OLYMPIC GAMES
2024 Olympic Games: Which three countries’ flags are not rectangular?
Most nations have a rectangular ensign - but not all. Three countries have unusually-shaped flags, two of them will be paraded at this evening’s Olympic Opening Ceremony.
National flags are much more than just mere simple pieces of cloth. They are powerful symbols that perfectly represent the history, culture and identity of each country. Behind every flag design, there is a great and fascinating story.
Although the flags of most of the world’s countries have a rectangular form with distinctive colors or symbols, there are three examples that buck the trend. Three iconoclastic flags that, for many reasons, generated a fair bit of debate on social media. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Switzerland
The first example is Switzerland. The Swiss flag is not rectangular, but square. However, in international competitions such as the Olympic Games, the standard size is used. With a white cross and a red background, tradition has it that it could be based on the insignia of the Canton of Schwyz, which dates back to 1474 and incorporated a silver cross.
The Vatican
Second is the Vatican, the smallest country in the world (at just 44 hectares). Officially adopted in 1929, it has a square emblem of yellow and white with two keys - gold and silver. Although it was part of Rome for a long time, it is now governed as an absolute monarchy with the Pope at its head.
Nepal
After seeing the two square flags, there is one that still does not meet the requirement of being rectangular, but is not like the previous ones either. This is Nepal, which almost certainly has the most atypical flag on the planet.
Formed by two triangles with the hypotenuse facing away from the edge of the flagpole, this flag is a benchmark in flag curiosities. In addition, it can also be used with a white background, so that the dimension is rectangular, but the base is the narrower side.
A total of 205 flags will be paraded at today’s Opening Olympic Ceremony in Paris - including two of the three non-rectangular ones. Santu Shrestha (table tennis), Manita Shrestha Pradhan (judo) were selected to be flagbearers for Nepal while Nino Schurter (cycling mountain bike); Nina Christen (shooting) will be carrying the flag for Switzerland.
The Vatican City is not a member of of the International Olympic Committee and as such, is not able to send a team to compete at the Games. There have been discussions to allow the Vatican City a chance to at least take part in the Opening Ceremony but as of the moment, we won’t be seeing their distinctive flag fluttering in the wind at the Olympics.