Isreal Flag Pictures
Israel’s flag holds historical, religious symbolism
The flag of the State of Israel, with its Star of David centered on a white background between two horizontal light blue stripes, is one of the most recognizable flags in the world, especially because of its association with the Jewish religion. It’s ironic then that the Star of David so recognized as a symbol of Judaism began with no religious significance in that faith.
While the Jews have adopted the symbol as part of their religious and national identity, they are not the only, nor were they the first, people to use the symbol – also referred to as a hexagram or six-pointed star. Hexagrams have been used by Muslims (Seal of Solomon), Hindus (satkona yantra), and Buddhists, as well as in occultism, magic and alchemy.
Many sources say the first use of the Star of David as a symbol of Jewish identity appeared in Prague in 1354. By the 19th century, Jews throughout the world identified with the Star of David symbol.
But when the State of Israel was proclaimed in 1948 and officials began considering a flag design, they debated the use of the Star of David in the design because of its association with the Zionist movement. Officials feared that Jews living in other countries who flew the Zionist flag, which included the Star of David, could be accused of having dual loyalty by their country of citizenship.
According to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, the new country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moshe Sharett, first raised the concern then later decided to put the question of flag design to Jewish leaders around the world. He received the following response Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of New York: We would prefer to leave the Zionist flag as the national flag of Israel, with a minimum of changes. We feel that the fear of complications as a result of use of the flag at Zionist gatherings overseas has been somewhat exaggerated." Others agreed, and on Oct. 28, Israel’s Provisional Council of State voted unanimously to adopt the Zionist flag as that of the State of Israel. The resolution went into effect on Nov. 12, 1948.
Modern Zionism, organized in the 19th century, had always been directly concerned with the political establishment of the State of Israel. But in religious context, the idea has ancient roots that refer to the Jews regaining the Land of Israel after being overrun and enslaved by the Babylonians in 586 BCE – the start of the Jewish Diaspora.
The State of Israel has existed for 60 years, but the Land of Israel, according to religious references, was created about 4,000 years ago when God promised land to the descendents of Abraham, through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. The Hebrew Bible gives three different boundaries of that land, which in any case, was larger than today’s State of Israel.
While most people see the Star of David on Israel’s flag as religious reference, it is the colors – white and dark sky-blue – that are tied directly to the Jewish religion.
The blue stripes represent the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl. The colors are also mentioned in Exodus in the Hebrew Bible as the colors of the high priest’s raiment and the Tabernacle curtains. The colors symbolize purity and the spirituality of the Jewish people.
In 1864, 33 years before the Zionist movement was organized, Austrian Jewish poet A. L. Frankl wrote of the colors in Judah’s Colors :
When sublime feelings his heart fill,
He is mantled in the colors of his country
He stands in prayer, wrapped
In a sparkling robe of white.
The hems of the white robe
Are crowned with broad stripes of blue;
Like the robe of the High Priest,
Adorned with bands of blue threads.
These are the colors of the beloved country,
Blue and white are the borders of Judah;
White is the radiance of the priesthood,
And blue, the splendors of the firmament.
Throughout Israel, and the world, blue and white Israeli flags fly on Independence Day. While independence was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, Independence Day is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar, on Iyar 5, so the date of celebration can change from year to year. In 2008 and 2009, Israel Independence Day, Yom Ha'Atzmaut, falls on May 8.
Buy Israeli flags at united-states-flag.com
See facts on Israel at CIA’s World Factbook
See flags of Israel at Flags of the World
State Proclamation of the Flag of the State of Israel at Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
See Israel flag specifications at Vexilla Mundi
See flags of Israel at World Flag Database
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