Rainbow flag Alliance (ICA) designed an international co-op symbol and a flag for the first "Co-operators' Day," which was held in July 1923. After some experiments with different designs, a famous French cooperator, Professor Charles Gide, suggested using the seven colours of the rainbow for the flag. He pointed out that the rainbow symbolized unity in diversity and the power of light, enlightenment and progress. The first co-op rainbow flag was completed in 1924 and was adopted as an official symbol of the international cooperative movement in 1925. In 2001, the ICA's official flag was changed from a rainbow flag to a
With flying colours the nautical allusion, and are phrases to express persistence or stubbornness. ""Sailing under false colours"", staying consistent with its nautical origin, is another way to express deception, or to mislead or mystify. With flying colours "With flying colours" is a popular idiom of the English language. The phrase's origins relate to ship flags. Ships serve scientific and cultural needs, as well as the transportation of goods, and resolving political and national conflict. In the past, without the use of modern communication devices, a ship's appearance upon the immediate return to the port could communicate how the crew fared at sea.