History of Christian flags

{{Further|Religion in national symbols}}

File:Byzantine imperial flag, 14th century according to portolan charts.pngs]]

Christian empires, such as the Kingdom of Georgia, which became a Christian state in AD 337, adopted Christian symbolism in its flag.{{cite book|last=Demski|first=Eric|title=Living by the Sword: Knighthood for the Modern Man|date=30 June 2014|publisher=Trafford Publishing|language=English|isbn=9781490736082|page=511}} Likewise, the flags of the Byzantine Empire often depicted "a bowl with a cross, symbol[ic] of the Byzantine worldly domination for centuries and of the ecumenical mission to spread Christianity to all the world".{{cite book|last=Rocha|first=Luiz|title=Mount Athos|year=2009|language=English |isbn=9781440117534|page=19|publisher=iUniverse }}

Many officially Christian states and predominantly Christian countries have flags with Christian symbolism. Many flags used by modern nations have their roots in historical Christian flags used in historic Christian empires, such as the Byzantine Empire, or in crusader vexillology.{{cite book|last=Lovette|first=Leland Pearson|title=Naval Customs, Traditions and Usage|year=1934|publisher=United States naval institute|language=English|page=152}}

File:Flag of Armenia.svg|Flag of Armenia

File:Flag of Andorra.svg|Flag of Andorra

File:Flag of Australia.svg|Flag of Australia

File:Flag of the Cook Islands.svg|Flag of Cook Islands

File:Flag of Denmark.svg|Flag of Denmark

File:Flag of Dominica.svg|Flag of Dominica

File:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg|Flag of the Dominican Republic

File:Flag of El Salvador.svg|Flag of El Salvador

File:Flag of Fiji.svg|Flag of Fiji

File:Flag of Finland.svg|Flag of Finland

File:Flag of Georgia.svg|Flag of Georgia

File:Flag of Greece.svg|Flag of Greece

File:Flag of Iceland.svg|Flag of Iceland

File:Flag of Ireland.svg|Flag of Ireland

File:Flag of Lebanon.svg|Flag of Lebanon

File:Flag of Liechtenstein.svg|Flag of Liechtenstein

File:Flag of Malta.svg|Flag of Malta

File:Flag of Moldova.svg|Flag of Moldova

File:Flag of Montenegro.svg|Flag of Montenegro

File:Flag of Montserrat.svg|Flag of Montserrat

File:Flag of New Zealand.svg|Flag of New Zealand

File:Flag of Niue.svg|Flag of Niue

File:Flag of Norway.svg|Flag of Norway

File:Flag of Portugal.svg|Flag of Portugal

File:Flag of San Marino.svg|Flag of San Marino

File:Flag of Serbia.svg|Flag of Serbia

File:Flag of Slovakia.svg|Flag of Slovakia

File:Flag of Spain.svg|Flag of Spain

File:Flag of Sweden.svg|Flag of Sweden

File:Flag of Switzerland.svg|Flag of Switzerland

File:Flag of Tonga.svg|Flag of Tonga

File:Flag of Tuvalu.svg|Flag of Tuvalu

File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|Flag of the United Kingdom

File:Flag of the Vatican City (2023–present).svg|Flag of the Vatican City

{{Further|History of flags#Flags during the crusades|Art of the Crusades}}

In the Middle Ages, Christian flags bore various types of Christian crosses.{{cite book|title=Islam di Borneo|year=2009|publisher=Universiti Teknologi MARA|language=English |isbn=9789673052943|page=164|quote=The medieval Christian flags with different kinds of crosses (Latin, Templars, St. John's or arrow-head cross', St. Andrew's or saltire, 'nailed”, etc.) linked the knights with the church. It was a religious symbol of Christian 'holy wars' or crusades which invigorated and united the enemies of Islam.}} Military orders of Christian knights used these crosses in their flags. For example, the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of Malta) used and continue to use a Maltese cross in their flags.

