7. flag adopted by the Council of Europe, and later by the European Community and the European Union. On the flag we can see a circle of twelve golden stars on a bluish background. The author of the concept of flag is Arsene Heitz, the detailed arrangement, proportions, and colors have been developed by Paul MG Lévy. The symbolism of the flag T he twelve gold stars spread in a circle on the azure background represent solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. This symbolism also refers to the later philosophy of the European Union: In varietate concordia (from Lat.: Unity in Diversity). The number of stars refers to the ancient symbolism of number 12, meaning perfection and integrity , but does not depend on the number of member states, because at the time of the adoption of the flag the Council of Europe's consisted of 14 member states. Number 12 is also equivalent to the number of the months of a year, hours on the clock face, signs of the zodiac, and so on. So t he circle in which the stars are arranged are a symbol of unity.