# National flag > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/National_flag > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/National_flag.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_flag > Source revision: 1355539614 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Flag of a country or nation *Johnson's new chart of national emblems*, published c. 1868. The large flags shown in the corners are the [37-star flag of the United States](/source/Flag_of_the_United_States#Historical_progression_of_designs) (flown 1867–1890), upper left; the [Royal Standard of the United Kingdom](/source/Royal_Standard_of_the_United_Kingdom), upper, right; the [Russian Imperial Standard](/source/Russian_Imperial_Standard), lower left; and the [French tricolore](/source/Flag_of_France) with inset [Imperial Eagle](/source/French_Imperial_Eagle), lower right. Various other flags flown by ships are shown. The [Flag of Cuba](/source/Flag_of_Cuba) is labelled "Cuban [(so called)](/source/Ten_Years'_War)". The [Chinese dragon](/source/Chinese_dragon) on the [Flag of China](/source/Flag_of_the_Qing_Dynasty) was drawn mistakenly as a [welsh dragon](/source/Welsh_Dragon). Part of a series on Nationalism Nation forming Animal Anthem Church Coat of arms Colours Day Dish Emblem Epic Father Flag God Homeland Identity Language Motto Monument Myth Personification Sport State Symbol Treasure Principles Allegiance Discrimination based on nationality Independence Patriotism Self-determination Solidarity Types Anarchist Authoritarian Fascism Blind Bolshevik Bourgeois Business Christian Civic Conservative Corporate Cyber- Ecological Economic Ethnic Expansionist Feminist Integral Internet- Left-wing Communist Liberal Musical Mystic Neo- Pan- Peripheral Racial Religious Resource Revolutionary Romantic State Syndicalist Technological Territorial Trans- Ultra- Organizations List of nationalist organizations Related concepts Anationalism Anti-nationalism Anti-globalization movement Anti-imperialism Banal nationalism Border Civil religion Constitutional patriotism Communitarianism Cosmopolitanism Cultural nationalism Diaspora politics Ethnocentrism Ethnopluralism Gastronationalism Gender and nationalism Globalism Historiography and nationalism Imagined community Imperialism Internationalism Irredentism Jingoism Liberalism and nationalism Localism Mercantilism Militarism National indifference Nationalism in antiquity Nationalism in the Middle Ages Nationalism studies Nativism Plurinationalism Post- Racism Revanchism Populism left-wing right-wing Seasonal or cultural festival Subsidiarity Catholicism Xenophobia Politics portal v t e A **national flag** is a [flag](/source/Flag) that represents and [symbolizes](/source/National_symbol) a given [nation](/source/Nation). It is [flown](/source/Fly_(flag)) by the [government](/source/Government) of that nation, but can also be flown by its [citizens](/source/Citizen). A national flag is typically designed with specific meanings for its colors and symbols, which may also be used separately from the flag as a symbol of the nation. The design of a national flag is sometimes altered after the occurrence of important historical events. ## History See also: [Timeline of national flags](/source/Timeline_of_national_flags) and [History of flags](/source/History_of_flags) Historically, flags originated as [military standards](/source/Military_standard), used as [field signs](/source/Field_sign). Throughout history, various examples of such proto-flags exist: the white cloth banners of the [Zhou dynasty](/source/Zhou_dynasty)'s armies in the 11th century BC, the *[vexillum](/source/Vexillum)* standards flown by the armies of the [Roman Empire](/source/Roman_Empire), the [Black Standard](/source/Black_Standard) famously carried by [Muhammad](/source/Muhammad) which later became the flag of the [Abbasid Caliphate](/source/Abbasid_Caliphate), and the various "[Raven banners](/source/Raven_banner)" flown by [Viking](/source/Viking) chieftains. [Angelino Dulcert](/source/Angelino_Dulcert) published a series of comprehensive [Portolan charts](/source/Portolan_chart) in the 14th century AD, which famously showcased the flags of several polities depicted – although these are not uniformly "national flags", as some were likely the personal standards of the respective nation's rulers. The practice of flying flags indicating the country of origin *outside* of the context of warfare became common with the [maritime flag](/source/Maritime_flag). During the 13th century, the republics of [Genoa](/source/Republic_of_Genoa) and [Venice](/source/Republic_of_Venice) both used maritime flags; [William Gordon Perrin](/source/William_Gordon_Perrin) wrote that the republic of Genoa was "one of the earliest states to adopt a national flag".