File:Vexillum Francorum.svg|Flag of the French crusaders and the Order of Saint George

File:Vexillum Anglorum.svg|Flag of the English crusaders

File:Vexillum Italorum.svg|Flag of the Italian crusaders

File:Vexillum Flamingorum.svg|Flag of the Flemish crusaders

File:Banniel Breizh 1.0.svg|Flag of the Breton crusaders

File:Gascogne drapeau.svg|Flag of the Gascon crusaders

File:War flag of the Holy Roman Empire (1200-1350).svg|Flag of the German crusaders, then used as the war flag of the Holy Roman Empire

File:State Banner of Denmark (14th Century).svg|Flag of the Danish crusaders

File:Flag of the army of György Dózsa.svg|Flag of the crusader army of György Dózsa

File:Flag of the Order of St. John (various).svg|Flag of the Knights Hospitaller (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)

File:Bandiera del Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta.svg|Variant flag of the Knights Hospitaller (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)

File:Bandeira Templária.svg|Flag of the Knights Templar

File:Flag of the State of the Teutonic Order.svg|Flag of the Teutonic Order

File:Flag of the Order of Saint Lazarus.svg|Flag of the Order of Saint Lazarus

File:Drapeau du Saint-Sépulcre.svg|Flag of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

File:Vexillum Regni Hierosolymae.svg|Flag of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

File:Flag of Marseille.svg|Flag of Marseille also has its origins in the Crusader era

File:Stemma reale di Giano di Cipro.svg|Flag of the Kingdom of Cyprus

File:Galere di Santo Stefano.svg|Flag of the Galleys of the Order of Saint Stephen

File:Banner of the County of Tripoli.png|Flag of the County of Tripoli

Many Christian denominations have their own denominational flag and display it alongside the ecumenical Christian Flag or independent from it.{{Citation | url = http://www.montney.com/flag/facts.htm | publisher = Montney | title = Christian Flag Facts}}.

Catholic Churches in communion with the Holy See often display the Vatican flag along with their respective national flag, typically on opposite sides of the sanctuary, near the front door, or hoisted on flagstaffs outside. Individual dioceses may also fly flags based on the diocesan coat of arms.

The Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, particularly jurisdictions of the Greek Orthodox Church under the direct authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch, often displays this flag. It is a Byzantine double-headed eagle on a yellow (Or) field.

Parishes in the Episcopal Church frequently fly the Episcopal flag, a Cross of St. George with the upper-left canton containing a Cross of St. Andrew formed by nine cross-crosslets (representing the nine original dioceses) on a blue background.

The Salvation Army has a flag with a blue border (symbolizing the purity of God the Father), a red field (symbolizing the blood of Jesus Christ), and a gold eight-pointed star (symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit). The star bears the Salvation army's motto, "Blood and Fire".

The Anglican Communion has a blue flag with a St George's Cross in the centre surrounded with a gold band with the wording, "The Truth shall make you free." in New Testament Greek on it. From the band sprout the points of a compass (symbolising the spread worldwide of Anglicanism). On the "North" of the compass is a mitre (a symbol of apostolic order essential to all Churches and Provinces constituting the Anglican Communion).

The Church of England uses the St George's Cross flag with the coat of arms of the individual diocese in the upper-left canton.

The Church of Scotland uses a Flag of Scotland depicting the Burning Bush (or Unburnt Bush, in some traditions).

The Church in Wales uses a blue Cross defaced with a gold Celtic Cross.

The Church of Ireland uses the St Patrick's Saltire but also uses the Compass-rose Flag of the Anglican Communion equally.

The Protestant Church in Germany, a federation of Lutheran, Reformed and United Protestant churches, has a flag with a violet Latin cross.

Additionally, many Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches maintain the use of the Labarum, a historical symbol of Christianity, which is rarely used as a flag at present.

File:Flag of the Vatican City.svg|Flag of The Roman Catholic Church, also the flag of Vatican City and The Holy See

File:Flag of the Greek Orthodox Church.svg|Flag of the Greek Orthodox Church

File:Flag of Georgian Orthodox Church.svg|Flag of the Georgian Orthodox Church

File:Flag of the Episcopal Church.png|Flag of the Episcopal Church

File:Flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church.svg|Flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church

File:Armenian Apostolic Church logo.svg|Flag of the Armenian Apostolic Church

File:Standard of the Salvation Army.svg|Standard of The Salvation Army

File:Compassrose Flag.svg|Flag of the Anglican Communion

File:Church in Wales flag.svg|Flag of the Church in Wales

File:Flag of the Church of Scotland.svg|Flag of the Church of Scotland

File:Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg|Flag of the Church of Ireland

File:Anglican Church of Australia.svg|Flag of Anglican Church of Australia

File:Anglican Church of Canada Flag.svg|Flag of the Anglican Church of Canada

File:Evang.svg|Flag of the Protestant Church in Germany

File:Kreuz prot.svg|Flag of the Protestant Church in Germany (alternative version)

File:Svenska kyrkan flagga.png|Flag of the Church of Sweden

File:Hussite flag.svg|Flag of the Hussites

{{Main|Christian Flag}}

File:Christian Flag.svg

{{Multiple image

| direction = vertical

|image1=Chancel of Saint Andrew's Anglican Church.jpg

|caption1=The Christian Flag being displayed in the chancel of an Anglican sanctuary in Tinley Park, Illinois.

|image2=Jornadas de Ayuda Solidaria Pro Palestina (14692983737).jpg

|caption2=The Christian Flag and Ecuadorian Flag being carried in a parade.

