Flags of Etruria
From AuroraWiki
There are several national flags of Etruria and each Province has its own flag also. Additionally, there are several standards in used by senior government and military officials as well as company-sized and larger military units.
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State Flag
The state flag of Etruria has a black background with a red laurel wreath and the initialism S.P.Q.E. in the center. The ratio of the standard flag is 3:5. The State flag is often displayed as a banner, known as a hanging flag, with the ratio of 5:2.
The laurel wreath is a national symbol of triumph and victory. The black background also represents qualities of knowledge, piety, serenity and work. The red, the color of blood and fire, and represents life and vitality. According to Etrurian tradition the red initialism of the state surrounded by the triumphant laurels on top of the black background symbolizes the State's enlightened advancement of her people from the depths primordial void of humanity.
The Etrurian flag may be hung vertically or horizontally, but not at any other angle. In any case, the initialism and the laurel must be centered and positioned in such a way as to ensure the initialism can be read level from left to right.
The Etrurian state flag must be flown centered and higher than any lesser flags. When carried in a procession, it is to be at the front and center of the formation, held erect, flown free and is never bowed or lowered. When it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, it should be on the right with its staff in front of the other nation's staff. When displayed with the flags of other nations, the Etrurian flag is to be flown from a separate staff of the same height. When more than two national flags are displayed, the Etrurian flag is to be centered. When displayed overseas, the host nation's flag is to the right of the Etrurian flag, except when only two national flags are displayed. Whenever only two flags are displayed, the Etrurian flag is always to be to the right.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so the top is at the head and the initialism and laurel are centered and positioned in such a way as to ensure the initialism can be read level from left to right. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. The flag must drape the entire casket. The state flag can only be used in burial ceremonies honoring citizens who died in service to the nation.
The state flag may only be flown by the government both in Etruria and abroad. Before any official state flag is commissioned into use, it must take part in a ceremony where it touched the blood stone at the Templi Etrurii. The state flag must not be folded. Instead it is rolled and stored in a cylinder leather case of an appropriate size.
National Flag
The national flag of Etruria is a horizontal tri-color with each band equal in size. The ratio of the flag is always 3:5. The obverse and reverse of the national flag are identical.
The tri-color represents the three Etrurian Provinces. Red represents qualities of strength, health, vigor and passion in the pure Etrurian bloodlines. Red is associated with Alsatia Province and it is positioned at the bottom of the flag to represent the foundations on which Etruria was built. White represents purity, truth and spirituality. White is associated with Ambrosia Province and is commonly held to represent the mountain snows that are the source of the mighty Ambrosian River. Black represents determination and conquest. It is associated with Elysion Province, whose conquest was the central focus of early Etrurian history and national identity.
The state flag takes precedence over the national flag and both flags cannot be displayed at the same time. The same rules regarding placement apply to both flags. When the national flag is displayed vertically the red band is to be to the left and when possible is to face north or east. When draped over a casket the red band is to be to the left.
The national flag must not be folded. Instead it is rolled and stored in a cylinder leather case of an appropriate size.
Anyone may fly the national flag on land or at sea.
War Flag
The war flag of Etruria has a black background with a red laurel wreath. The ratio of the standard flag is 1:2, but any ratio is permitted.
The war flag must not be folded. Instead it is rolled and stored in a cylinder leather case of an appropriate size.
The war flag can only be flown by the Etrurian military on land from a dedicated flag pole, official vehicle, or by an official standard bearer. It cannot be draped or hung. The war flag cannot be flown or displayed with another flag. Nor can it be flown in the same venue as the state or national flag. The state flag is to be properly displayed in place of the war flag when such situations require it to be presented with other flags.
National Ensign
The national ensign of Etruria is a pennon ending in a swallow-tail with the same tri-color band design of the national flag. The ratio is 3:12.
The national ensign must not be folded. Instead it is rolled and stored in a cylinder leather case of an appropriate size.
By law, only the Etrurian naval ships at sea may fly the national ensign. The national ensign may share a hoist with other non-political flags but must be placed at the top.
