Badly Drawn Flags Trivia Quiz

Answer: Georgia

Known as the "five cross flag", the Georgian flag was adopted in 2004 following the Rose Revolution, which ended in 2003. Though not definitive, it has been suggested that the large red cross in the centre of the flag, along with the four smaller Bolnisi crosses, may symbolise the Five Holy Wounds, or Christ and the Four Evangelists.

Answer: Lesotho

The black mokorotlo in the centre of the flag of Lesotho is a traditional straw hat worn by the Basotho people. In earlier flags, the hat was white, but its colour was changed to black in 2006 to show that Lesotho is a predominantly black nation. The prominent white background in the centre of the flag represents peace.

Answer: Canada

The maple leaf has been a symbol of Canada since the 18th century. Following the uniting of the Canadian colonies in 1867, Canada had (most often) used the Union Flag and other ensigns granted to it as its flags. By the 1960s, however, many believed that it should have its own flag.

The bitter divide in Canada's house of commons that ensued over the design and adoption of a flag is known as the "Great Canadian Flag Debate". Eventually, the "Maple Leaf Flag" was adopted in 1964.

Answer: Cyprus

Cyprus has a long history of tension between its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and, as a result, chose peaceful olive branches and an outline of the entire unified island to feature on its flag when it was declared an independent nation.

In order to prevent any further tensions, Cyprus' constitution requires that its flag shall not include red or blue, or feature crosses or crescents as each of these feature on the Greek and/or Turkish flags and could denote favouritism to one side.

Answer: Israel

Israel's flag was originally designed for the Zionist movement (supporters of the idea that a Jewish homeland should be re-established in the "Land of Israel") in the mid-19th century. The blue stripes represent the stripes on a tallit (a Jewish prayer shawl) and the Star of David is a widely known symbol of Judaism.

The flag also has white bars on the top and bottom, which this "badly drawn" version doesn't really show.

Answer: Argentina

The sun is called the "Sun of May" and it is a replica of an engraving on the first Argentine coin. Many people believe that the blue stripes represent the sea and sky, but others believe that the colour scheme was chosen to show loyalty to the House of Bourbon following the Argentine War of Independence.

Answer: Kenya

The base for the Kenyan flag is that of the political party that fought for its independence; the Kenya African National Union. The shield and spears are of a Maasai design and symbolise defence. The black stripe symbolises the people of Kenya, while the red symbolises their bloodshed during their fight for independence.

Answer: Lebanon

Lebanon's mountains are full of cedar trees and so the tree was chosen as a symbol for the country's flag. It symbolises eternity, peace and longevity, but it is also holy as it is referenced numerous times in the Bible. The white stripe in which the cedar sits symbolises the snow in the Lebanese mountains, while the red stripes symbolise the blood shed required for the country's independence.

Answer: Uganda

Uganda was under British rule until the 1960s but historically it has been made up of many kingdoms. During British rule, the British ensign was generally used, but as one Ugandan kingdom preferred its own flag, the British added a crane to the ensign in order to prevent allegations of favouritism.

When Uganda gained its independence, the crane was adopted again. The grey crowned crane's raised leg symbolises forward movement for Uganda.

Answer: Mozambique

Mozambique is not the only country to feature a firearm on its flag, but it is the only one to superimpose it over a book and a hoe, suggesting that defence is as important as education and agriculture. Behind these symbols sits a star, which symbolises Marxism, as between 1970 and 1995 the country was a Marxist-Leninist one party state.

Although it has since become a capitalist democracy, the star remains on the flag.