The Flag
"There is only one Flag for me..."
This is what the slum captain sings in the musical "The Blood of the Lamb". But how did the Salvation Army flag, with its colours and inscription, actually evolve?
Even the first annual report, published in 1867, showed the headquarters building with a flag flying from the roof: this flag had the wording "East London Christian Mission". By the year 1874 General Booth and his son Bramwell were already having discussions about the design of a flag.
When The Salvation Army finalized its name and structure, it was time to establish an official flag.
The Salvation Army flag appeared in 1878, the same year The Salvation Army adopted its current name. It looked essentially the same as it does today: a dark-red flag with a blue border, in the middle a yellow sun (today a star), on which the words: "Blood & Fire" could be read in the respective national language.
In September 1878 Captain C. Reynolds, on behalf of Coventry Corps, received the first Salvation Army flag from Catherine Booth-Mumford. The wife of the Founder explained the design at numerous opportunities: The red represents the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, through which we are saved. The blue is the colour of purity and the yellow star at the same time represents the light and fire of the Holy Spirit. The motto "Blood and Fire" is the Blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) and the Fire of the Holy Ghost. "This flag", she added to the explanation " is an emblem of victory.
Kapitänin C. Reynolds
The Sun symbol is replaced by a Star symbol
The modification of the flag to its current form with a star in the centre took place in the year 1882. It is probable that Frederick Booth Tucker pointed out that the sun was a symbol of importance for other religious communities such as the Parsees. But this is nowhere recorded.
In June 1882, General Booth, during the laying of the corner stone for a new meeting hall of the Penzance Corps, handed over a new flag, and explained that the star in the centre was a symbol of the holy spirit. Nowadays the star usually has eight beams. This is something which has varied over the years, but no special significance was put on the number of these beams.
How should the flag be used?
As an indication that the love of God is always victorious, the flag of The Salvation Army is never flown at half-mast. It should be well visible in the meeting hall and should be taken to open-air meetings. The flag is also used at the dedication of children, enrolment of junior and senior soldiers, weddings and at the funerals of Salvationists.
The Salvation Army flag - an emblem of faith
Through the explanation of the colours and its motto, the flag of The Salvation Army becomes a symbol of the faith of each Salvationist.
The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (red), which cleanses and delivers from our guilt and the Spirit of God (yellow) who leads and guides, and finally the blue border as symbol of purity. Salvation and sanctification are expressed through the words "Blood and Fire".