Provincial Flags
Provincial flags are for civil usage only. Provincial offices and dependencies usually fly only the state flag. Occasionally, provincial flags will be flown at government offices on very special local occasions.
Alsatia Province
The flag of Alsatia is a bicolor with white on top and red on the bottom. The ratio is 3:5.
The white and red can be traced to the ancient Etrurian Kingdom at Arretium whose flag was a white dragon on a red background.
Ambrosia Province
The flag of Ambrosia Province is white with a black cross. The ratio is 3:5.
Elysion Province
The flag of Elysion Province is black with a white pegasus surrounded by the motto Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene, the goddesses of Good Order, Justice, and Peace. The ratio is 3:5.
Standards
Standards in Etruria are typically square, having a ratio of 1:1.
State Standard
The state standard of Etruria has the initialism SPQE, meaning the Senate and People of Etruria, surrounded by a laurel wreath in a design identical to the state flag. Both are red on a white background. A white background symbolizes truth, purity of purpose and peace. The ratio is 1:1.
The standard can be presented as a plaque, banner, or seal with or without a background so long as the proportion remains unchanged. According to law, the state standard must always be positioned so that the initialism is centered, level and read left to right.
When displayed with the standard of another state, the state standard is on the right. When displayed with more than two standards, the state standard is to be centered and to the left of the host nation's standard. When displayed with lesser standards, the state standard is to be placed higher.
When displayed on a wall as a plaque, it is to be 5'5" (165 cm) from the ground to its center. If it is displayed at the entrance to a door it is to be to the left of the door. When hung as a banner it shall be secured to a wooden mast of equal length at three points along the hoist end (top). If used as a printed seal or signet, red ink or wax must be used. As an aquila, the state standard can be cast out of any metal but must be silver, gray, or black and be presented on the highest staff without adornment.
Use of the state standard is limited to official diplomatic and senatorial purposes.
Imperial Standard
The Imperial standard has the initialism IP, meaning Imperator Princeps, surrounded by a laurel wreath in a design similar to the state flag. Both are red on a white background. The white background symbolizes truth, purity of purpose and peace. The ratio is 1:1.
The standard can be presented as a plaque, banner, or seal with or without a background so long as the proportion remains unchanged. According to law, the Imperial standard must always be positioned so that the initialism is centered, level and read left to right.
When displayed with the standard of another dignitary, the Imperial standard is on the right. When displayed with more than two standards, the Imperial standard is to be centered and to the left of the host official's standard. When displayed with lesser standards, the Imperial standard is to be placed higher. The state standard takes precedence over the Imperial standard.
When displayed on a wall as a plaque, it is to be 5'5" (165 cm) from the ground to its center. If it is displayed at the entrance to a door it is to be to the left of the door. When hung as a banner it shall be secured to a wooden mast of equal length at three points along the hoist end (top). If used as a printed seal or signet, red ink or wax must be used. As an aquila, the Imperial standard can be cast out of any metal but must be silver, gray, or black.
Use of the standard is limited to the Imperator.
Military Standard
Several varieties of military standards are used throughout the Etrurian military.
Legion Standards
Legion standards have a silver eagle displayed behind a laurel wreath. The eagles talons are shown grasping two unicorn horns at the base of the wreath. The motto is written on a ribbon and below is the units name. The background is black.
The eagle symbolizes strength, courage, farsightedness and immortality. It faces the hoist so as to look forward into battle. The laurel wreath symbolizes both military triumph and the authority of the state. The unicorn horn represents unity. Units that have distinguished themselves with a battle victory have lightning bolts extending out from the base of the laurel.
Rules regarding the handling of legion standards vary from unit to unit. However, the legion standards are inferior to the state flag, national flag, and the national ensign.
Naval Standards
Naval standards are a pennon ending in a swallow-tail with the same tri-color band design of the national flag. The name of the naval unit is written in black centered in the white band. The ratio is 3:12.
Naval squadron standards are typically flown immediately below the national ensign. Squadron standards have a ratio of 3:8.
Certian flagships are permitted to fly a naval standard in place of the national ensign. Such standards have a ration of 3:12.
