The official flag of the European Union features a circle of 12 golden-yellow stars on an azure blue background, which serves as a universal symbol of unity, solidarity, and harmony across the continent. Contrary to a common misconception, the number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member states; rather, 12 is a traditional symbol of perfection, stability, and completeness.
Below is a complete breakdown of the official European Union flag specifications, the color rules used across EU branding, and a guide to how colors unify the individual flags of the 27 EU member states. Official Specifications of the EU Flag
The design was originally created by the Council of Europe in 1955 and later adopted by the European Union in 1985. To ensure consistency in print and digital media, the official color codes are strictly standardized: Color Name RGB Values CMYK Values Background Pantone Reflex Blue #000099 0, 0, 153 100% Cyan + 80% Magenta Stars Pantone Yellow #FFCC00 255, 204, 0 100% Process Yellow
Proportions: The flag always maintains a strict height-to-width ratio of 2:3.
Star Alignment: The 12 five-pointed stars are arranged in a circle mimicking the hours on a clock face, and all points must point upwards vertically. The Broader EU Branding Palette
For official applications, digital services, and web layouts, the European Commission expands its visual identity using a specialized corporate color palette. This standard palette communicates accessibility and trust: EU flag – European Union
Leave a Reply