CIRCA - 1955 🇪🇺 - 12 gold 5-pointed stars arranged in a circle centered upon a blue background

HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of Europe in 1955, prioritizing emblematic simplicity to unite diverse

post-war European aspirations, and formally embraced by EU institutions in 1986.

VEXILLOLOGY:* Symbolizing the ideals of unity, solidarity, & harmony among the peoples of Europe.;

• The 12 GOLD ⭐ STARS represents perfection & entirety (a classical reference to 12 hours on a clock, 12 months / 12 zodiac signs - deliberately chosen independent of the varying number of member states)

• They form a CIRCLE ◌ to represent completeness & integration**

• The  BLUE 🔍 Field  is meant to evoke the vastness of the European sky & foster a sense of shared continental identity without nationalistic overtones.

* The STUDY of FLAGS; their history, symbolism, usage, and design. From Latin vexillum - referring to a Roman military standard / flag (from velum= cloth/ covering/sail/curtain

[PIE🔍 root weg = to weave / to cover]) + Greek suffix -logia = study]

** Officially, the motif is secular, rather than religious, but designer, Arsène Heitz, says he drew inspiration from the biblical Book of Revelation depicting 'the Women' crowned with 12 stars

(whom, as a Catholic, he interpreted to be the Virgin Mary)