Flag of South Africa

Use	Civil and state flag and ensign.
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	April 27, 1994
Design	Rectangular flag in the proportion of two in the width to three in the length: per pall from the hoist, the upper band red (chilli) and the lower band blue, with a black triangle at the hoist; over the partition lines a green pall one fifth the width of the flag, fimbriated white against the red (chilli) and blue, and gold against the black triangle at the hoist; the width of the pall and its fimbriations is one third the width of the flag[1]
Designed by	Fred Brownell, State Herald of South Africa
Use	Naval ensign.
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	September 29, 1994
Design	Rectangular white flag, in the proportions of two to three; with a dark green cross that extends to the edge of the flag; and having in the upper hoist canton the national flag, with a white fimbriation.

The current flag of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on April 27, 1994, during the first free elections and the end of apartheid. A new national flag was adopted to represent the new democratic South Africa. Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ... For other uses, see Flag (disambiguation). ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Image File history File links FIAV_110110. ... is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_South_Africa. ... The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ... A naval ensign is the flag used by a countrys navy on their ships. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Image File history File links FIAV_000001. ... is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... 1994 General Election results, National Assembly African National Congress (ANC) 12,237,655 62. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... The Dannebrog, national flag of Denmark, is the oldest state flag still in use. ...

None of the flag designs submitted by the public was supported by the committee charged to select the final design. An interim flag was designed by State Herald Frederick G. Brownell for the April 27 elections, the nation's first fully inclusive elections, and for Nelson Mandela's May 10 inauguration. The flag was so well received that the interim version was made the final, national flag in the South African Constitution. Given the troubled historical context, it is remarkable that a consensual replacement for the former national flags was found. The new flag is seen as an enduring symbol of the modern South African state. is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other people named Mandela, or other uses, see Mandela. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The current and official Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on 8 May 1996. ... The history of South Africa is marked by migration, ethnic conflict, and the anti-Apartheid struggle. ...

The flag has horizontal bands of red (on the top) and blue (on the bottom), of equal width, separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal "Y" shape, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side (and follow the flag's diagonals). The Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes. The stripes at the fly end are in the 5:1:3:1:5 ratio. The South African flag is the only national flag in the world with six colours and without a seal or brocade. In blazons (a vexillological description using flag terminology), the South African flag is described as "per pall fesswise gules, sable and azure, a fesswise pall vert fimbriated argent, Or and argent." For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ... This article is about the colour. ... For other uses, see Green (disambiguation). ... This article is about the color. ... For alternate meanings, such as the musical instrument, see triangle (disambiguation). ... A yellow Tulip. ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the authentication means. ... Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about: Brocade Brocade is a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in coloured silks and with or without gold and silver threads. ... This is an article about Heraldry. ... Flag of the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques. ... The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ... A blue pall, under a red chevron, in the arms of Christchurch, Dorset. ... A fess is a term used in heraldry to describe a charge on a coat of arms that takes the form of a band running from the left to the right side of the shield, centered from top to bottom. ... In heraldry, gules is the tincture with the colour red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called colours. In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of vertical lines or else marked with gu. ... Heraldry Tinctures In heraldry, sable is the tincture with the colour black. ... The term Azure (from Persian لاژورد lazhward) can refer to any of the following: The blueish color of the sky. ... In heraldry, vert is the name of a tincture, more or less the equivalent of the colour green. It is one of the five dark tinctures (colours). ... In heraldry and vexillology, fimbriation refers to small strips of colour placed around common charges or ordinaries in order for them to stand out from the background. ... For other uses, see Argent (disambiguation). ... Tinctures are the colours used to blazon coats of arms in heraldry. ...

Design

When the new flag was designed, it was specifically stated that the colours had no official meaning or symbolism, other than their choice from their use in the past. However, according to Brownell, the flag's designer, the red symbolises the blood shed in the country's various conflicts and wars.

