A symbol for the whole of Europe

Nowadays it flies throughout our continent, the blue flag bearing twelve golden stars.

Ever since being adopted by the Council of Europe and its then 14 member states in 1955, the European flag has been an expression of the will of a growing number of states and peoples to work together to build peace and prosperity in a continent where the common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law prevail and where full advantage is taken of diversity.

In 1986, the European Communities (now the European Union) adopted the same flag, as they used their own political and institutional methods to pursue the same fundamental aim.

Flying alongside national flags outside town halls and the regional and national political institutions throughout Europe, the blue and gold flag not only marks the presence of European institutions in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg, but is also a token of Europe's presence worldwide. 

After its foundation in 1949, the Council of Europe soon realised it needed clear symbols to show its commitment to European unity.  The European Flag, adopted in 1955, represents the ideas of European unity and identity.  The  European Union has used the same flag since 1986.

How the twelve stars were born

The idea for a European flag dates from the early 1920s. Neither of the two main forerunners, Count Coudenhove - Kalergi’s Pan-European Union flag, a yellow circle with a red cross on a blue background, and the European Movement’s green E on a white background, gained much support and no serious attempt was made to promote the idea of a flag until the Council of Europe became Europe’s first official political organisation in 1949.

At the beginning of the 1950s, various groups of experts, boards and committees looked long and hard at over a hundred suggestions from artists, heraldry experts and enthusiastic amateurs all over the world.  But no decision was reached.

In April 1955, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers shortlisted two designs.  The first was by Arsene Heitz, a member of staff, and depicted a crown “of 12 five-pointed golden stars, their points not touching” and the second, a constellation of stars proposed by Salvador de Madariaga.

In December 1955, following approval by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee of Ministers finally adopted the first design. All European institutions were urged to adopt it. It was inaugurated by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers at the Chateau de la Muette in Paris on 13 December 1955. The flag was now official. 

A powerful symbol

The circle of twelve golden stars against a blue background symbolises the peoples of Europe, with the circle representing their union. The number of stars never changes - it is always twelve, symbolising the ideals of unity and harmony and bringing to mind the months of the year and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
 
The flag gained public recognition throughout Europe.  At the Universal Exhibition in Brussels in 1958 it was flown on public buildings all over the city.

A symbol for the whole of Europe

In 1983 the European Parliament, the elected body of the European Union, in turn adopted the flag devised by the Council of Europe and recommended that it become the emblem of the European Communities.  Following the Council of Europe’s consent, in June 1985 the European Council (EU Summit) gave its formal approval.

Since 1986, both the Council of Europe and the European Communities (and subsequently, the European Union, following the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty) have been represented by the European flag and emblem.  The flag depicting twelve golden stars on a blue background has now become the symbol par excellence of European identity and a united Europe.

The European Anthem

In 1971 the Parliamentary Assembly decided to propose adopting the prelude to the Ode to Joy from Beethoven's 9th Symphony as the European anthem. The Committee of Ministers gave its approval a few months later. It was Herbert von Karajan who prepared the musical arrangement of the anthem, adapted it for orchestra and conducted the performance used to make the official recording. The anthem was launched via a major information campaign on Europe Day in 1972. It was also adopted by the European Communities in 1986, thus becoming another shared symbol for all Europeans.

What’s what?

