THE GREEK FLAG OF 1822

From 20 December 1821 to 16 January 1822, the revolted Greeks held their first National Assembly at Nea Epidavros (known then as Piada), which adopted the “Provisional Constitution” of Greece. As specified in paragraphs 104 and 105, the colours of the Greek flag were to be blue and white, and the Executive was entrusted with deciding on its design. The colours chosen most likely allude to the blue of the sea and the white of the waves. By its Decision no. 540, taken on 15 March 1822, the Executive decreed that the flag of the land forces would feature a white cross dividing a blue background into four equal parts.