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Andorra

Verdict: 

Continent:

Europe

Name: 

Bandera d'Andorra

Use:

National Flag

Proportion:

7:10

Adoption:

1971

Design

Andorra is a very tiny country caught between Spain and France in Western Europe. The flag is a tricolor of blue, yellow and red, with the Andorran coat of arms in the center.

Flag of Andorra

Reason for Verdict

  1. Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory…​

  2. Use Meaningful Symbolism. The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes…​​

  3. Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors. Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set…

  4. No Lettering or Seals. Never use writing on any kind or an organization’s seal…

  5. Be Distinctive or Be Related. Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections…​

Detailed Explanation

  • The design with the coat of arms is unfortunately rather complex, and the words does drag it down in the fourth category.

  • The colors are rather interesting since they don't have an actual meaning by themselves, and are instead taken from the Spanish and French flags, the blue and red coming from the French flag and the yellow and red from the Spanish. The coat of arms is more complex, featuring a shield with the motto Virtus Unita Fortior and is Latin for United Virtues Stand Stronger. Inside the shield it is seperated into four squares: The upper left quadrant is for the region of La Seu d'Urgell, just south of Andorra. The upper right square is for the County of Foix, in southern France. The lower left region stands for Aragon, a region in Spain and is symbolized by the flag of Catalonia (also in Spain) while the lower right square is for the former Viscounty of Béarn in southern France.

  • The Andorran flag is very similiar to many other countries, including Moldova and Chad, however, I found this flag to still be distinct enough.

​

Flag History

(1806 - 1866)

(1866 - 1937)

(1937 - 1971)

Source: Portlandflag.org, Wikipedia.org, Geography Now on Youtube.com

© 2018 by Emil Hage

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