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:
“In European thought in general, as contrasted with American, vigor, life and originality have a kind of easy, professional utterance. American—on the other hand, is expressed in an eager amateurish way. A European gives a sense of scope, of survey, of consideration. An American is strained, sensational. One is artistic gold; the other is bullion.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be “the Union as it was.””
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)