Vessels sailing under the Cyprus country flag are required to have on board this flag as part of flag state requirements that derive from maritime regulations in the International Code of Signals and the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. These codes are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an ongoing effort to reinforce maritime safety procedures and communications to the international maritime community. Fleet management companies and ship owners are responsible to ensure that each vessel in their respective fleets have the appropriate flag signage onboard to be in compliance. This flag is used to identify the flag state a vessel is sailing under and to communicate with other vessels under the provisions of the International Code of Signals.

This flag became the official flag of the country in 1960 when Cyprus became an independent state. The flag was designed by a citizen of Cyprus who was originally from Turkey, art teacher Ismet Guney. The flag includes a map of the island as well as two olive branches under the country. The branches are meant to represent the peace between the Greeks and the Turks. The map of the country is copper and that represents the large amount of copper ore that can be found on this beautiful island country. This flag was deliberately designed using peaceful symbols in order to emphasize the new found harmony between the Turkish and Greek communities on Cyprus. There is a long history of conflict on this island and this flag was meant to represent the new hope that the country might know peace.

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