The seven colours from flags around the world fly in harmony. Like the rainbow, this flag is a symbol of hope and peace. Other organizations sometimes use the traditional rainbow flag as a symbol of cooperation. In 2001, the ICA's official flag was changed from a rainbow flag to a rainbow logo flag on a white field, to clearly promote and strengthen the cooperative image, but still use the rainbow image. The first co-op rainbow flag was completed in 1924 and was adopted as an official symbol of the international cooperative movement in 1925. He pointed out that the rainbow symbolized unity in diversity and the power of light, enlightenment and progress. After some experiments with different designs, a famous French cooperator, Professor Charles Gide, suggested using the seven colours of the rainbow for the flag. In Essen, Germany in 1922, the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) designed an international co-op symbol and a flag for the first "Co-operators' Day," which was held in July 1923. The rainbow flag has been the cooperative emblem since 1921 when the International Co-operative Congress of World Co-op Leaders met in Basel, Switzerland to identify and define the growing cooperative movement's common values and ideals to help unite co-ops around the world. See also: International Co-operative Alliance § The flagĪ seven-colour rainbow flag is a common symbol of the international cooperative movement. Rainbow flags in various cultures and movements Reformation (1525) There are several independent rainbow flags in use today. The pride flag has represented gay pride since 1978 and evolved into a symbol of the LGBT movement. Since 1961, the international peace flag, also known as the PACE flag, has been especially popular in Italy and to a lesser extent Europe and the rest of the world. 1920) is used in Andean indigenism in Peru and Bolivia to represent the legacy of the Inca Empire. The International Co-operative Alliance adopted a rainbow flag in 1925. Ĭontemporary international uses of a rainbow flag dates to the beginning of the 20th century. In the 18th century, American Revolutionary War writer Thomas Paine proposed that a rainbow flag be used as a maritime flag to signify neutral ships in time of war.
2.2 Armenian Republic proposed flag (1919).2 Rainbow flags in various cultures and movements.
Popularity spiked again a decade later when a West Hollywood resident sued his landlord over the right to hang his flag outside his residence. After the assassination of Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978, demand for the rainbow banner only increased. Baker then took the design to Paramount Flag Company, which sold a version of the flag without hot pink and turquoise, which were replaced with blue for practicality purposes. It was first showcased at San Francisco’s Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.Īfter the design was unveiled, participants of the parade proudly waved the new symbol in solidarity. With the help of close to 30 volunteers working in the attic of the Gay Community Center in San Francisco, Baker was able to construct the first draft of the now world-renowned rainbow flag. At the top was hot pink, which represented sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow signifying sunlight, green for nature, turquoise to represent art, indigo for harmony, and finally violet at the bottom for spirit. The original flag featured eight colors, each having a different meaning. The different colors within the flag were meant to represent togetherness, since LGBT people come in all races, ages and genders, and rainbows are both natural and beautiful.