The flag of Cyprus is white with a copper-coloured silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) in the centre. Two green crossed olive branches, representing the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities lie underneath the silhouette.
The flag was adopted at independence in 1960, as the result of a design competition. The winner was a Turkish Cypriot painter whose design was chosen by Makarios III, the President of the Republic.
