Editing Symbols of Europe

{{Short description|Overview of the symbols of Europe}}
{{About|pan-European symbols|a list of national coats of arms|Armorial of Europe|a list of national flags|Flags of Europe|symbols of the European Union|Symbols of the European Union}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2010}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
A number of symbols of [[Europe]] have emerged since antiquity, notably the mythological figure of ''[[Europa (consort of Zeus)|Europa]]''.
 
Several symbols were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s by the [[European Council]]. The [[European Communities]] created additional symbols for itself in 1985, which was to become inherited by the [[European Union]] (EU) in 1993. Such [[symbols of the European Union]] now represent political positions in support of EU policies and [[European integration]] as advocated by [[ethnic groups in Europe|Europeans]].

=={{anchor|Europa}} Europa and the bull==
{{Main|Europa (consort of Zeus)}}

[[File:The Kidnapping of Europa Mosaic.jpg|thumb|Europa ''[[velificatio|velificans]]'', "her fluttering tunic… in the breeze" (mosaic, [[Zeugma Mosaic Museum]])]]
[[File:Map by Fredericus de Wit with Europa personification.jpg|thumb|Europa as a representation of Europe (''Nova et accurata totius Europæ descriptio'' by [[Frederik de Wit|Fredericus de Wit]], 1700)]]
[[File:European Union residence permit emblem.svg|thumb|Symbol displayed on all EU and residence permits]]

''Europa'' was used as a geographical term, for one of the great divisions of the [[Ecumene|known world]], by [[Herodotus]] (in a reduced geographical scope, referring to parts of [[Thrace]] or [[Epirus]], also in the [[Homeric hymn]] to [[Apollo]]). It became the geographical term for the landmass west of the [[Tanais]] in the Roman-era geography by [[Strabo]] and [[Ptolemy]].
''Europa'' first began to be used in a cultural sense, denoting the territory of [[Latin Church|Latin]] [[Christendom]], in the [[Carolingian period]].

''Europa'' is a feminine name, the name of a [[nymph]] in [[Hesiod]], and in a legend first related by [[Herodotus]], the name of a [[Phoenicia]]n noble-woman abducted by Greeks (in Herodotus' opinion, [[Cretans]]). The classical legend of Europa being abducted not by Greek pirates but by [[Zeus]] in the shape of a [[bull]] is told in [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]''. According to the account, Zeus took the guise of a tame white bull and mixed himself with the herds of Europa's father. While Europa and her female attendants were gathering flowers, she saw the bull, and got onto his back. Zeus took that opportunity and ran to the sea and swam, with her on his back, to the island of [[Crete]]. There he revealed his true identity, and Europa became the first queen of Crete. Zeus gave her a necklace made by [[Hephaestus]] and three additional gifts: [[Talos]], [[Laelaps (mythology)|Laelaps]] and a [[Pilum|javelin]] that never missed. Zeus later re-created the shape of the white bull in the stars, which is now known as the constellation [[Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]].

In addition to generally being a frequent motif in European art since [[Greco-Roman]] times, the [[founding myth]] of Europa and the bull has frequently been alluded to in relation to the continent and by the modern European Union, and can thus be considered not only a piece of [[toponymy]], but also as a symbol, or [[national personification]] of Europe. For instance, statues of Europa and the bull are located outside several of the European Union's institutions, as well as on the [[Greek euro coins|Greek €2 coin]]. Europa's name appeared on postage stamps commemorating the Council of Europe, which were first issued in 1956.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Furthermore, the dome of the [[European Parliament]]'s [[Espace Léopold#Paul-Henri Spaak|Paul-Henri Spaak building]] contains a large mosaic by [[Aligi Sassu]] portraying the [[Europa (mythology)|abduction of Europa]] with other elements of [[Greek mythology]]. The bull is also in the top-left corner of the new design of the residence permit card of all European Union countries.<ref>{{cite book|last= Demey |first= Thierry |others= S. Strange (trans.) |title= Brussels, capital of Europe |year= 2007 |publisher= Badeaux |location= Brussels |isbn= 978-2-9600414-2-2 |page= 387 }}</ref>