[1] The current design of the [flag of the Netherlands](/source/Flag_of_the_Netherlands) originates as a variant of the late 16th century orange-white-blue *[Prinsenvlag](/source/Prinsenvlag)* ("Prince's Flag"), that was used in the [Dutch War of Independence](/source/Dutch_War_of_Independence) (1568–1648), evolving in the early 17th century as the red-white-blue *[Statenvlag](/source/Statenvlag)* ("States Flag"), the naval flag of the [States-General](/source/States_General_of_the_Netherlands#Dutch_Republic) of the [Dutch Republic](/source/Dutch_Republic), making the Dutch flag perhaps the oldest [tricolour flag](/source/Tricolour_(flag)) in continuous use, although standardisation of the exact colours is of a much later date.[2][3] During the [Age of Sail](/source/Age_of_Sail) in the early 17th century, the [Union Jack](/source/Union_Jack) finds its origins, when [James VI of Scotland](/source/James_VI_of_Scotland) inherited the English and Irish thrones (as James I). On 12 April 1606, the new flag representing this regal union between England and Scotland was specified in a royal decree, according to which the [flag of England](/source/Flag_of_England) (a red cross on a white background, known as [St George's Cross](/source/St_George's_Cross)), and the [flag of Scotland](/source/Flag_of_Scotland) (a white [saltire](/source/Saltire) on a blue background, known as the Saltire or St Andrew's Cross), would be joined, forming the flag of Great Britain and first Union Flag[4] - but then without the red [Cross of St. Patrick](/source/Cross_of_St._Patrick). It continued in use until 1 January 1801, the effective date of the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland, when the Cross of St. Patrick (a red diagonal cross on white) was incorporated into the flag,[4] giving the Union Jack its current design. With the emergence of [nationalist](/source/Nationalism) sentiment from the late 18th century national flags began to be displayed in civilian contexts as well.[5] Notable early examples include the [US flag](/source/US_flag), which was first adopted as a naval ensign in 1777 but began to be displayed as a generic symbol of the [United States](/source/United_States) after the [American Revolution](/source/American_Revolution), and the [French Tricolor](/source/French_Tricolore), which became a symbol of the [Republic](/source/First_French_Republic) in the 1790s.[6] Most [countries of Europe](/source/Countries_of_Europe) standardised and codified the designs of their maritime flags as national flags, in the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The specifications of the [flag of Denmark](/source/Flag_of_Denmark), based on a flag that was in continuous use since the 14th-century, were codified in 1748, as a rectangular flag with certain proportions, replacing the variant with a *split* (swallow-tail).[7] The [flag of Switzerland](/source/Flag_of_Switzerland) was introduced in 1889, also based on medieval war flags. *The first [Italian flag](/source/Flag_of_Italy) brought to [Florence](/source/Florence)* by Francesco Saverio Altamura (1859) In Europe, the red-white-blue tricolour design of the [flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands](/source/Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_the_Netherlands) became popular, since it was associated with a republican form of government through that country's long war of independence against the [Spanish Crown](/source/Spanish_Crown). That association was greatly reinforced after the [French Revolution](/source/French_Revolution) (1789), when France used the same colours, but with vertical instead of horizontal stripes. Other countries in Europe (like [Ireland](/source/Flag_of_Ireland), [Italy](/source/Flag_of_Italy), [Romania](/source/Flag_of_Romania) and [Estonia](/source/Flag_of_Estonia)) and in South and Central America selected tricolours of their own to express their adherence to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity as embodied in the French flag, although some adopted a monarchical form of government with a constitution instead of a republican government.