Flag of Greece the exact pattern: white cross on blue (plain) for the land flag; nine alternate-coloured stripes with the white cross on a blue field in the canton for the naval ensign; and blue with a blue cross on a white field in the canton for the civil ensign (merchant flag). On 30 June 1828, by decree of the Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias, the civil ensign was discontinued, and the cross-and-stripes naval ensign became the national ensign, worn by both naval and merchant ships. This design became immediately very popular with Greeks and in practice was often used simultaneously with the national (plain
Flag of Zakynthos colour as the central image. The flag flies throughout the island and is flown above every public building, often in tandem with the national flag of Greece. Flag of Zakynthos The flag of Zakynthos, Greece, or Flag of Zante, has a dark green background with an orange depiction of Zakynthos, the mytho-historical first resident of the island and its namesake, in the centre. Zakynthos, partially draped in a robe, is sitting on rock holding a semi-coiled snake to the right. Zakynthos (ΖΑΚΥΝΘΟΣ) is written to the upper right of the man, with the island's motto ""Freedom needs virtue and courage""