==Europa regina==
{{Main|Europa regina}}
[[File:Europe As A Queen Sebastian Munster 1570.jpg|thumb|200px|''Europa regina'' in [[Sebastian Münster]]'s "''[[Cosmographia (Sebastian Münster)|Cosmographia]]''".]]
Europa regina ([[Latin language|Latin]] for ''Queen Europe'') is the [[cartography|cartographic]] depiction of the European continent as a queen.<ref name=Landwehr279>Landwehr & Stockhorst (2004), p. 279</ref><ref name="Werner 2009, p. 243">Werner (2009), p. 243</ref> Introduced and made popular during the [[Mannerism|mannerist]] period, ''Europa Regina'' is the [[map]]-like depiction of the [[Europe|European continent]] as a queen.<ref name=Landwehr279/><ref name="Werner 2009, p. 243"/> Made popular in the 16th century, the map shows Europe as a young and graceful woman wearing [[imperial regalia]]. The [[Iberian Peninsula]] (''Hispania'') is the head, wearing a crown shaped like the [[Carolingian Empire|Carolingian]] [[hoop crown]]. The [[Pyrenees]], forming the neck, separate the Iberian Peninsula from [[France]] ([[Gallia]]), which makes up the upper chest. The [[Holy Roman Empire]] ([[Germania]] and other territories) is the centre of the torso, with [[Bohemia]] (sometimes [[Austria]] in early depictions) being the heart of the woman (alternatively described as a medallion at her waist). Her long gown stretches to [[Hungary]], [[Poland]], [[Lithuania]], [[Livonia]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Grand Duchy of Moscow|Muscovy]], [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] and [[Greece]]. In her arms, formed by [[Italy]] and [[Denmark]], she holds a [[sceptre]] and an [[globus cruciger|orb]] ([[Sicily]]).<ref name=Werner244/> In most depictions, [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and the [[Scandinavia]]n peninsula are partially shown,<ref name=Werner244/> as are the [[British Isles]], in schematic form.<ref name=Werner244>Werner (2009), p. 244</ref>

The first map to depict Europe in this manner was made by Johannes Bucius Aenicola (1516–1542) in 1537.<ref name=BennholdtThomsen22>Bennholdt-Thomsen (1999), p. 22</ref><ref name=Borgolte16>Borgolte (2001), p. 16</ref><ref name=Schmale244>Schmale (2004), p. 244</ref> Though much about the origination and initial perception of this map is uncertain,<ref name=Schmale244/> it is known that Putsch maintained close relations with [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]] of [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]],<ref name=Schmale244/><ref name=Wendehorst63>Wendehorst & Westphal (2006), p. 63</ref> and that the map's popularity increased significantly during the second half of the 16th century.<ref name=Schmale244/> ''Europa Regina'' was introduced in the 1530s by the Austrian cartographer Johannes Putsch, possibly with the intent of depicting Europe as the spouse of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] of [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]], who aspired to become the universal monarch of Christendom and reigned over numerous realms including the [[Holy Roman Empire]], Austrian lands, Burgundian territories, and the kingdom of [[Habsburg Spain|Spain]].<ref name=Werner244/><ref name=Wendehorst63/> Arguments in favour of this hypothesis are the westward orientation of the map to have ''Hispania'' as the crowned head, said to resemble the face of Charles V's wife, [[Isabella of Portugal]]; the use of the Holy Roman Empire's ''insignia'' – its Carolingian crown, sceptre and orb – and the portrayal of Habsburg realms (Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, Germany) as the heart and centre of the body; the design of the gown, which resembles the contemporary dress code at the Habsburg court.<ref>''Europeanness in Early Modern Latin Literature'', Isabella Walser-Bürgler, p. 60</ref><ref name=Wendehorst63/><ref name=Werner244/><ref name=Werner245>Werner (2009), p. 245</ref> As in contemporary portraits of couples, ''Europa regina'' has her head turned to her right and also holds the orb with her right hand, which has been interpreted as facing and offering power to her imaginary husband, the emperor.<ref name=Werner245/> More general, Europe is shown as the ''[[res publica christiana]]'',<ref name=Wendehorst63/> the united [[Christendom]] in medieval tradition,<ref name=Werner244/> and [[great power|great]]<ref name=Landwehr279/> or even dominant power in the world.<ref name=Werner245/>

Another allegory is the attribution of Europe as the [[paradise]] by special placement of the water bodies.<ref name=Wendehorst63/> As contemporary iconography depicted the paradise as a closed form, ''Europa regina'' is enclosed by seas and rivers.<ref name=Wendehorst63/> The [[Danube]] river is depicted in a way that it resembles the course of the biblical river flowing through the paradise, with its estuary formed by four arms.<ref name=Wendehorst63/> That ''Europa regina'' is surrounded by water is also an allusion to the mythological Europa, who was abducted by Zeus and carried over the water.<ref name=Werner245/> ''Europa regina'' belongs to the Early Modern allegory of ''Europa triumphans'', as opposed to ''Europa deplorans''.<ref>Werner (2009), pp. 243ff</ref>