[8] A 1919 painting depicting the [Brazilian flag](/source/Brazilian_flag) being embroidered by a family. The [Ottoman flag](/source/Flags_of_the_Ottoman_Empire) (now the [flag of Turkey](/source/Flag_of_Turkey)) was adopted in 1844. Other non-European powers followed the trend in the late 19th century, the flag of [Great Qing](/source/Qing_dynasty) being introduced in 1862, that of [Japan](/source/Flag_of_Japan) being introduced in 1870. Also in the 19th century, most [countries of South America](/source/Countries_of_South_America) introduced a flag as they became independent ([Peru](/source/Flag_of_Peru) in 1820, [Bolivia](/source/Flag_of_Bolivia) in 1851, [Colombia](/source/Flag_of_Colombia) in 1860, [Brazil](/source/Flag_of_Brazil) in 1822, etc.) ## Process of adoption The national flag is often mentioned or described in a country's [constitution](/source/Constitution), but its detailed description may be delegated to a flag law passed by the legislature, or even [secondary legislation](/source/Delegated_legislation) or in monarchies a [decree](/source/Order_in_Council). Thus, the national flag is mentioned briefly in the [Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany](/source/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany) of 1949 "the federal flag is black-red-gold" (art. 22.2 *Die Bundesflagge ist schwarz-rot-gold*), but its proportions were regulated in a document passed by the government in the following year. The [Flag of the United States](/source/Flag_of_the_United_States) is not defined in the constitution but rather in a separate Flag Resolution passed in 1777. Minor design changes of national flags are often passed on a legislative or executive level, while substantial changes have constitutional character. The design of the [flag of Serbia](/source/Flag_of_Serbia) omitting the communist star of the [flag of Yugoslavia](/source/Flag_of_Yugoslavia) was a decision made in the [1992 Serbian constitutional referendum](/source/Serbian_constitutional_referendum%2C_1992), but the adoption of a coat of arms within the flag was based on a government "recommendation" in 2003, adopted legislatively in 2009 and again subject to a minor design change in 2010. The flag of the United States underwent numerous changes because the number of stars represents the number of states, proactively defined in a [Flag Act](/source/Flag_Acts_(United_States)) of 1818 to the effect that "on the admission of every new state into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag"; it was changed most recently in 1960 with the accession of [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii). In 1946, [Italy](/source/Italy) removed the arms of Savoy from its flag following the abolition of the [monarchy](/source/Kingdom_of_Italy) in a [constitutional referendum](/source/1946_Italian_institutional_referendum). In 2024, [Syria](/source/Syria) replaced the [Ba'ath era](/source/Ba'athist_Syria) flag with a 2:3 version of the 1930 flag following the [overthrow](/source/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime) of the country's government in the [Syrian Civil War](/source/Syrian_Civil_War). A change in national flag is often due to a change of regime, especially following a [civil war](/source/Civil_war) or [revolution](/source/Revolution). In such cases, the military origins of the national flag and its connection to political ideology ([form of government](/source/Form_of_government), monarchy vs. republic vs. theocracy, etc.) remains visible. In such cases national flags acquire the status of a [political symbol](/source/Political_symbolism). The [flag of Germany](/source/Flag_of_Germany), for instance, was a tricolour of black-white-red under the [German Empire](/source/German_Empire), inherited from the [North German Confederation](/source/North_German_Confederation) (1866). The [Weimar Republic](/source/Weimar_Republic) that followed adopted a black-red-gold tricolour. [Nazi Germany](/source/Nazi_Germany) went back to black-white-red in 1933 before replacing it with a modified version of the Nazi party flag in 1935, and black-red-gold was reinstituted by the two successor states, [West Germany](/source/West_Germany) and [East Germany](/source/East_Germany), with East Germany's flag being [defaced](/source/Defacement_(flag)) with Communist symbols, following [World War II](/source/World_War_II). Following the [reunification of Germany](/source/Reunification_of_Germany), the East German flag was retired from official use in favor of the plain West German tricolour. Subsequently, the East German flag became a symbol of [Ostalgie](/source/Ostalgie), while the imperial tricolour became a symbol of the German far-right. Similarly, the flags of [Libya](/source/Flag_of_Libya) and [Syria](/source/Flag_of_Syria) introduced with the nations' independence were abandoned following the [1969 Libyan revolution](/source/1969_Libyan_revolution) and the [1963 Syrian coup d'état](/source/1963_Syrian_coup_d'%C3%A9tat), respectively. They were used again by anti-government forces during civil wars in the midst of the [Arab Spring](/source/Arab_Spring) before being reinstated as the national flags following said forces' victories in [2011](/source/Battle_of_Tripoli_(2011)) and [2024](/source/Fall_of_the_Assad_regime), respectively. ## Usage The [Flag of Cyprus](/source/Flag_of_Cyprus) uses its own map for its flag There are three distinct types of national flag for use on land, and three for use at sea, though many countries use identical designs for several (and sometimes all) of these types of flag. ### On land On land, there is a distinction between [civil flags](/source/Civil_flag) ([FIAV](/source/International_Federation_of_Vexillological_Associations) symbol ), [state flags](/source/State_flag) (), and [war or military flags](/source/War_flag) (). **Civil flags** may be flown by anyone regardless of whether they are linked to government, whereas **state flags** are those used officially by government agencies. **War flags** (also called **military flags**) are used by military organizations such as Armies, Marine Corps, or Air Forces. In practice, many countries (such as the [United States](/source/United_States) and the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom)) have identical flags for these three purposes; **national flag** is sometimes used as a vexillological term to refer to such a three-purpose flag (). In a number of countries, however, and notably those in [Latin America](/source/Latin_America), there is a distinction between civil and state flags. In most cases, the civil flag is a simplified version of the state flag, with the difference often being the presence of a coat of arms on the state flag that is absent from the civil flag. Very few countries use a war flag that differs from the state flag. [Taiwan](/source/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China), [Japan](/source/Flag_of_Japan), and [China](/source/Flag_of_China) are notable examples of this. [Swallow-tailed flags](/source/Swallowtail_(flag)) are used as war flags and naval ensigns in [Nordic countries](/source/Nordic_countries) and charged versions as presidential or royal standards. The [Philippines](/source/Philippines) does not have a distinctive war flag in this usual sense, but the [flag of the Philippines](/source/Flag_of_the_Philippines) is legally unique in that it is flown with the red stripe on top when the country is in a state of war, rather than the conventional blue. - [Civil flag](/source/Civil_flag) of [Austria](/source/Austria) - [State flag](/source/State_flag) of [Austria](/source/Austria) - [Flag of Taiwan](/source/Flag_of_Taiwan) ### At sea The flag that indicates nationality on a ship is called an [ensign](/source/Ensign_(flag)). As with the national flags, there are three varieties: the **[civil ensign](/source/Civil_ensign)** (), flown by private vessels; **[state ensigns](/source/State_ensign)** (also called **government ensigns**; ), flown by government ships; and **[war ensigns](/source/War_ensign)** (also called **naval ensigns**; ), flown by naval vessels. The ensign is flown from an ensign-staff at the [stern](/source/Stern) of the ship, or from a gaff when underway. Both these positions are superior to any other on the ship, even though the [masthead](/source/Mast_(sailing)) is higher. In the absence of a gaff the ensign may be flown from the [yardarm](/source/Yardarm). (See [Maritime flags](/source/Maritime_flags).) National flags may also be flown by aircraft and the land vehicles of important officials. In the case of aircraft, those flags are usually painted on, and those are usually to be painted on in the position as if they were blowing in the wind. In some countries, such as the [United States](/source/United_States) and [Canada](/source/Canada) (except for the [Royal Canadian Navy's Ensign](/source/Canadian_Naval_Ensign)), the national ensign is identical to the national flag, while in others, such as the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), [India](/source/India), [Italy](/source/Italy), [Japan](/source/Japan) and [Thailand](/source/Thailand), there are specific ensigns for maritime use. Most countries do not have a separate state ensign, although the United Kingdom is a rare exception, in having a [red ensign](/source/Red_ensign) for civil use, a [white ensign](/source/White_ensign) as its naval ensign, and a [blue ensign](/source/Blue_ensign) for government non-military vessels. Italian naval ensign bears the arms of the [Italian Navy](/source/Italian_Navy): a [shield](/source/Escutcheon_(heraldry)), surmounted