Flags of Greek Revolutionary Organizations
Greek Guerilla Flag
The flag above was used by Hellenic guerilla groups rising up against the Ottoman Empire that did not have their own official ensignia.
Data
Proportions:
1" x 1.7"
Date Used:
1821-27
Flag of the First Hellenic Republic
The First Hellenic Republic was the primary body of the Greek revolution and the name of the new Hellenic state subsequently after the revolution. It displays a sky blue Orthodox cross on a white field.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821-32
Flag of the Mani Peninsula
The Mani Peninsula was an autonomous revolutionary organization believed to be descended from the Spartans. The flag above was the one that they used. Above the blue cross, the Greek motto is shown, Ελευθερία ή θάνατος or Freedom or Death. Below,
the Spartan motto is displayed, saying Με αυτό ή επάνω σε αυτό, or "With it or Upon It".
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821-29
Flag of Thracian Revolutionaries
This is the flag attributed to the Thracian Revolutionaries in the Greek War of Independence. It displayed a black Greek Orthodox cross, surrounded by a navy blue field.
Data
Proportions:
5" x 7"
Date Used:
1821-31
Flag of Chalkidikian Revolutionaries
Chalkidiki was one of the earliest Greek provinces in rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, and its flag was used widely among its citizens. It depicts a white cross on top of an Islamic Crescent with a blue field, signaling the fall of Ottoman
rule in the peninsula. The banner also depicts the main livelihood of people in the area, being agriculture and fishing.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821-29
Flag of the Revolutionary Samian Government
The flag above is the one used on the island of Samos during the Greek War of Independence. It has a white field, and on the bottom it shows a bundle of reeds, meaning collective strength in numbers. Above that is a red cross with two spears
protruding from its bottom on each side, surrounded by a Greek olive wreath.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1822-27
Thessalian Revolutionary Flag
Anthimos Gazis and his soldiers from Thessaly in the revolution used the flag depicted above. The design is one similar to that of Georgia, with a red Orthodox cross in the center with a white field. It also includes the smaller square cross
in each corner of the flag.
Data
Proportions:
5" x 8"
Date Used:
March 25, 1821-1823
Flag of Alexander Ypsilantis
The flag shown above was used by the revolutionary commander Alexander Ypsilantis. It depicts a horizontal tricolor of black, white, and red, and contains the Greek coat of arms in the center.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821-26
First Flag of the Revolution
Andreas Londos was the first person to lift a revolutionary flag in the Greek War of Independence, being the banner depicted above. The design shows A black cross on a blood-red field.
Data
Proportions:
5" x 8"
Date Used:
March 25, 1821-1825
Flag of Athanasios Diakos' Soldiers
Athanasios Diakos' soldiers used the flag above to identify themselves. It shows the crest of St. George slaying the devil on a white field. His unit was concentrated mostly in Central Greece.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821
Flag of the Sacred Band
The flag above is attributed to the Sacred Band, a Hellenic revolutionary organization in the Danubian Principalities. In the middle is an eagle, surrounded by the words "ΕΚ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΝΕΩΣ ΜΟΥ ΑΝΑΓΕΝΝΩΜΑΙ", meaning "From my Ashes I'm Reborn".
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1821
Flag of the Filiki Eteria
The Filiki Eteria was a secret organization established in Odessa, with the goal of overthrowing Ottoman rule in Greece and establishing an independent Greek state. Their flag is nearly identical to that of the Samian Revolutionaries, with the only difference being that
the two symbols on the sides of the cross are instead on blue flags at the ends of the spears.
Data
Proportions:
2" x 3"
Date Used:
1814-1832
Sources