic’s new currency. This included the first versions of the infamous LIRA BANKNOTES. Controversy later surrounded the art teacher, however. This came after he made claims that he was promised a £20 annuity for the rest of his life for his designs that he claimed he never received.
A SYMBOL OF INDEPENDENCE, PEACE, & NATIONAL PRIDE
The flag of the Republic of Cyprus continues to serve as a powerful symbol of unity and national identity for all Cypriots today. The national symbol is a testament to the country’s rich history and the enduring spirit of its people. Its design reflects the natural beauty and resources of the island, as well as the unity and cooperation between its diverse communities. It still stands as a powerful symbol of independence, peace, and national pride for all Cypriots, even though the island remains divided.
ISMET VEHIT GUNEY
THE WINNING FLAG DESIGNER
School teacher, Ismet Vehit Güney, entered and then won the competition to design the new flag for the new Republic of Cyprus in 1960. Born in Limassol on July 15th, 1923, to Turkish Cypriot parents, he also went on to design the island’s NEW CURRENCY at the time. His tri-coloured flag design still represents the Republic of Cyprus today.
THE EARLY YEARS
Ismet Vehit Güney’s childhood years were spent in a multicultural neighbourhood in Limassol. This is where Turkish, Greek and Armenian Cypriots all lived together. As a young boy, he would spend his time at a local signwriting shop. This had a lasting influence on the artist, and after encouragement by the signwriter, he went on to paint landscapes using oil paint in his spare time.
ART LESSONS AT A MILITARY ACADEMY
With the outbreak of World War Two, the wide-eyed seventeen-year-old joined the CYPRUS VOLUNTEER REGIMENT. He served as a corporal-translator in Cyprus, Palestine and Italy. During this time, he also took the opportunity to take art lessons at a Military Academy in Haifa called Mont Carmel. By the end of the war and at the age of twenty-two, he left the army and returned to Limassol.
A SOLO ART EXHIBITION
He would become the first Turkish Cypriot solo artist in Cyprus to open a personal art exhibition. This was held in 1947 at the British Consulate in Limassol. He also opened a bookstore and joined the ‘Limassol Turkish Sports Club’, which was a meeting point for Turkish Cypriot intellectuals. There, he became interested in theatre and participated in several performances and other events. Although none were published, he also began to express himself through poems and short stories. He was also commissioned to create caricatures for daily Turkish Cypriot newspapers of the time. These included Karstiklâl and Köylü.
A SCHOOL TEACHER FROM LIMASSOL
He then graduated as a fully qualified art teacher and went on to teach fine art at the Turkish Boys High School in Nicosia. By the latter part of the 1950s, he often collaborated with impressionist painter Ibrahim Çallı. Gaining numerous accolades and winning several awards, this collaboration produced works that would feature in several exhibitions. He went on to achieve the Culture Art Service Award in 1986. Ismet Vehit Güney passed away on June 24th, 2009.
KEY FACTS
- The new design for the flag of the newly formed Republic of Cyprus was chosen by President Archbishop Makarios III and Vice-President Fazıl Küçük after they launched a design competition.
- The winning entry was created by İsmet Güney, a Turkish Cypriot art teacher and painter.
- The new national flag for the Republic of Cyprus was officially adopted on 16 August 1960 under the Zürich and London Agreements, which established Cyprus as an independent republic free from British colonial rule.
- It is historically significant as one of the only national flags in the world to display the map of its own territory.
- The British colonial administration, as a parting gesture, initially proposed a design featuring a rust-brown letter ‘K’ on a white field.
- The design was explicitly selected because it embodied peace, harmony, and a shared island identity without favouring any ethnic Cypriot groups.
- Today, the 1960 flag continues to be the official emblem of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, which primarily administers the southern part of the island.
- In April 2006, the design was given a slight visual update. The shape of the olive branches was adjusted, and the copper hue was deepened to a more defined Pantone shade. The flag’s official proportions were altered from 3:5 to 3:2.