==Pater Europae==
{{Further|Charlemagne}}
[[Charlemagne]] ({{langx|la|Carolus Magnus}}; [[List of Frankish kings|King of the Franks]] from 768; [[Holy Roman Emperor]] c. 742{{spaced ndash}}814), also known as Charles the Great, is considered the founder of the [[List of French monarchs|French]] and [[List of German monarchs|German]] monarchies. Known as ''Pater Europae'' («Father of Europe»),<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.karlspreis.de/preistraeger/seine_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii/ansprache_von_seiner_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii.html |title=Der Karlspreisträger Seine Heiligkeit Papst Johannes Paul II. außerordentlicher Karlspreis 2004 |publisher=Karlspreis.de |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117151907/http://www.karlspreis.de/preistraeger/seine_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii/ansprache_von_seiner_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii.html |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}</ref> he established [[Carolingian Empire|an empire]] that represented the most expansive European unification since the [[fall of the Western Roman Empire]] and brought about [[Carolingian Renaissance|a renaissance]] that formed a pan-European identity whilst marking the end of [[Early Middle Ages|Late Antiquity]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Riché, Preface xviii, Pierre Riché reflects: "[H]e enjoyed an exceptional destiny, and by the length of his reign, by his conquests, legislation and legendary stature, he also profoundly marked the history of Western Europe."</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/santiago/histchrl.html|title=Home – Humanities Division – UCLA|website=Humanities Division – UCLA}}</ref> There was also a contemporary intellectual and cultural revival which profoundly marked the history of Western Europe. This gave Charlemagne a legendary standing that transcended his military accomplishments.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.karlspreis.de/preistraeger/seine_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii/ansprache_von_seiner_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii.html |title=karlspreis.de |publisher=karlspreis.de |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117151907/http://www.karlspreis.de/preistraeger/seine_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii/ansprache_von_seiner_heiligkeit_papst_johannes_paul_ii.html |archive-date=17 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>Chamberlin, Russell, ''The Emperor Charlemagne'', p. ???</ref>

[[File:Aachen Domschatz Bueste1.jpg|thumb|upright|Reliquary, golden bust of Charlemagne wearing the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire in [[Aachen Cathedral]], with the German [[reichsadler]] embossed on the metal and the French [[fleur-de-lis]] embroidered on the fabric]]

For many centuries, European royal houses sought to associate themselves with the Carolingian heritage. The crowns of the [[Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Empire]] and [[Crown of Napoleon|Napoleon Bonaparte]] were for instance both respectively named "The Crown of Charlemagne", and Charlemagne's personal sword, ''[[Joyeuse]]'', served as a coronation sword for French kings from the 11th century onwards.<ref>[http://www.louvre.fr/llv/oeuvres/detail_notice.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226044&CURRENT_LLV_NOTICE%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673226044&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723696500909&bmLocale=en Coronation sword and scabbard of the Kings of France], Decorative Arts : Early Middle Ages, Louvre</ref> The cult of Charlemagne was further embellished by the French renaissance author [[Jean Lemaire de Belges]], who postulated that the emperor was part of an illustrious ''[[translatio imperii]]'' originating with King [[Priam]] of [[Troy]] during the [[Trojan Wars]], and thus by extension [[Zeus]], the "Father of Gods and men" in [[Greek Mythology]].

