European Union
Further information: Flag of EuropeSince the circle of twelve stars was chosen as the flag of the European Union, it has been suggested that the motif was chosen, deliberately or subconsciously, as a representation of, or reference to, Mary, something which could be potentially offensive to the significant Protestant, Muslim, atheist, and Jewish populations of the EU. The European Union has always denied this; many other flags show similar circles of stars. All the same, flag designer Arsène Heitz has acknowledged that the Book of Revelation, which, in turn, is the source for the mentioned twelve-star halo of the Virgin Mary, did help to inspire him.
Read more about this topic: Circle Of Stars
Famous quotes containing the words european and/or union:
“If Germany, thanks to Hitler and his successors, were to enslave the European nations and destroy most of the treasures of their past, future historians would certainly pronounce that she had civilized Europe.”
—Simone Weil (1909–1943)
“We are constantly thinking of the great war ... which saved the Union ... but it was a war that did a great deal more than that. It created in this country what had never existed before—a national consciousness. It was not the salvation of the Union, it was the rebirth of the Union.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)