The Greek Flag: The Persistence of Historical Symbolism in Post-Junta Greece

After the fall of the Greek military junta from 1967 to 1974, the Hellenic Republic faced a significant challenge in reaffirming its national identity and political stability. The flag, which had been modified during the junta’s rule, became a central element in this process. This article explores the symbolism and historical context of the Greek flag, focusing on how the Hellenic Republic used this national symbol to navigate the turbulent post-junta period.

Historical Context of the Greek Flag

The Greek flag has a rich history, but its evolution during the military junta from 1967 to 1974 introduced new layers of symbolism and controversy. The military regime, which imposed a period of political and social control on the country, modified the flag by adding a golden emblem with a double-headed eagle, a symbol deeply rooted in the Greek Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Empire. This marked a departure from the traditional design of the flag, which features blue and white stripes with a cross.

The Fall of the Junta and Flag Design Revisions

Following the fall of the military junta in 1974, Greece returned to a democratic governance system. However, the question of how to proceed with the national flag – the emblem, the ratios, and the land/sea variants – posed a significant challenge. The flag shown above was the naval ensign, used for ships and private citizens, while the land flag was for state organizations and the army. This dual design further highlighted the complex history of the Hellenic Republic.

It is important to note that the Hellenic Republic made a specific decision to maintain the abolition of the monarchy, which had coincidentally removed the royal crown from the flag. The second Greek Republic, established in 1924, had also removed the crown symbol from the flag. This indicates a historical pattern of abolishing monarchical symbols.

Flag Design Changes During the Junta Rule

The Hellenic Republic maintained the decision to drop the royalist crown, but the military junta introduced several additional changes to the flag. These changes included altering the ratio to 7:12, changing the shade of blue to a much darker version, and abolishing the land variant of the flag. These modifications were implemented between 1970 and 1975, creating a new version of the flag that embodied the regime’s ideology.

Restoration of the Pre-Junta Flag

Shortly after the fall of the military junta in 1974, the Hellenic Republic issued a decree in 1975 to restore the pre-1970 versions of the flags. Although the abolition of the monarchy had been confirmed in a referendum, the crown symbol was not reinstated as a sign of continuity with the democratic regime.

In 1978, a new law was implemented, finalizing the current flag design with a 2:3 ratio and no land flag variant. This version of the flag remains in use today, symbolizing the resilience of Greek identity and the persistence of national symbolism despite political changes.

The shade of blue for the 1970 flag was based on two reference flags using a darker shade. However, the 1978 flag did not specify a exact shade, allowing for a range of blues. In practice, an intermediate shade is commonly used. This illustrates the ongoing evolution of the flag while maintaining its historical significance.

Conclusion

The Hellenic Republic's decision to maintain the flag design, especially the removal of the royalist crown, reflects a deep understanding of the country's historical and national identity. While the flag retains some elements of the dark period of the military junta, it also serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and democracy. The flag continues to embody the struggle for independence and national identity, making it an enduring emblem of the Greek nation.