Unofficial explanations have been suggested for the meaning of the flag's colours. In one optimistic explanation, the pall (Y) is stated to symbolise the convergence as one unified nation, the blue represents the sky and the two oceans that surround the country, the green symbolises the farms and natural environment that are an essential part of South Africa, the yellow stands for the natural resources of South Africa, particularly gold, the black represents black South Africans, doubling as a symbol of belonging with the rest of Africa, and the white represents white South Africans, doubling as a symbol of peace. A blue pall, under a red chevron, in the arms of Christchurch, Dorset. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ...

Construction sheet (click to enlarge).

Despite the official denial of symbolism, three of the colours—black, green and yellow—are found in the flag of the African National Congress. The other three—red, white and blue—are used in the flag of the Netherlands and the flag of the United Kingdom; these colours were also found in the old flag of South Africa, although with orange instead of red. The orange represented the orange, white and blue flag of the Dutch House of the Prince of Orange. The flag could thus be interpreted as a display of unity between the two South African traditions. Red, yellow and green are also the Pan-African colours. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 515 pixelsFull resolution (874 × 563 pixel, file size: 22 KB, MIME type: image/png) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Flag of South Africa ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 515 pixelsFull resolution (874 × 563 pixel, file size: 22 KB, MIME type: image/png) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Flag of South Africa ... For political parties with similar names in other countries, see Northern Rhodesian African National Congress and Zambian African National Congress. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Netherlands, with its three equal horizontal bands coloured red (top), white and blue is the oldest tricolour still in use today. ... Flag Ratio: 1:2 Flag Ratio: 3:5 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal Banner commonly known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack (although officially this title should only be given to the flag when it is flown... African coutries using Pan-African colours in their flags, shown in red. ...

Colour

For the record label, see Pantone Music. ...

History

The Red Ensign was South Africa's de facto national flag 1910-1928.

South Africa's national flag, "Prinsevlag", 1928-1994. Ratio: 2:3

After the Anglo-Boer War from 1899 to 1902 and the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, the British Union Flag became the national flag of South Africa. As was the case throughout the British Empire, the Red and Blue Ensign with the Union coat of arms were granted by British Admiralty warrants in 1910 for use at sea. Image File history File links South_Africa_Red_Ensign. ... Image File history File links South_Africa_Red_Ensign. ... The Red Ensign, as currently used by the United Kingdoms Merchant Navy The Red Ensign of the United Kingdom in use in London The Red Ensign or Red Duster is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as an ensign flown by the Royal Navy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa_1928-1994. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa_1928-1994. ... Combatants British Empire Orange Free State South African Republic Commanders Sir Redvers Buller Lord Kitchener Lord Roberts Paul Kruger Louis Botha Koos de la Rey Martinus Steyn Christiaan de Wet Casualties 6,000 - 7,000 (A further ~14,000 from disease) 6,000 - 8,000 (Unknown number from disease) Civilians... Motto Ex Unitate Vires (Latin: From Unity, strength} Anthem Die Stem van Suid-Afrika Capital Cape Town (legislative) Pretoria (administrative) Bloemfontein (judicial) Language(s) Afrikaans, Dutch, English Government Constitutional monarchy Monarch  - 1952-1961 Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General  - 1959-1961 Charles Robberts Swart Prime Minister  - 1958-1961 Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd... Union Jack redirects here. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... The Red Ensign, as currently used by the United Kingdoms Merchant Navy The Red Ensign of the United Kingdom in use in London The Red Ensign or Red Duster is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as an ensign flown by the Royal Navy. ... RFA Brambleleaf flying the square Blue Jack based on the Blue Ensign The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. ...

These ensigns were not intended to be used as the Union's national flag, although they were used by some people as such, especially the Red Ensign. It was only after the first post-Union Afrikaner government took office in 1925 that a bill was introduced in Parliament to make provisions for a national flag for the Union; this action immediately prompted three years of near civil war, as the British thought that the Boers wanted to remove their cherished imperial symbols. Natal Province even threatened to secede from the Union. This article is about the Southern African ethnic group. ... The Parliament of South Africa is South Africas legislature and is composed of the National Assembly of South Africa and the National Council of Provinces. ... This article is about the definition of the specific type of war. ... This article is about the Boer people (Boerevolk). ... KwaZulu-Natal, often referred to as KZN, is a province of South Africa. ... For other uses, see Secession (disambiguation). ...