Today, much of the pan-European, symbolic value of Charlemagne is attributed to the fact that he is considered an embodiment of the Franco-German friendship which was absent during [[French–German enmity|the long-lasting enmity]] which culminated in the two world wars, but has become indispensable in the process of [[European integration]]. Thus, in the 1952 design competition for the Council of Europe's flag, several of the unsuccessful proposals were redolent of the ''[[Oriflamme]]''; the banner given to Charlemagne by [[Pope Leo III]] at his coronation in the [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in the year 800.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/proposals_for_european_flags_from_arsene_heitz_1952_1955-en-3c8f111a-6be6-4111-a433-20f1a7f9fdba.html |title=Proposals for European flags from Arsène Heitz (1952–1955) |date=8 November 2011 |publisher=cvce.eu |access-date=2013-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/proposals_for_european_flags_from_arsene_heitz_1952_1955-en-3c8f111a-6be6-4111-a433-20f1a7f9fdba.html |title=Proposals for European flags from Arsène Heitz (1952–1955) |publisher=cvce.eu |date=5 January 1952 |access-date=2013-08-06}}</ref> Similarities between Charlemagne's empire and the modern European integration were also suggested by professor Hans von Hentig the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cvce.eu/obj/charlemagne_and_coke_from_the_frankfurter_allgemeine_zeitung_5_january_1952-en-7dc178c9-ddfd-416d-8106-b14229d2d59d.html |title='Charlemagne and coke' from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (5 January 1952) |publisher=cvce.eu |access-date=2013-08-06}}</ref> The [[European Commission]] is also alluding to Charlemagne by means of naming one of its central buildings in Brussels after him (The [[Charlemagne building]]). The German city of [[Aachen]] has since 1949 annually awarded the [[Charlemagne Prize]] to champions of European unity, including [[Alcide De Gasperi]], [[Jean Monnet]] and the [[euro]] itself. Each edition of the international affairs newspaper ''[[The Economist]]'' features a column called «Charlemagne's notebook», focusing on European Union affairs.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne «Must try harder»]. ''The Economist''.</ref> In his speech at the award ceremony for the 2010 [[European Charlemagne Youth Prize|Charlemagne Youth Prize]], [[President of the European Parliament|European Parliament President]] [[Jerzy Buzek]] said the following:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/view/en/press/speeches/sp-2010/sp-2010-May/speeches-2010-May-7.html |title=europarl.europa.eu |publisher=europarl.europa.eu |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=2012-01-01}}</ref>
{{cquote|Imagine, if you will, the age of Charlemagne, twelve hundred years ago. Already then, he had a vision of a united Europe. Just think how many wars there have been since then and how much European blood has been spilled. We were devoured by hatred. We were in the grip of our emotions. We were unable to think in common. People had a vision of a united Europe then, but did not achieve it. We must remember, my dear young friends, always to keep this vision in mind.}}

Later monarchs who also have carried [[sobriquet]]s as "relatives" of Europe include [[Queen Victoria]] of the United Kingdom (''[[grandmother of Europe]]''), [[Christian IX of Denmark]] and [[Nicholas I of Montenegro]] (both respectively ''[[father-in-law of Europe]]''). These late 19th and early 20th century sobriquets are however purely on account of the marriage of these monarchs' offspring to foreign princes and princesses, and involve no wider symbolism.

==Patron saints==
The [[Roman Catholic Church]] venerates six saints as "[[patron saints|patrons of Europe]]". [[Benedict of Nursia]] had been declared "Patron saint of all Europe" by [[Pope Paul VI]] in 1964.<ref>Johan Fornäs, ''Signifyingo Europe'' (2012), [https://books.google.com/books?id=PG73B_1Xha4C&pg=PA256 p. 255f].</ref>
[[Pope John Paul II]] named between 1980 and 1999 Ss. [[Cyril and Methodius]], [[Bridget of Sweden]], [[Catherine of Siena]] and [[Edith Stein|Teresa Benedicta of the Cross]] as co-patrons.<ref name="Egregiae Virtutis">{{cite web | title =Egregiae Virtutis | url =https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_31121980_egregiae-virtutis_lt.html | access-date =26 April 2009 | url-status =live | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090104182217/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_31121980_egregiae-virtutis_lt.html | archive-date =4 January 2009 }} [[Ecclesiastical letter#Letters of the popes in modern times|Apostolic letter]] of [[Pope John Paul II]], 31 December 1980 {{in lang|la}}</ref><ref>Johan Fornäs, ''Signifyingo Europe'' (2012), [https://books.google.com/books?id=PG73B_1Xha4C&pg=PA256 p. 255f].</ref>