}}

In the beginnings of ecumenical movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,{{cite book|last1=Sanneh|first1=Lamin|last2=McClymond|first2=Michael|title=The Wiley Blackwell Companion to World Christianity|date=23 May 2016|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|language=English|isbn=9781405153768|page=218}} the Christian Flag was first conceived on 26 September 1897, at Brighton Chapel on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York in the United States. The superintendent of a Sunday school, Charles C. Overton, gave a lecture to the gathered students and asked the students what an ecumenical flag representing all of Christianity would look like.{{cite journal|date=7 January 1909|title=Christian Flag|journal=The Christian Advocate|publisher=T. Carlton & J. Porter|location=New York|volume=84|quote=Within recent years (1897) a flag has been designed which shall stand as an emblem; (Jesse L. Jones-McKay) which all Christian nations and various denominations may rally in allegiance and devotion. This banner is called the Christian flag. It was originated by Charles C. Overton of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose first thought of it came to him while addressing a Sunday school at a rally day service. The flag is most symbolic. The ground is white, representing peace, purity and innocence. In the upper corner is a blue square, the color of the unclouded sky, emblematic of heave, the home of the Christian; also a symbol of faith and trust. in the center of the blue is the cross, the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity: the cross is red, typical of Christ's blood. The use of the national flag in Christian churches has become almost universal throughout the world.}} In 1907, Overton and Ralph Diffendorfer, secretary of the Methodist Young People's Missionary Movement, designed and began promoting the flag.{{cite web|last=Coffman|first=Elesha|title=Do you know the history of the Christian flag?|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/asktheexpert/jul13.html|publisher=Christianity Today|access-date=24 April 2014}} The Christian Flag intentionally has no patent, as the designer dedicated the flag to all of Christendom.{{cite journal|date=7 January 1909|title=Christian Flag|journal=The Christian Advocate|publisher=T. Carlton & J. Porter|location=New York|volume=84|quote=Mr. Overton has dedicated his flag to the Christian world, refusing to copyright or patent it. It stands for no creed or denomination, but for Christianity. Every sect of Christ's followers can indorse this flag and it is equally appropriate for all nations. The hymn written by Fanny Crosby is also dedicated to the free use and followers of Christ the world over.}} With regard to the Christian symbolism of the Christian Flag:

{{blockquote|The ground is white, representing peace, purity and innocence. In the upper corner is a blue square, the color of the unclouded sky, emblematic of heaven, the home of the Christian; also a symbol of faith and trust. in the center of the blue is the cross, the ensign and chosen symbol of Christianity: the cross is red, typical of Christ's blood.}}

