The compass rose symbolizes the direction towards the path of peace, the goal that member states strive for; it has been updated once. Sculpture "NATO Star" When the North Atlantic Council decided in late 1969 to make the Brussels NATO site a permanent home, the question was raised of lending a prestigious note to the empty courtyard of the main entrance. Consultant architects were invited to come up with a solution to embellish the forecourt, known as the Cour d’Honneur. Following a suggestion made by the Greek representative, Belgian architect Raymond Huyberechts designed a motif inspired by the NATO logo: a stylised “rose des vents” cut by two circles representing the old and new continent. It would be made of factory-oxidised steel whose red-brown tint would not be affected by atmospheric agents. The Council expressed their preference for this motif when the model was presented at a meeting held on 17 March 1970. The sculpture is affectionately known as the “NATO star”. The NATO star is 7 metres high, between 4.2 and 7 metres wide. Originally budgeted at 1.5 million Belgian francs, the sculpture was erected in mid-August 1971 and an opening reception took place on 10 September 1971. On 1 October 1971, Joseph Luns became the first NATO Secretary General to have his photo taken with the star. As part of the move to NATO’s new headquarters, the star moved across Boulevard Leopold III to its new home on Saturday 28 May 2016. The star is surrounded by the flags of the NATO member countries. See also "The NATO Hymn" Flag of Europe Flag of the Western Union References External links NATO Flag Flags introduced in 1953