Endymion

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In Greek mythology, a beautiful young shepherd or hunter visited each night by Selene, the Moon goddess. She kissed him as he slept in a cave on Mount Latmos in Caria, sending him into an eternal sleep in which he became ageless.

In another tradition, he was the son of Zeus and a nymph, and loved by the goddess Aphrodite. His wish to remain young forever was granted by Zeus, who immortalized him in everlasting sleep. John Keats's poem Endymion (1818) is an allegory of the search for perfection.

The flag may have been based on that of Schwyz, one of the original cantons of the Confederation. While the national flag is square, a rectangular flag is used on Swiss lakes and rivers. Effective date: 12 December 1889. >>