The ecumenical organization, Federal Council of Churches, now succeeded by the National Council of Churches and Christian Churches Together, adopted the flag on 23 January 1942.{{cite journal|year=1942|title=Resolution|journal=Federal Council Bulletin|publisher=Religious Publicity Service of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America|volume=25-27}} Since then, the Christian Flag is used by many congregations of various Christian traditions, including the Anglican,{{cite book |url=https://stjohnsfortworth.com/baptistry/|title=Baptistry|date=30 October 2013 |publisher=Saint John’s Episcopal Church |location=Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth |language=English |quote=The Christian flag indicates that through baptism man shares in this divine victory over evil and eternal death.| access-date=23 September 2021}}{{cite web | last1=Kelland | first1=Ariana | last2=Howells | first2=Laura | title=Controversial Christian flag removed as provincial, national flags flown at half-mast | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/controversial-christian-flag-removed-outside-confederation-building-1.3503671 | date=March 23, 2016 | work=CBC News | access-date=January 2, 2020|quote=Rev. Howard Hynes is the pastor at St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Network Church, which organized the flag raisings.}} Baptist,{{cite book|title=Missions: American Baptist International Magazine|last=Grose|first=Howard Benjamin|publisher=American Baptist Convention|year=1917|page=49|language=en|quote=Side by side in many of our churches hangs the Christian Flag with the Stars and Stripes—the Flag of White— which forever has stood for peace, having in the corner on the field of blue, the color of sincerity, faith and truth, the red Cross symbolic of Calvary.}} Congregationalist,{{cite web |last1=Flick |first1=Stephen |title=Why We Fly the Christian Flag |url=https://christianheritagefellowship.com/why-we-fly-the-christian-flag/ |publisher=Christian Heritage Fellowship |access-date=23 September 2021 |language=English |date=24 September 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Nathan |title=We Have 2 Flags in our Sanctuary |url=https://www.firstconggreeley.com/post/we-have-2-flags-in-our-sanctuary |publisher=First Congregational Church |access-date=23 September 2021 |location=Greeley |language=English |date=4 July 2020 |quote=On the other side of the sanctuary is a Christian flag.}} Lutheran,{{cite web |title=WELS Flag Presentation |url=http://www.lwms.org/home/180021411/180007651/docs/1005%20Flag%20Presentation%202017.pdf |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod |access-date=23 September 2021 |language=English |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104223941/http://www.lwms.org/home/180021411/180007651/docs/1005%20Flag%20Presentation%202017.pdf |url-status=dead }} Mennonite,{{cite book|last=Lind|first=Hope Kauffman|title=Apart & Together: Mennonites in Oregon and Neighboring States, 1876-1976|date=1 January 1990|publisher=Herald Press|language=en|isbn=9780836131062|page=277|quote=Most congregations of Russian Mennonite heritage displayed both the national and the Christian flag in the church sanctuary.}} Methodist,{{cite book|last=Trewhitt|first=Katharine L.|title=History of Broad Street United Methodist Church, Cleveland, Tennessee, 1836-1984: The Story of Methodism in Bradley County and of the Group which Became Broad Street United Methodist Church|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwvrAAAAMAAJ|access-date=8 July 2017|year=1984|publisher=The Church|language=English|page=129|quote=In 1968 the Methodist Men of Broad Street purchased flags to be used in the sanctuary of the Church. This involved one United States flag, one Christian flag, flag poles, stands, one eagle and one cross.}} Moravian,{{cite web |last1=Aalberts |first1=Leon |title=Flags in the Sanctuary |url=https://firstchurchwilliamstown.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/18-April-2021-Chatter.pdf |publisher=First Congregational Church |access-date=23 September 2021 |location=Williamstown |page=5 |language=English |date=2021 |quote=Since its adoption by the United States Federal Council of Churches in 1942, it has been used by many Christian traditions, including the Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian, Quaker, and Reformed, among others.}} Presbyterian,{{cite web |last1=Achtemeier |first1=Katherine |title=Flags in worship |url=https://pres-outlook.org/2016/07/flags-in-worship/ |publisher=The Presbyterian Outlook |access-date=23 September 2021 |language=English |date=1 July 2016|quote=For as long as anyone could remember, the American flag had been displayed in the front of the sanctuary to the congregation’s left — to their right, the Christian flag.}} Quaker,{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Arthur O.|title=Tomorrow Is Growing Old: Stories of the Quakers in Alaska|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1nnAAAAMAAJ|access-date=8 July 2017|year=1978|publisher=Barclay Press|language=English|isbn=9780913342220|page=446}} and Reformed, among others.{{cite book|last=Schuppert|first=Mildred W.|title=A Digest and Index of the Minutes of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, 1906-1957|year=1982|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|language=English|isbn=9780802819437|page=105}}

The famous hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby, devoted a hymn titled “The Christian Flag”, with music by R. Huntington Woodman, in its honour; like the flag, the hymn is also free use.{{cite book|title=The Quiver|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_OxOPYpBT4C|access-date=4 May 2014|year=1900|publisher=Cassell Limited|page=380|quote=Miss Fanny J. Crosby, the veteran American hymn writer, has dedicated a hymn, called “The Christian Flag,” to the movement, the first verse of which is :— “ The Christian Flag!}} On the Sunday nearest 26 September 1997, the Christian Flag celebrated its one hundredth anniversary.{{cite book|title=Congratulations to The Christian Flag|edition=Fourth|date=23 March 1996|author=James R. Pollock, Ph.D., D.D.}}

{{Portal|Christianity|Heraldry and Vexillology}}

• Flag families
• Labarum
• Islamic flags
• List of national flags by design

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/rel-crus.html Flags of the Crusades (1099-1291) - CRW Flags]
• [https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/do-you-know-history-of-christian-flag.html Do You Know the History of the Christian Flag? by Professor Elesha Coffman - Christianity Today]

{{Lists of flags}}

Category:Christian symbols

Christian