Finally, a compromise was reached that resulted in the adoption of a separate flag for the Union in late 1927, and the design was first hoisted on 31 May 1928. The design was based on the so-called Van Riebeeck flag or Prinsevlag ("Prince's flag" in Afrikaans) which was originally the Dutch flag, and consisted of orange, white, and blue horizontal stripes. A version of this flag was used as the flag of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape (with the VOC logo in the centre) from 1652 until 1795. The South African addition to the design was three smaller flags centred in the white stripe. The smaller flags were the Union Flag towards the hoist, the Orange Free State Vierkleur hanging vertically and the Transvaal Vierkleur towards the fly. is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Look up Appendix:Afrikaans and Dutch Swadesh lists in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Netherlands, with its three equal horizontal bands coloured red (top), white and blue is the oldest tricolour still in use today. ... This article is about the trading company. ... Flag of the Orange Free State Capital Bloemfontein Language(s) Afrikaans, English Religion Dutch Reformed Church Government Republic President  - 1854 - 1855 Josias P. Hoffman  - 1855 - 1859 Jacobus Nicolaas Boshoff  - 1859 - 1863 Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (also President of the South African Republic from 1857 to 1871). ... Flag of Transvaal For the Russian theme park, see Transvaal Park. ...

The choice of the Prinsevlag as the basis upon which to design the South African flag had more to do with compromise than Afrikaner political desires, as the Prinsevlag was believed to be the first flag hoisted on South African soil and was politically neutral as it was no longer the national flag of any nation. A further element of this compromise was that the Union Flag would continue to fly alongside the new South African national flag over official buildings. This state of duality continued until 1957 when the Union Flag lost its official status as per an Act of Parliament; the Red Ensign had lost its status as South Africa's merchant flag in 1951. An Act of Parliament or Act is law enacted by the parliament (see legislation). ... The civil ensign (a. ...

Following a referendum, the country became a republic on 31 May 1961, but the design of the flag remained unchanged. However, there was intense pressure to change the flag, particularly from Afrikaners who resented the fact that the Union Flag was a part of the flag. On 5th October, 1960, South Africas white minority government held a referendum on whether or not the then Union should sever links with the British monarchy and become a republic. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The former Prime Minister and architect of apartheid, Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, had a dream to hoist a "clean" flag over South Africa in the 1960s. The proposed design comprised three vertical stripes of the same colour of the Prinsevlag with a leaping Springbok Antelope over a wreath of six proteas in the centre. H.C. Blatt, then assistant secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister, designed the flag. Verwoerd's successor, John Vorster, raised the flag issue at a news conference on 30 March 1971 and said that in light of the impending 10th anniversary Republic Day celebrations, he preferred to "keep the affair in the background". This he said was done because he did not want the flag question to degenerate into a political football, as happened in the 1920s over the Union Flag, and that the matter would be considered again when circumstances would be "more normal". He also went on to say that "I only want to warn, and express hope, that no person should drag politics in any form into this matter, because the flag must, at all times, be raised above party politics in South Africa". This is a list of South African Prime Ministers. ... A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ... Hendrik Verwoerd Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd (Amsterdam, 8 September 1901 – Cape Town, 6 September 1966) was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 until his assassination in 1966. ... Binomial name (Zimmermann, 1780) Range map For other meanings of Springbok, see Springbok The Springbok (Afrikaans and Dutch: spring = jump; bok = antelope, deer, or goat) (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a small brown and white gazelle that stands about 75 cm high. ... Look up wreath in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Species See text Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes. ... B. J. Vorster Balthazar Johannes Vorster (December 13, 1915 - September 10, 1983), better known as John Vorster, was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978, and President from 1978 to 1979. ... A member of Liberal Democratic Party Taizo Sugimura in an apology news conference in Japan A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... President Harrison political cartoon: What can I do when both parties insist on kicking? Political Football was also the name of a documentary about the rugby union 1971 Springbok tour to Australia. ...