==Flag==
{{main|Flag of Europe}}
[[File:Flag of Europe.svg|thumb|right|Flag of Europe]]
A "Flag of Europe" was introduced by the [[Council of Europe]] in 1955, originally intended as a "symbol for the whole of Europe",<ref>[http://www.coe.int/en/web/about-us/the-european-flag The European flag], Council of Europe. Retrieved 27 October 2016.</ref> 
but due to its adoption by the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC) in 1985, and hence by the [[European Union]] (EU) as the successor organisation of the EEC, the flag is now strongly associated with the European Union so that it no longer serves the function of representing "Europe as a whole" at least since the early 2000s. 
The flag has notably been used by pro-EU protestors in the [[colour revolutions]] of the 2000s, e.g., in [[Belarus]] in 2004<ref>{{citation|last=Mite|title=Belarus: Scores Arrested, Opposition Leader Hospitalized After Minsk Protests|date=20 October 2004|publisher=rferl.org|url=http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/10/340afaf0-ebf7-4a03-8a25-ebda21070598.html|access-date=5 August 2007}})</ref> by the pro-EU faction in the [[Euromaidan]] riots in Ukraine in 2013, and by the [[List of campaign organisations supporting Remain in the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|pro-EU faction]] in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|Brexit campaigns]] of 2016.

===Pan-European flags adopted before 1955===
{{Further|Flag of the European Coal and Steel Community|Flag of the Western European Union}}

[[File:Europa Congres Ridderzaal Den Haag. Overzicht, Bestanddeelnr 902-7379.jpg|thumb|[[Federalist flag]] displayed at the 1948 [[Congress of Europe]] in the [[Ridderzaal|Hall of Knights]] in [[The Hague]]]]
[[File:Western Union Standard.jpg|thumb|[[Flag of the Western Union|Western Union Standard]] displayed in 1949]]

Prior to development of political institutions, flags representing Europe were limited to unification movements. The most popular were the [[European Movement]]'s [[Federalist flag|large green 'E' on a white background]], and the "Pan European flag"  of the [[Paneuropean Union]] (1922).<ref name="ENA page">{{Citation|title=The European flag: questions and answers |editor=CVCE |url=http://www.cvce.eu/education/unit-content/-/unit/eeacde09-add1-4ba1-ba5b-dcd2597a81d0/2b4e569f-9aa3-48dd-b877-13d0d5f1d177/Resources#39d51e24-2e68-4497-b81e-7a08e09ee0d7_en&overlay |access-date=25 June 2014}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed>
Former Flag of the International Paneuropean Union.svg|The original flag of the [[Paneuropean Union]] (1922)
File:Old flag of the European Movement.svg|The original [[Federalist flag]] of the [[European Movement]] 
File:Flag of the Western Union.svg| [[Flag of the Western Union]] (1949–1954)
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Europe}}

*[[Brand EU]]
*[[Captain Euro]]
*[[CE marking]]
*[[Charlemagne Prize]]
*[[Estimated sign]]
*[[Father-in-law of Europe]]
*[[Founding fathers of the European Union]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Symbols of Europe}}
* [http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/index_en.htm The symbols of the EU] – [[Europa (web portal)|Europa]]
** [http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/emblem/index_en.htm The European flag]
** [http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/anthem/index_en.htm The European anthem]
** [http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/index_en.htm Europe Day, 9 May]
** [http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/motto/index_en.htm United in diversity]
* [http://www.coe.int/T/E/Com/About_Coe/flag.asp Council of Europe Logo and the European Flag] – Council of Europe
* [http://www.cvce.eu/obj/resolution_55_32_of_the_committee_of_ministers_of_the_council_of_europe_8_december_1955-en-cbb0826e-81ea-4209-8bfa-0a644c0817de.html Why the European flag has been chosen: Resolution (55) 32 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (8 December 1955)] – CVCE (Previously [[European NAvigator]])
* [http://www.coe.int/t/e/multimedia/sound/hymne.asp The European Anthem and downloads] – Council of Europe
* [http://www.cvce.eu/obj/european_anthem-en-4b6e5671-a0fc-45fa-8368-f84e4817dc14.html European anthem] – CVCE (Previously [[European NAvigator]])
* [http://www.cvce.eu/obj/9_may_europe_day_2005-en-b1715ded-1051-428a-bbd2-b4c8a5a36e7c.html European commission poster] – CVCE (Previously [[European NAvigator]])
* [http://www.eena.org/ The European emergency number 112] – European Emergency Number Association (EENA)
* [http://www.112.eu/ The European emergency number 112] – European Commission
* [http://www.europesname.eu/ Europe's name] – A website on illustrations of Europa in relation to the Continent
* [http://www.angeloti.info/pdfs/ioana_prisacariu_master_thesis.pdf The Symbol's Role in the Creation of a European Identity] – A dissertation paper.

{{Europe topic|Symbols of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Symbols of Europe}}
[[Category:Symbols of Europe| ]]