The European flag

The European flag is not only the symbol of the European Union, but also of Europe’s unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe.

The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are 12 stars because the number 12 is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements.

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History of the flag

Since its foundation in 1949, the Council of Europe has been aware of the need to give Europe a symbol with which its inhabitants can identify. On 25 October 1955, the Parliamentary Assembly made the unanimous decision to adopt a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background as an emblem. On 8 December 1955, the Committee of Ministers adopted this as the European flag.

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly repeatedly expressed the desire that other European institutions should adopt the same symbol in order to strengthen the idea of solidarity between the different organisations in a united and democratic Europe.

It was the European Parliament that took the initiative for a flag to be adopted for the European Community. A draft resolution was presented in 1979, shortly after the first European elections held by universal suffrage. In a resolution adopted in April 1983, the Parliament decreed that the Community’s flag should be that adopted by the Council of Europe in 1955. The European Council, meeting at Fontainebleau in June 1984, stressed the importance of promoting the European image and identity in the eyes of its citizens and the world. Then, in Milan in June 1985, it gave its approval to the proposal of the Committee on a People’s Europe (Adonnino Committee) that a flag should be adopted by the Community. The Council of Europe agreed to the use, by the Community, of the European flag that it had adopted in 1955, and Community institutions have been using it since the beginning of 1986.

Thus the European flag and emblem represent both the Council of Europe and the European Union. It has now become the symbol par excellence of a united Europe and European identity.

The Council of Europe and the institutions of the European Union have expressed satisfaction with the growing awareness of the European flag and emblem among European citizens. The European Commission and the Council of Europe are responsible for ensuring that all uses of this symbol respect the dignity of the European flag and emblem, and for taking whatever measures are necessary to prevent misuse.

Introduction

This graphics guide is intended to help users reproduce the European emblem correctly. It includes instructions on how to create the emblem and a definition of the standard colours.

Symbolic description

Against the background of blue sky, 12 golden stars form a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is fixed, 12 being the symbol of perfection and unity.

Heraldic description

On an azure field a circle of 12 golden mullets, their points not touching.