Despite the flag's origins predating the National Party's ascension to power, the presence of the three little flags in the middle was internationally perceived as being an implied endorsement of apartheid. In this light it is possible to theorise that the end of apartheid may not have beckoned a change in national flag if a more neutral one had indeed been selected in the 1960s, or perhaps even if the three subflags had been merely excised before the Prinsevlag became the inadvertent symbol of apartheid it did. The National Party (Afrikaans: Nasionale Party) (with its members sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats) was the governing party of South Africa from June 4th 1948 until May 9th 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. ...

Current design

The present design of the South African national flag was first flown on 27 April 1994, the same day as South Africa's first ever multiracial election. However, the flag was first commissioned as an interim flag only, and was decided upon at the very last minute, barely making it onto the nation's flagpoles in time for the election. is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... This article is about the political process. ...

The choice of a new flag was part of the negotiation process set in motion when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990. When a nationwide public competition was held in 1993, the National Symbols Commission received more than 7,000 designs. Six designs were drawn up and presented to the public and the Negotiating Council, but none elicited enthusiastic support. A number of design studios were contacted to submit further proposals, but they were again without success. Parliament went into recess at the end of 1993 without a suitable candidate for the new national flag. For other people named Mandela, or other uses, see Mandela. ... The Parliament of South Africa is South Africas legislature and is composed of the National Assembly of South Africa and the National Council of Provinces. ... Children can be found playing on playhouses such as this during recess. ...

In February 1994, Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer, chief negotiators of the African National Congress and the National Party government of the day respectively, were given the task of resolving the flag issue. A final design was adopted on 15 March 1994, derived from a design developed by Frederick G. Brownell who had also designed the Flag of Namibia. The proclamation of the new national flag was only published on 20 April 1994, a mere seven days before the flag was to be inaugurated, sparking a frantic last-minute flurry for flag manufacturers. As stated in South Africa's post-apartheid interim constitution, the flag was to be introduced on an interim probationary period of five years, after which there would be discussion about whether or not to change the national flag in the final draft of the constitution. However, the flag was very well received and was included in the final draft without much debate. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born 17 November 1952) is a South African lawyer, trade union leader, activist, politician and businessman. ... Roelof Petrus (Roelf) Meyer , born in Port Elizabeth on 16 July 1947, is a South African politician and businessman. ... For political parties with similar names in other countries, see Northern Rhodesian African National Congress and Zambian African National Congress. ... The National Party (Afrikaans: Nasionale Party) (with its members sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats) was the governing party of South Africa from June 4th 1948 until May 9th 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The flag of Namibia was adopted on March 21, 1990. ... is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... The current and official Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was adopted on 8 May 1996. ...

Proper display of the flag

Respect for the flag

South African law says that the flag must at all times be treated with "dignity and respect". Regulations Regarding the Flying of the National Flag, published just before the flag was adopted in 1994, indicates the rules for the display of the flag. Official regulation states that the flag must never touch the ground or floor, be used as a table cloth or draped in front of a platform, cover a statue, plaque, cornerstone etc. at unveiling or similar ceremonies, start or finish any competition, race or similar event, be manufactured or used as underclothes, bath and floor mats or any similar demeaning application, or be used for any commercial advertising in a manner that will distort or show disrespect to the flag. This article is about virtue. ... Respect It also could be applied to taking care of oneself, others or the environment. ... This article is about the speed competition. ... A pair of mens briefs Undergarments, also called underwear or sometimes intimate clothing, are clothes worn next to the skin, usually under other clothes. ... // Advert redirects here. ...

To manufacture or reproduce the flag in any manner requires permission from the President of South Africa.

Despite these rules, the new flag has in essence become 'public property', and it would seem that many South Africans are unaware of that rules of respect that had applied to the previous flag also applies to the current flag. The current flag is regularly seen painted on faces during sports events, and 'cut into pieces' for clothing and other uses.

