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Romania, flag law from 1968

Last modified: 2013-11-24 by alex danes
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About the flag law of 1968

The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Romania established, on chapter VIII, the symbols of the state: the coat of arms, the seal, the flag and the anthem. However there wasn't any clear law to detail further the provisions of the Constitution, which led to incorrect or various interpretations.

Decree nr. 972 from 5 November 1968 regarding the symbols of the Socialist Republic of Romania described in full detail the mode and place of displaying the flag and coat of arms, and gave their model and colors in annex nr. 1 and 2, also shown here.

The decree was abrogated by Decree-Law nr. 149 from 11 May 1990.
Alex Danes, 10 October 2008


Law text

Decree nr. 972 from 5 November 1968 regarding the symbols of the Socialist Republic of Romania

The text of this act has been published in Buletinul Oficial al Republicii Socialiste România no. 141 of November 5th, 1968.

The State Council of the Socialist Republic of Romania decrees:

CHAPTER 1
The symbols of the Socialist Republic of Romania

ARTICLE 1 - The symbols of the Socialist Republic of Romania are:
a) The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania;
b) The seal of the state;
c) The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania;
d) The state anthem of the Socialist Republic of Romania.
ARTICLE 2 - The symbols of the Socialist Republic of Romania represent the Romanian socialist state, sovereign, independent and unitary.

CHAPTER 2
The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania

[Arms of 1965] by Alex Danes

ARTICLE 3 - The model of the coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania, its colors and their nuance, and the inscription style of the name of the country on the tricolor ribbon are shown in annex nr. 1 of the current decree (see above).

ARTICLE 4 - The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania can be made of plastics, textiles, wood, metal and can be reproduced in black and white or in colors, as needed, by printing it on different materials.

ARTICLE 5 - The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania will be displayed in the buildings of the state authorities, institutions, industries and organizations, of the co-operative organizations and other public organizations, of the diplomatic missions, consulates and trade representations of the Socialist Republic of Romania in other countries, as well as in the saloon of all ships displaying the Romanian ensign.

ARTICLE 6 - The coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania will be reproduced on seals of the state socialist organizations stipulated by laws, on decrees and resolutions of the Council of Ministers, on their printed works and building plaques, on banknotes and any other monetary marks issued in the Socialist Republic of Romania, and on the emblems and some accessories of the military uniforms, established by law.

[...]

CHAPTER 4
The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania

[Flag of 1965] by Alex Danes

ARTICLE 10 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania has the colors red, yellow and blue, positioned vertically with blue near the hoist. In the middle is placed the coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Romania.

ARTICLE 11 - The model of the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania and the nuance of its colors are the ones found in annex nr. 2 of the current decree (see above).

ARTICLE 12 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania has a rectangular shape. The width of the flag measures 2/3 of its length, and the dimensions of the red, yellow and blue stripes are the same. The coat of arms is placed on the yellow stripe, in the middle of the flag. The height of the coat of arms measures 2/5 of the flag's width.
When the flag is used for adorning, the proportion between the length and width of the flag can be different, according to conditions.
In that case, the coat of arms will be placed in the middle of the yellow stripe so that the inscription will stand horizontally.

ARTICLE 13 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is displayed:
1. Permanently:
a) on the buildings where are the seats of the Grand National Assembly, the State Council and the Council of Ministers;
b) on the buildings of the customs;
c) as ensign - on stern - indicating the nationality of the ships, on the [civil] ships and merchant vessels of the Socialist Republic of Romania, according to regulations in force;
d) on the airplanes of the civil aviation of the Socialist Republic of Romania;
e) on the ships of the Navy, besides the military ensigns, according to military regulations.
2. Temporary:
a) on the buildings, other than the normal seat, where there Grand National Assembly holds its sessions;
b) on the buildings where local councils hold their sessions, during the sessions;
c) on the buildings of the state authorities, institutions, industries and organizations, of the co-operative organizations and other public organizations, during the national holidays: 1 May, 23 August and 30 December;
d) on top of the bow mast of the ships which are visited by authorities such as the President of the State Council, the President of the Council of Ministers, the President of the Grand National Assembly or other representatives of these bodies, if they consent;
e) on stadiums, racetracks and other sports grounds, when there are held national championships and international sport competitions;
f) in the airports, railway stations, ports and on the streets, when the Socialist Republic of Romania is visited by foreign heads of state or governments, or any other officials, on reciprocity conditions and with the approval of the Council of Ministers;
g) on dwellings and streets, on the days mentioned at point 2, paragraph c;
h) on the occasion of public demonstrations of the working people;
i) on other conditions, established by the Council of Ministers
ARTICLE 14 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania can be hoisted on the seats of the diplomatic missions and consulates of the Socialist Republic of Romania, as well as on the residence of the chiefs of the diplomatic missions and consulates, and on their cars, as standard, according to the regulations established by the Ministry of External Affairs and in accordance with international diplomatic customs and the customs of the resident countries.

ARTICLE 15 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania can be hoisted by socialist organizations, on days of ceremonies or other solemnities, on the buildings or locations of the respective event.

ARTICLE 16 - With the approval of the Council of Ministers, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania can be lowered at half mast, on the death of an official which gets a national funeral, in the places mentioned at article 13, point 1, paragraphs a-e and point 2, paragraph a-d and article 14.

ARTICLE 17 - The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania on top of the seat of the State Council is to be lowered at half mast on the death of a head of state which has diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Romania.
In this case, with the approval of the Council of Ministers, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is to be be lowered at half mast on the buildings of the state authorities, institutions, industries and organizations, of the co-operative organizations and other public organizations.
The flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is to be lowered at half mast on the seats of the State Council and the Minister of External Affairs, on the death of an accredited chief of diplomatic mission, on the day of his funeral or on the day in which the deceased is transported back to his country.
On the death of a charge d'affaires, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is to be lowered at half mast on the seat of the Minister of External Affairs, on the day of his funeral or on the day in which the deceased is transported back to his country.

ARTICLE 18 - If there are no means of lowering the flag at half mast, or when the flag is carried in a funeral, the mourning is to be symbolized by a black ribbon tied on top of the rod. The length of the ribbon will be equal to the width of the flag.

ARTICLE 19 - The coffin of the persons which have a national funeral is to be wrapped up with the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania. In this case, the blue color is to be put towards the head of the deceased, so that the coat of arms is standing in the middle and on top of the coffin.

ARTICLE 20 - On holidays mentioned at article 13, point 2, paragraph c, the flag is not to be lowered at half mast.

ARTICLE 21 - Wherever the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is accompanied by one or more foreign state flags, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is always to be put in the place of honor.
When the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is displayed along with another foreign flag, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is to be placed to the left, and the foreign flag to the right, as seen from the front.
When the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is displayed along with several foreign flags, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is always to be placed in the middle. When the number of the flags is even, the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania is to be placed to the left of the flag together which it forms the middle of the flags group, as seen from the front.

[...]
Alex Danes, 10 October 2008