The flag of Cyprus features a white background with a copper-colored silhouette of the island in the center. The island is surrounded by two olive branches, which cross underneath it at the bottom. The copper-colored silhouette represents the country’s history of copper mining, while the olive branches represent peace. The white background symbolizes purity, peace, and neutrality. The flag was designed by Turkish Cypriot artist Ismet Güney and was adopted on August 16, 1960, when Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom.