The flag of Kosovo (test)

The Flag of Kosovo by Zachary Harden (USA)

The Kosovo flag has six stars that represent the six major ethnic groups in the country; Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma (including the Ashkali and Egyptians) and Bosniaks. Below the six star arc is the map of Kosovo, colored in gold; all of the elements are centered on a blue background (known as a field in vexillology). The designer of the flag was Muhamer Ibrahimi. The current design is a modification of what he had earlier; Ibrahimi had a blue flag with five gold stars surrounding a white map of Kosovo.

While the ratio of the Kosovo flag is a height of two and a width of three (2:3), the other construction details of the flag are not certain. The color shades of the flag are provided as follows from the following sources:

Government of Kosovo (CMYK):
*Blue field: 98-52-0-36
*Kosovo: 0-19-51-18
*Stars: 0-0-0-0

Kosovo Thanks You (Red, Blue, Green and HTML Hexidecimal:
*Blue field: 24-56-132 (#183884)
*Kosovo: 219-187-91 (#DBBB5B)
*Stars: 255-255-255 (#FFFFFF)

On February 20th, 2008, a law was passed by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo regarding the state symbols of Kosovo. Chapter 2 of the law, titled “On Use of State Symbols of Kosova” (Law Nr. 03/L-038), lists not only where the flag of Kosovo can be displayed but also how it is used. All government and public institutions are required to display the flag inside and outside their buildings; other organizations can display the flag inside their offices if they choose to do so. The flag is also used at all meetings that the Government of Kosovo is involved, and vehicles used by Kosovar officials while overseas. All citizens have the right to display the Kosovo flag, along with other flags of national communities.

In the following circumstances is when the flag of Kosovo is always present:
1.The Presidential residence, the Assembly of Kosovo building and government minitries
2.All border checkpoints
3.At Kosovar embassies and consulates overseas
4.During official national holidays

The state flag is also required at the following events:
1.The departure and arrival receptions of the President of Kosovo, President of the Assembly of Kosovo and the Prime Minister when the trip will take them abroad
2.Official state receptions for arriving heads of state
3.Events of a cultural, historic or athletic in nature (just to name a few) that Kosovo is taking a part of

The national flag can be flown on based on suggestions from the government or as long as it does not violate the law. Damaged flags are to be retired in a respectful manner.

When displaying the national flag, the physical position must be on it's left (when looking at a group of flags). When the flag poles are placed where they cross each other, the Kosovo flag must be placed first (once again where it is on the left). When another country's flag (in this case, Japan) is flown beside the national flag, the national flag must once again be on the left. It is important to note that with international flags, they must be the same size as the Kosovo flag and the poles must be the same height. When flags of cities, national organizations and other groups are flown, they must be flown right to the national flag or the Kosovo flag can be flown at a center pole. Once again, no flag can be larger than the flag of Kosovo and no flag can be flown above it. The only exceptions is that during international conferences, the flags will be arranged in alphabetical order. During times of national mourning, the flag of Kosovo is flown at half-mast (or half-staff). Black ribbons can be attached to a pole that has the national flag permanently affixed. The flag can be used to cover the coffins of distinguished citizens, but they must be removed before internment or cremation.