Council of Europe :
An international organisation in Strasbourg which comprises 47 democratic countries of Europe. It was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
European Council :
Regular meeting (at least twice a year) of the heads of state or government from the member states of the European Union for the purpose of planning Union policy.
Parliamentary Assembly: The deliberative body of the Council of Europe, composed of 318 representatives (and the same number of substitutes) appointed by the 47 member states’ national parliaments.
European Parliament :
The parliamentary body of the European Union which comprises 785 European Members of Parliament of the 27 European Union countries, elected by universal suffrage.
European Commission of Human Rights:
Until November 1998, this international body examined the admissibility of all individual or state applications against a member state in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights; it expressed an opinion on the violation alleged in applications found to be admissible in cases in which no friendly settlement is reached.
European Commission :
The executive organ of the European Union, based in Brussels, which monitors the proper application of the Union treaties and the decisions of the Union institutions.
European Court of Human Rights :
Based in Strasbourg, this is the only truly judicial organ established by the European Convention on Human Rights. It is composed of one Judge for each State party to the Convention and ensures, in the last instance, that contracting states observe their obligations under the Convention. Since November 1998, the Court has operated on a full-time basis.
Court of Justice of the European Communities:
Meets in Luxembourg and ensures compliance with the law in the interpretation and application of the European Treaties of the European Union.
International Court of Justice :
Judicial body of the United Nations which meets in The Hague.
European Convention on Human Rights :
Treaty by which the member states of the Council of Europe undertake to respect fundamental freedoms and rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights :
Adopted by the United Nations in 1948 in order to strengthen the protection of human rights at international level.

May 2007

Key dates

5 May 1949
Treaty of London, establishing the Council of Europe, signed by ten states: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

4 November 1950
Signature in Rome of the Council’s Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms – the first international legal instrument safeguarding human rights.

19 December 1954
Signature of the European Cultural Convention, forming the framework for the Council’s work in education, culture, youth and sport.

16 April 1956
The Resettlement Fund (now the Council of Europe Development Bank) set up to help member states with socially oriented projects.

12 January 1957
The Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (now the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe) set up by the Council of Europe, to bring together local and regional authority representatives.

18 September 1959
The European Court of Human Rights established by the Council in Strasbourg, under the European Convention on Human Rights, to ensure observance of the obligations undertaken by contracting states.

18 October 1961
The Council’s European Social Charter signed in Turin as the economic and social counterpart of the European Convention on Human Rights.

1 June 1972
The Council’s first European Youth Centre is opened in Strasbourg (France).

27 March 1980
The Pompidou Group established by the Council as a multi-disciplinary forum for inter-ministerial co-operation against drug abuse and trafficking.

26 November 1987
Signature of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, drawn up by the Council of Europe.

8 June 1989
Special guest status introduced by the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly, to forge closer links with the parliaments of new member states moving towards democracy.

30 April 1990
The Council’s North/South Centre opened in Lisbon (Portugal).

10 May 1990
The European Commission for Democracy through Law (the “Venice Commission“) established by the Council to deal with legal guarantees on democracy.

6 November 1990
Accession of the first State from the former Soviet Block: Hungary.

September 1991
Establishment of European Heritage Days, with European Union support.

8 and 9 October 1993
First Council of Europe summit of heads of state and governmentin Vienna (Austria) adopts a declaration confirming its pan-European vocation and setting new political priorities in protecting national minorities and combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and intolerance.

17 January 1994
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) set up by the Council’s Committee of Ministers to replace the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe.

1 February 1995
Signature of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, drawn up by the Council of Europe.


9 November 1995
“the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” joins the Council of Europe.

15 December 1995
Opening of the Council’s second European Youth Centre in Budapest (Hungary).

28 February 1996
Russia joins the Council of Europe.

4 April 1997
Signature of the Council’s European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.

10 and 11 October 1997
Second Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Strasbourg (France).

12 January 1998
Signature of the Council’s Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, prohibiting the cloning of human beings.

1 November 1998
Single permanent European Court of Human Rights established in Strasbourg under Protocol No. 11 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

5 May 1999
50th Anniversary of the Council of Europe.

4 November 2000
50th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.

25 January 2001
Armenia and Azerbaijan join the Council of Europe.

23 November 2001
Signature of the Convention on Cyber-crime.

24 April 2002
Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the Council of Europe.

2 May 2002
Signature of Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, concerning the abolition of death penalty in all circumstances.

15 July 2002
Adoption of the “Guidelines on Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism”.

28 January 2003
Signature of the Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems.

3 April 2003
Serbia and Montenegro joins the Council of Europe.

15 May 2003
Signature of the Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism.

5 October 2004
Monaco joins the Council of Europe.

15 and 16 May 2005
Third Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Warsaw, Poland.

13 December 2005
50th Anniversary of the European Flag.