Eleftheria i thanatos

Overview

The motto arose during the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, where it was a war cry for the Greeks who rebelled against Ottoman rule. It was adopted after the Greek War of Independence and is still in use today. One explanation for the 9 stripes on the Greek flag is that they represent the nine syllables of the motto, five blue stripes for the syllables Eleftheria and four white stripes for i thanatos. The motto symbolized and still symbolizes the resolve of the people of Greece against tyranny and oppression.

Part of the emblem of the Filiki Eteria were two flags with the letters ΗΕΑ and ΗΘΣ; These represent Ή ΕλευθερίΑ Ή ΘάνατοΣ, 'Either Freedom, or Death'. This is also the motto of the 4th Infantry Division of the Greek Army.