Traditional rules for handling the flag

There are a number of traditional rules of respect that should be observed when handling or displaying the flag. Officially observed traditions state that the flag should always be hoisted at the start of the working day and lowered again before or at sunset. It is not to remain flying at night unless suitably illuminated. In South Africa, this rule still applies to government-designated flag stations, while through common usage the flag can be displayed 24 hours a day outside of official stations. The flag should also be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. Furthermore, whenever a person sees an official flag hoisting or lowering ceremony in progress, he or she should come to a halt and stand respectfully to attention for the duration. If a hat is worn, it should be removed, and the right hand should be placed over the heart in salute. Persons in uniform should salute in the manner prescribed by their service. The flag should never be depicted, displayed or flown upside down. Flying a flag upside down is the traditional sign of distress. When displayed horizontally, the black triangle should be to your left and the red band uppermost. A composite image showing the terminator dividing night from day, running across Europe and Africa. ... Not to be confused with lightning. ... A hat is an item of clothing which is worn on the head; a kind of headgear. ... This article is about the gesture. ... For other uses, see Uniform (disambiguation). ... A distress signal is an internationally recognized means of obtaining help by using a radio, displaying a visual object or making noise from a distance. ...

Tradition also states that when draped vertically, a flag should not merely be rotated through 90 degrees, but also reversed. In the case of the South African flag, the black triangle must be uppermost and the red band on the left. One "reads" a flag like the pages of a book, from top to bottom and from left to right, and after rotation the results should be the same. It is also insulting to display the flag in a frayed or dirty state. The same rule applies to the flagpoles and halyards used to hoist the flag – they should always be in a proper state of maintenance. The flag may never be defaced by placing slogans or any writing or design directly on the field of the flag. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... In astronomy, geography, geometry and related sciences and contexts, a direction passing by a given point is said to be vertical if it is locally aligned with the gradient of the gravity field, i. ... This article describes the unit of angle. ... Look up slogan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Correct display of the flag

The rules regarding the correct methods to display the flag state that when two flags are fully spread out horizontally on a wall behind a podium, their hoists should be towards each other with the red stripes uppermost, and if the flag is displayed on a short flagpole, this should be mounted at an angle to the wall with the flag draped tastefully from it. If two national flags are displayed on crossed staffs, the hoists must be towards each other and the flags must be fully spread out. The flag should never be used as a cloth to cover tables, lecterns or podiums, or be draped from railings. Builders hoist, with small petrol engine Hoist or hoist can mean:- A verb meaning to lift. In flag terminology, the half of a flag nearest to the flagpole. ... This article is about angles in geometry. ... Lectern in Seattle First Methodist Church. ... A podium is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. ...

The South African flag when flying with another nations flag (the other flag is Frances flag backwards, and is not the flag of any real nation) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of South Africa Categories: GFDL images ...

Showing the flag with other country's flags

When the National Flag is flown outdoors in company with the national flags of other countries, there are several rules that govern the ways in which the flag must be flown; specifically, that it must always occupy the position of honour. This means it must be the flag furthest to the right (observers' left) of all the flags on display, with the flags of other countries being arranged alphabetically, and that all the flags should be approximately the same size, with no flags being larger than the South African flag. Each country's flag should be on a separate pole, with no national flag being flown on top of another from the same pole. The South African flag must always be hoisted first and lowered last, and if the South African flag is displayed on crossed poles, the South African flag's pole should be in front and the flag to the right (observers' left) of the other flag. Alphabetical redirects here. ...

Image of the Flag of South Africa being flown with non-national flags. ...

Showing the flag indoors

Whenever the flag is displayed indoors in halls at public meetings or gatherings of any kind, it should always be on the right (observers' left), as this is the position of authority. So when the flag is displayed next to a speaker in a hall or other meeting place, it must be placed on the speaker's right hand; when displayed elsewhere in the hall, it should be to the right of the audience. Image of the Flag of South Africa being flown indoors. ... For other uses, see Audience (disambiguation). ...

The flag should be displayed completely spread out with the red stripe on top. If hung vertically on the wall behind the podium, the red stripe should be to the left of the onlookers facing the flag with the hoist cord at the top.

