25 March 2020
The members of Heraldica Slovenica, the Heraldry Society of Slovenia, welcome the initiative to express the support to heroic medical workers by flying a certain flag – the white flag. We have seen the initiative endorsed even by the Royal palace and other buildings in Belgium, where white flags have been raised.
However, the modern vexillology already acknowledges the existing powerful symbol of the white flag; an interpretation that has sprung deep roots into our collective symbolism. The white flag generally stands for surrender, a decision to quit or a plea to negotiate. We hold a firm belief that medical workers put their enormous effort in the opposite direction – they are not surrendering, they are not quitting and they do not want to negotiate with the disease.
From this perspective, Heraldica Slovenica took the current initiative and added a symbolic representation of hope that unites all people: the victory of health care over the epidemic. The existing white field was overlaid by the symbol of healthcare workers and medicine (the Rod of Asclepius) rising over the defeated and overturned crown (Lat. corona).
Department of Infectious Disease and Febrile Conditions of Celje General Hospital, recently renamed COVID Department. Photo: Andrej Strahovnik, 2 April 2020.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia supported the initiative. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 April 2020.
