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Flag Geek – Will the EU Flag Lose a Star After Brexit?
17th Oct 2019
Don’t worry, this isn’t another mind-numbing, friendship breaking, partisan, angry, entrenched Brexit blog. In this short piece, you can embrace your inner flag geek, as we take a look at the EU flag to address a common question: when the UK leaves the EU, will one of the 12 gold stars be removed?
The first thing to explore is how many stars there are.
They don’t actually represent the members of the EU as there are currently 28 members as per below. As there are only 12 stars this doesn’t add up.
The Original Core States Who Founded the EEC in 1957
Germany (West Germany)
France
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
Italy
These Remaining Countries Joined Between 1973 and 2007 Known As the “EU27”
Sweden
Poland
Romania
Spain
Denmark
Greece
Ireland
Portugal
Czech Republic
Finland
Malta
Cyprus
Slovenia
Lithuania
Estonia
Latvia
And the newest member, Croatia who joined in 2013.
Then we need to explain what the stars stand for. If they don’t represent the member states then what do they represent?
Quite simply they symbolise the identity and unity of Europe (ahem). Broadly speaking this circle of stars was designed to show unity, harmony and solidarity across all Europeans.
So in conclusion, when the UK leave the EU the flag will remain unchanged.
Harrison Flagpoles are delighted to offer all customers huge discounts on screen printed, standard digitally printed and handsewn EU flags up to the day that the UK eventually leave. Details can be found here.
The European Union flag, with all 12 stars, can also be printed in any size on Enviroflag™, our revolutionary flag made from recycled plastic.
What should I do with my old EU flag?
If you no longer want to fly your EU flag after Brexit, you can send it to us and we will upcycle it into dog toys, that we give to charity.
Nigel Edward-Few Commented:
17/08/2021 @ 1:21
The ring of stars come from a statue I believe of Mary in a Spanish church and form her halo. It is a symbol of the Holy Roman Empire.