The European Flag was adopted by the European Commission in 1986 as the official symbol of the European Union. It has 12 five-pointed gold stars on dark blue background. All stars are pointing upwards. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States.

The number 12 in a circle symbolizes harmony and perfection, similar to the way we count months or hours. The dark blue colour is often referred to as the western evening sky of the Occident, symbolizing European culture. The use of the European Flag as a general symbol for the process of European integration is also very common. The EU uses the ”Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as its official anthem (like the flag is was borrowed from the Council of Europe), and other symbols such as annual awards of European prizes, European signs in place of the customs signs at internal frontiers, the European passport, the uniform driving licence and Europe Day on 9 May.