Parades and ceremonies

The flag, when carried in a procession or parade or with another flag or flags, should be on the marching right or alone in front in the centre. The flag may form a distinctive feature of the unveiling of a statue, monument, or plaque, but should never be used as the covering for the object. As a mark of respect to the flag, it should never be dipped to a person or thing. Regimental colours, organisational or institutional flags may be dipped as a mark of honour. United States Marines on parade. ... To dip a flag that is being carried means to lower it by turning it forward from an upright position to 45° or horizontal. ...

During a ceremony where the flag is hoisted or lowered, or when the flag is passing in a parade, all persons present, except for those in uniform, should face the flag while standing at attention with the right hand over the heart. Hats should be removed and held in the right hand at the left shoulder with the hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should salute. The same rules apply when the national anthem is played. Image of the Flag of South Africa being flown in a parade. ... This article is about the gesture. ... Since 1997, The South African national anthem has been a hybrid song combining new English lyrics with extracts of the hymn Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika and the old South African anthem Die Stem van Suid-Afrika/The Call of South Africa. It is the only neo-modal national anthem in the...

Half mast

The flag should be flown at half mast as a sign of mourning only on instructions from the president, who will also give a date ending the mourning period. When the flag is to be flown at half mast, it must first be raised to the top of the mast and then slowly lowered to half mast. Before being lowered at sunset or at the appropriate time, the flag is first raised to the top of the pole and then lowered. Only the South African flag is flown half mast; all other flags remain at normal height. Flag Flying Half-Staff over the White House Half-mast, or half-staff, describes the act of flying a flag approximately halfway up a flagpole (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up the flagpole is acceptable). ... Margaret of Spain, Empress of Austria, in Mourning, 1666; note the children and servants in mourning dress behind her. ...

Disposal

When no longer in a fit condition to be used, a flag should be disposed of in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

Heraldic description

An addendum to the Transitional Executive Council agenda (April 1994) described the flag in heraldic terms as follows:

The National flag shall be rectangular in the proportion of two in the width to three to the length; per pall from the hoist, the upper band red (chilli) and lower band blue, with a black triangle at the hoist; over the partition lines a green pall one fifth the width of the flag, fimbriated white against the red and blue, and gold against the black triangle at the hoist, and the width of the pall and its fimbriations is one third the width of the flag.

Schedule One of the Constitution of South Africa (1996) replaced the heraldic definition and described the flag in plain English as follows:

The national flag is rectangular; it is one and a half times longer than it is wide.

1. It is black, gold, green, white, chilli red and blue.
2. It has a green Y-shaped band that is one fifth as wide as the flag. The centre lines of the band start in the top and bottom corners next to the flag post, converge in the centre of the flag, and continue horizontally to the middle of the free edge.
3. The green band is edged, above and below in white, and towards the flag post end, in gold. Each edging is one fifteenth as wide as the flag.
4. The triangle next to the flag post is black.
5. The upper horizontal band is chilli red and the lower horizontal band is blue. These bands are each one third as wide as the flag.

See also

• National anthem of South Africa
• List of South African flags

Since 1997, The South African national anthem has been a hybrid song combining new English lyrics with extracts of the hymn Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika and the old South African anthem Die Stem van Suid-Afrika/The Call of South Africa. It is the only neo-modal national anthem in the... This is a list of flags used in South Africa // National flag Military flags Historical flags National flags Former colonies Viceregal flags Categories: | ...

References

Notes

Printed matter =

• Saker, Henry. The South African Flag Controversy. Oxford University Press, Cape Town. 1980. ISBN 0-19-570172-0.
• Pama, C. Die Vlae van Suid-Afrika. Tafelberg Publishers, Cape Town, 1984
• SAVA Journal SJ: 4/95: The History of Flags of South Africa before 1900

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Flags of South Africa

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Flag of South Africa

• South Africa at Flags of the World. Accessed 18, 20 February 2005.
• South African government's page on the flag. Accessed 22 December 2005.
• dimensions of the flag. Accessed 20 February 2005.
• South Africa (1928–1994). Accessed 4 March 2007.

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ... Flags of the World (or FOTW) is an Internet-based vexillological organization and resource. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...