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1、M9U3ReadingNational flags, colours and culturesToday, every independent country has a flag that gives it a unique identity. These flags are more than just pieces of cloth sewn together at random with thread. A flag tells us something about the country it represents, such as its values, beliefs and c
2、ulture. FranceThe French flag was first used in 1789, at the start of the French Revolution. Before the Revolution, there had been great unrest in France because people had no freedom and were suffering from hunger. The French Revolution led to fundamental changes throughout the country. Many of the
3、 past ways were abolished, and the people won liberation. Strengthened by the Revolution, France became a different country. The colours red, blue and white used on the flag remind us of the motto of the Revolutionliberty, equality and fraternity. Red symbolizes the bravery, revolution, strength and
4、 blood of the French, which were all needed to change the country. Blue stands for liberty and justice, while white represents peace and honesty. Today, France is still guide by those principles. In salute to the French and their revolution, many countries have chosen to use the same colours on thei
5、r flags as the French did. In this way, the French flag has become one of the most important national flags in history. The USAThe USA was also born from revolution, and its flag, the Stars and Stripes, is a symbol of this. The USA was originally made up of settlers from Britain and other countries,
6、 organized into thirteen British colonies. Even though they lived in colonies, the Americans had been used to autonomous rule and low taxes. However, after the French and Indian War, the British raised the tax rates in America to a high level in order to pay for the conflict. When the Americans obje
7、cted to this, the British would not compromise, but increased control over their Americans objected to this, the British would not compromise, but increased control over their American colonies instead, taking away many of their rights, and stationing soldiers there in order to make sure that the Am
8、ericans would obey them. At this, the Americans demanded separation from Britain, and on 4 July 1776, they declared that they would no longer submit to British rule. This led to war, and to America gaining its independence. The colours red, white and blue, along with the stars and stripes on the Ame
9、rican flag, all represent different things. Red represents strength and bravery, white means virtue, and blue stands for hard work and justice. There are fifty stars on the flag, one for each state, representing the union of fifty states into one country in a federal system. The thirteen stripes are
10、 to remind people of the thirteen colonies that joined together to fight for independence from Britain. Each year on 4 July, the USA celebrates Independence Day, when the Stars and Stripes can be seen all over the country, lit by fireworks in the night sky. IndonesiaThe Indonesian flag became offici
11、al on 17 August 1945, immediately after the end of World War II. The flag, which is made up of a red band over a white one, is based on a national flag dating back to the 13th century, which had nine red and white stripes. There are many explanations offered for the meanings of the colours on the In
12、donesian flag. The most common one is that red stands for blood, or things that are physical, while white represents the spiritual. Another suggestion is that the colours have a link with food. For the Indonesians, red resembles the colour of sugar (because of the plant that it comes from) and white
13、 looks like rice. Both sugar and rice are consumed daily in Indonesian food. Other people say that the colour red on the Indonesian flag stands for the brave nature of the Indonesian people. It can also represent the fire that comes from Indonesias volcanoes. Like in many other countries, the colour
14、 white is regarded as a symbol of purity in Indonesia.Each of the colours on a countrys flag was carefully chosen to represent something about the country or the people loving there. Therefore, when we look at a flag, we can begin to see and study a countrys history and culture. It is also a good pl
15、ace to see some similarities and differences between different countries. ProjectRoses are red, violets are blue, but which of the two colours really suits you?Have you ever thought about why you like certain colours but not others? Our choices are almost never arbitrary, and usually quite subjectiv
16、e. Colour is a medium for expressing different feelings, but the meaning of colour is not consistent across different cultures. The same colour can have a good meaning in one society, while in another, a bad meaning. Lets take a look at red. Red is the colour of heat and passion. In some cultures, red is a symbol of joy and celebration and is associated with happy things. For example, in China, it is the colour of happiness and good luck. Due to
