Flag of Kent facts for kids
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| Names | Invicta Flag, Invicta Flag of Kent |
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| Proportion | 3:5 |
| Adopted | 1605 |
| Design | Gules, a horse rampant argent |
| Designed by | Traditional |
Variant flag of Kent
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| Use | Variant design |
The Flag of Kent is the official flag of Kent, a county in England. It shows a white horse on a bright red background. This design is very old and appears on many other symbols and logos related to Kent. People sometimes call it the Invicta Flag because of Kent's motto, Invicta, which means "unconquered."
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The Kent Flag: A Symbol of History
The Flag of Kent is more than just a piece of cloth. It tells a story about the county's long history. This flag is a strong symbol of Kent's identity and heritage. It is often seen flying at local events and on buildings throughout the county.
What Does the Flag Look Like?
The flag has a simple but powerful design. It features a white horse standing on its back legs, called a "rampant" horse. This horse is placed on a plain red background. The red color is known as "Gules" in the language of heraldry, which is the study of coats of arms and flags.
The white horse is a very important symbol for Kent. You can see it on many other things, like the coats of arms of local councils and various Kent-related logos. This shows how deeply rooted the symbol is in the county's history.
The White Horse of Kent: A Legend
The story behind the white horse goes back a very long time. It is believed to be linked to Hengest and Horsa, two legendary brothers. They were Jutes, a Germanic people, who supposedly came to Britain in the year 449. Legend says they founded the ancient Kingdom of Kent. Horsa is especially connected to the horse symbol.
The first time this flag design was written about was in 1605. This shows that the symbol has been recognized for centuries. It connects modern Kent to its ancient beginnings and legendary founders.
How the Flag Became Official
The Flag Institute, an organization that keeps track of flags in the UK, officially recognizes the Kent flag. They note that it is the traditional flag of Kent. Its design is based on the traditional arms of Kent. These arms were used by the Justices of Kent for many years.
The arms were officially given to the Kent County Council on October 17, 1933. They were confirmed again in 1975. The Flag Institute accepted the flag as the official flag of the historic county because it had been used traditionally for so long. This means the flag represents Kent's long and proud past.
