United Nations Flag

History

The UN flag was adopted on December 7, 1946. The design was created for a pin given to UN Conference delegates in 1945. The unique polar projection map was chosen as a neutral perspective that does not privilege any continent.

Colors

UN Blue, White

UN blue was chosen as the opposite of red, the colour commonly associated with war and aggression; white represents peace.

Symbols

World map projected from the North Pole, surrounded by two olive branches

The polar projection shows all the inhabited continents of the world; the olive branches are a universal symbol of peace.