White flag

A white flag is an international sign of either surrender, or truce, that is, of peaceful intent, typically in time of war. Soldiers carrying or waving a white flag are not to be fired upon, nor are they allowed to open fire. A white flag signifies to all that an approaching negotiator is unarmed, and an intent to surrender or a desire to communicate.

Related Topics:
Surrender - Truce - Peaceful - War

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Persons carrying a white flag are expected to maintain neutrality, and may not engage in warlike acts. Legend states that Viking Erik the Red started this tradition by using white shields as a means of surrender. The improper use of a white flag is forbidden by the rules of war and constitutes a war crime of perfidy. There were several reports of insurgent fighters using white flags as a ruse to approach and attack U.S. and Coalition forces during the early days of 2003 Invasion of Iraq in early 2003.

Related Topics:
Erik the Red - Rules of war - War crime - Perfidy - Insurgent - U.S. - Coalition - 2003 Invasion of Iraq - 2003

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The royal standard of France was once a plain white flag (to which a fleur-de-lys was later added, and which was replaced by the Tricolor). In Buddhist countries, white is the colour of mourning, so a white flag is used where other cultures might fly a black flag.

Related Topics:
France - Fleur-de-lys - Tricolor - Buddhist - Black flag

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