Today, for the Romani Arts after-school session, the children designed and printed their own flags. Paint was used to colour the background, and either a lino stamp or stencil used for the centre print, reflecting designs traditionally painted onto vardos, or horse-drawn wagons. Some of the children decided to print their version of the Roma flag.
The Roma flag has two horizontal bars – the blue representing the sky and eternal spiritual values, the green symbolizing grass in the fields, fertility, and eternal terrestrial values. The red “chakra” was added later – a wheel with 16 spokes. It reminds the Roma of their Indian origin and symbolizes constant movement and progress.
Sarah J Featherstone 