The European Flag
Adopted by the Council of Europe on 8 December 1955, the blue flag with 12 stars became, in the course of an official ceremony in Brussels on 26 May 1986, the flag of the European Union.
The flag, created from very strict guidelines, has the 12 stars arranged in a circle, set against a background of sky blue. The 12 stars will remain on the flag, no matter how many countries join the European Union. This unchanging number symbolizes perfection and plenitude.
To further enhance Europe's symbolic image, the buildings of EU agencies will be decorated in Europe's representative colours on 9 May, when Europe Day is celebrated.
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The European Anthem
Although the European flag is well known, the same cannot be said for the anthem representing the European Union concept.
The theme to the Ode to Joy, first heard as the prelude to the last movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, was recognized by the European Council in Milan on 28-29 June 1985, as the anthem of the European Union. In this context, it also is an ode to freedom, to a sense of community and to peace among the citizens of the 27 countries that have decided to unite and to the others who freely decide to join them.
This anthem is played at European events. To make this second European symbol known, many orchestras play the Ode to Joy on Europe Day.
