Flag of Cyprus
countryThe flag of Cyprus was adopted on August 16, 1960 to a design by İsmet Güney. White field with a copper map of the island above two olive branches. It uses 3 colours: white, copper and green. The official proportions are 3:5.
Hoist
Ratio 3:5
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Country | Cyprus |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Cyprus |
| Capital | Nicosia |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | CY / CYP |
| Internet Domain | .cy |
| Calling Code | +357 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Greek, Turkish |
| Demonym | Cypriot |
| Area | 9,251 km² |
| Population | 1.3 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 16, 1960 |
| First Used | 1960 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 16, 1960 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Copper, Green |
| Designer | İsmet Güney |
| Design Type | White field with a copper map of the island above two olive branches |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Cyprus |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Copper | #D57800 | 213, 120, 0 | 0, 44, 100, 16 | |
| Green | #4E5B31 | 78, 91, 49 | 14, 0, 46, 64 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents peace |
|---|---|
| Copper colour | Represents the island’s copper, which gave Cyprus its name |
| Green colour | Represents the olive branches and peace |
| Map of the island | One of only a handful of national flags to show the country’s own outline |
| Olive branches | Peace between the Greek and Turkish communities — the flag deliberately avoids blue, red and any crescent or cross |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1960 | The design was first used |
| 1960-08-16 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Cyprus Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Cyprus
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 66 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 16, 1960 |
| Oldest Version | 1960 |
| Designer | İsmet Güney |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Belize, Brazil, California |
| Unique Feature | White field with a copper map of the island above two olive branches |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Cyprus
- Cyprus is one of only two countries whose flag shows its own map, a choice made at independence in 1960 specifically to avoid the blue of Greece or the red of Turkey.
- The copper-orange of the island outline refers to the copper deposits that gave Cyprus its name; the Latin word for copper, cuprum, derives from the island.
- The constitution requires the flag to be neutral in colour and design, which is why no religious or ethnic symbol appears on it.
- The flag of Cyprus was officially adopted on August 16, 1960. It was designed by İsmet Güney.
- The flag in its present form is 66 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with a copper map of the island above two olive branches.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, copper and green.
- The white on the flag stands for peace.
- The copper on the flag stands for the island’s copper, which gave Cyprus its name.
- The green on the flag stands for the olive branches and peace.
- Map of the island: One of only a handful of national flags to show the country’s own outline.
- Olive branches: Peace between the Greek and Turkish communities — the flag deliberately avoids blue, red and any crescent or cross.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Belize, Brazil and California.
- Cyprus became independent on 16 August 1960 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national animal is the Cypriot mouflon.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Cyprus
When was the flag of Cyprus adopted?
The flag of Cyprus was officially adopted on August 16, 1960.
What do the colours of the flag of Cyprus mean?
White for peace, copper for the island’s copper, which gave Cyprus its name and green for the olive branches and peace.
When did Cyprus gain independence?
Cyprus became independent on 16 August 1960 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Cyprus?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Cyprus represent?
Map of the island — One of only a handful of national flags to show the country’s own outline. Olive branches — Peace between the Greek and Turkish communities — the flag deliberately avoids blue, red and any crescent or cross.
Who designed the flag of Cyprus?
The flag was designed by İsmet Güney.
What are the proportions of the flag of Cyprus?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Cyprus?
The national anthem is "Hymn to Liberty".
When is the national day of Cyprus?
It falls on 1 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Cyprus?
The national animal is the Cypriot mouflon.