Flag of Gylias
 | |
| Name | Four-pointed sun |
|---|---|
| Use | National flag  |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 15 September 1959 |
| Design | A golden sun in splendour in the centre of a white rectangular field |
| Designed by | Elne Maréy |
The flag of Gylias is a rectangular white banner with a stylised sun in its centre. The sun is depicted with four longer intertwined rays, corresponding to the cardinal directions. The flag deliberately uses neutral symbols in order to represent all Gylians without preference towards a particular group.
History
The flag was designed by Elne Maréy, and was chosen through a national contest to adopt national symbols, which also yielded the national anthem. Elne believed that "the sun is the most neutral symbol you could think of". The four longer rays initially came from a mistake during drawing, and were turned into a distinctive design evoking the compass rose.
Elne's design was adopted as a national flag through the Law on National Symbols of 1959, being also used to create a seal. It had gained widespread acceptance during and after its adoption, and remains a popular symbol of Gylias, commonly referred to as the "four-pointed sun" (French: soleil à quatre branches). Other nicknames include "compass sun" (boussoleil), "golden sun" (soleil doré), and "sunny" (l'ensoleillé).
Use
There is no official protocol regarding the display of the flag, nor any requirements to fly it on public holidays or other special events. There are no laws against destroying, damaging, mutilating, or vandalising the flag.
The flag is flown in several public locations, although notably not at any government or legislative seat, due to the Constitution's provision that the state shall eventually cease to exist. The flag is also not allowed to be used inside the school system. The display and flying of the flag does not have any political associations — as the flag represents Gylians as a whole and not the state —, and it is displayed at some homes and businesses, as well as waved by some individuals at sports matches.
The four-pointed sun is commonly used in the logos of government ministries, administrative agencies and public organisations, together with the flag's gold and white colour scheme.
