Why is the Comapnion Flag white?

A white flag with a single band of color across the top was chosen to harmonize, if possible, and in all events, to avoid clashing with, or overshadowing, the other flags of the world. This is a "companion flag"; it is meant to be flown with the other flags of the world, on the same pole.

The Companion Flag's top stripe, matching a color appearing in the host flag, underscores the need to embrace simultaneously our differences and our sameness, avoiding the tendency to believe that one is "more real" or "more pertinent" than the other. We are challenged to get our minds around this paradox: that all of us are—at all times, and under all circumstances—both different and the same, no matter how passionate we may feel about our particular differences, affiliations, or causes, or about our sameness, and no matter what choices or actions we or others may endorse. It is a paradox, to be sure, but one which can be held gently and fully in the mind. Compassion is rooted in an active, sustainable awareness of all that we have in common, notwithstanding our difference; by adding a symbol of all that we have in common to our existing symbols of diversity, separation, and affiliation, we will nourish daily an awareness of our essential sameness—the ground of human compassion—without denying our differences.

Indeed, the large white field below the stripe represents everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences. May it also be seen as a blank page upon which our children and grandchildren, and all generations after them, will write a brighter and more compassionate future for themselves, for the earth, and all its inhabitants!

This writer understands that "white" has, in our time, taken on various meanings and connotations around the world. Caucasians are often labeled "whites," especially when compared to the darker-skinned peoples of the earth, many of whom are labeled "blacks," "reds," "yellows," etc. White is also the traditional color of death and mourning in several Asiatic societies. Perhaps it is inevitable, then, that some will try to "read" these and other popular connotations into the choice of a white Companion Flag. But this won’t work. Why not? Because what the Companion Flag stands for is as immutable as it is precise: everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences.

The Companion Flag cannot symbolize "white" people to the exclusion of others because the experience of being white is not shared by all human beings. Similarly, it can’t be seen to symbolize death and mourning to the exclusion of other aspects of human life because the belief that white stands for death and mourning is not a belief held in common by all human beings.

There is some historical precedent for the use of white flags. In 1863, an international conference at Geneva agreed that those who care for the sick and wounded during wartime should be regarded as neutrals. It was resolved that flags used to mark medical vehicles and hospitals should have white fields, as a sign of peace and neutrality. Thus, the famous Red Cross flag was adopted in 1863, and in 1876, its counter-part, the Red Crescent flag, was adopted for use in Islamic countries.

Questions What is it? What does it stand for? Why would we want it? What are some examples? Is it a call to action? How is it displayed? Why is it white?	Why is it white?
	A white flag with a single band of color across the top was chosen to harmonize, if possible, and in all events, to avoid clashing with, or overshadowing, the other flags of the world. This is a "companion flag"; it is meant to be flown with the other flags of the world, on the same pole. The Companion Flag's top stripe, matching a color appearing in the host flag, underscores the need to embrace simultaneously our differences and our sameness, avoiding the tendency to believe that one is "more real" or "more pertinent" than the other. We are challenged to get our minds around this paradox: that all of us are—at all times, and under all circumstances—both different and the same, no matter how passionate we may feel about our particular differences, affiliations, or causes, or about our sameness, and no matter what choices or actions we or others may endorse. It is a paradox, to be sure, but one which can be held gently and fully in the mind. Compassion is rooted in an active, sustainable awareness of all that we have in common, notwithstanding our difference; by adding a symbol of all that we have in common to our existing symbols of diversity, separation, and affiliation, we will nourish daily an awareness of our essential sameness—the ground of human compassion—without denying our differences. Indeed, the large white field below the stripe represents everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences. May it also be seen as a blank page upon which our children and grandchildren, and all generations after them, will write a brighter and more compassionate future for themselves, for the earth, and all its inhabitants! This writer understands that "white" has, in our time, taken on various meanings and connotations around the world. Caucasians are often labeled "whites," especially when compared to the darker-skinned peoples of the earth, many of whom are labeled "blacks," "reds," "yellows," etc. White is also the traditional color of death and mourning in several Asiatic societies. Perhaps it is inevitable, then, that some will try to "read" these and other popular connotations into the choice of a white Companion Flag. But this won’t work. Why not? Because what the Companion Flag stands for is as immutable as it is precise: everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences. The Companion Flag cannot symbolize "white" people to the exclusion of others because the experience of being white is not shared by all human beings. Similarly, it can’t be seen to symbolize death and mourning to the exclusion of other aspects of human life because the belief that white stands for death and mourning is not a belief held in common by all human beings. There is some historical precedent for the use of white flags. In 1863, an international conference at Geneva agreed that those who care for the sick and wounded during wartime should be regarded as neutrals. It was resolved that flags used to mark medical vehicles and hospitals should have white fields, as a sign of peace and neutrality. Thus, the famous Red Cross flag was adopted in 1863, and in 1876, its counter-part, the Red Crescent flag, was adopted for use in Islamic countries.	Before leaving this topic, there are two other questions frequently asked: "Why use a flag at all to symbolize our common humanity?" and, "Don’t the Olympic flag and the flag of the United Nations already do this?" The choice of a flag to symbolize humankind’s global recognition of itself is unabashedly opportunistic. (Hopefully, it will not be seen as unwise or exploitative.) Flags and flagpoles are already present throughout the world, in virtually every city, town and village. Flags are remarkable symbols -- as stated before, a unique marriage of elegance, power, and simplicity. Because human beings regard these symbols so highly, flags and their flagpoles are often accorded the most beautiful and dignified settings, and are almost always displayed in such as manner as to be seen by as many people as possible. On virtually every flagpole, there is room for another flag. That said, to suggest that one should lightly presume to attach another flag to those flagpoles would be foolish. The Companion Flag is not a light-hearted gesture. The flags in use around the world today, beautiful as they are, divide us. They speak only to our differences and separation. In this sense, they are symbolically incomplete. Our differences exist and are valid, to be sure -- some would say they are worth killing and dying for, and that may be true; however, no responsible person could or would contend that our differences tell the whole story. Speaking only to our differences and separation from each other, the flags of the world omit our shared humanity: all that is done, held, known or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding our differences. The Companion Flag fills this void -- perhaps as no other symbol can; therefore, it is urged that it might, without harm, and with great humility and respect, be added to any flagpole anywhere in the world. The Olympic flag, with its white field and multicolored rings, is a beautiful symbol of the Olympic ideal: peace and understanding through international athletic competition. The love of sport and physical activity is, indeed, a shared aspect of the human experience, but the Companion Flag stands for much more than athletic competition. By contrast, the flag of the United Nations represents a world governing body, or, as some would say, an organization of cooperating world governments. The United Nations takes an active role in international dispute resolution, policy-making and enforcement. Again, its members are sovereign states. Whatever one may think of the United Nations, or its activities, it is clear that the United Nations flag does not represent everything that is done, held, known, or experienced in common by human beings, notwithstanding their differences. It, too, is different from the Companion Flag.