by a [turreted](/source/Mural_crown) and [rostrum crown](/source/Naval_crown), which brings together in four parts the arms of four ancient [maritime republics](/source/Maritime_republics) ([Republic of Venice](/source/Republic_of_Venice), [Republic of Genoa](/source/Republic_of_Genoa), [Republic of Pisa](/source/Republic_of_Pisa) and [Republic of Amalfi](/source/Duchy_of_Amalfi)). - The [naval ensign of the United Kingdom](/source/White_Ensign) - The [Indian Naval Ensign](/source/Indian_Naval_Ensign), also referred to as the Indian White Ensign, or *Nishaan*, is the [naval ensign](/source/Naval_ensign) of the [Indian Navy](/source/Indian_Navy) - The [naval ensign](/source/Naval_ensign) of [Italy](/source/Italy) - Naval ensign of the [Imperial Japanese Navy](/source/Imperial_Japanese_Navy) and the [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force](/source/Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force) - Royal Navy Thai Flag [Naval ensign](/source/Naval_ensign) Emblem White Elephant ### Protocol Main article: [Flag protocol](/source/Flag_protocol) The world's sixth tallest [flagpole](/source/Flagpole) flying a 270 kg (595 lb) [Flag of North Korea](/source/Flag_of_North_Korea). It is 160 m (525 ft) in height, over [Kijŏng-dong](/source/Kij%C5%8Fng-dong) ("Peace village") near [Panmunjom](/source/Panmunjom), the border of [North Korea](/source/North_Korea) and [South Korea](/source/South_Korea). There is a great deal of protocol involved in the proper display of national flags. A general rule is that the national flag should be flown in the position of honour, and not in an inferior position to any other flag (although some countries make an exception for royal standards). The following rules are typical of the conventions when flags are flown on land: - When a national flag is displayed together with any other flags, it must be hoisted first and lowered last. - When a national flag is displayed together with the national flags of other countries, all the flags should be of approximately equal size[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and must be flown at an equal height, although the national flag of the host country should be flown in the position of honour (in the centre of an odd number of flagpoles or at the far right — left from an observer's point of view — of an even number of flagpoles). - The flags of [Saudi Arabia](/source/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia), [Iraq](/source/Flag_of_Iraq), [Iran](/source/Flag_of_Iran), and [Afghanistan](/source/Flag_of_Afghanistan) are often wrapped from left to right (which appears right to left from an observer's point of view) because they contain Arabic text that must be displayed correctly.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] - When a national flag is displayed together with flags other than national flags, it should be flown on a separate flagpole, either higher or in the position of honour. - When a national flag is displayed together with any other flags on the same flagpole, it must be at the top, though separate flagpoles are preferable. - When a national flag is displayed together with any other flag on crossed flagpoles, the national flag must be on the observer's left and its flagpole must be in front of the flagpole of the other flag. - When a national flag is displayed together with another flag or flags in procession, the national flag must be on the marching right. If there is a row of flags, it should be in the position of honour. - When a national flag, with some exceptions, is flown upside down it indicates distress. This however is merely tradition. It is not a recognised distress signal according to the [International regulations for preventing collisions at sea](/source/International_regulations_for_preventing_collisions_at_sea). Further, a nation's flag is commonly flown inverted as a sign of protest or contempt against the country concerned. As of now, only the [flag of the Philippines](/source/Flag_of_the_Philippines) recognises the distress symbolism of the reverse flag. ### Hanging a flag vertically Most flags are hung vertically by rotating the flag pole. However, some countries have specific protocols for this purpose or even have special flags for vertical hanging; usually rotating some elements of the flag — such as the coat of arms — so that they are seen in an upright position.[9] Examples of countries that have special protocol for vertical hanging are: [Canada](/source/Flag_of_Canada), [Czech Republic](/source/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic), [Greece](/source/Flag_of_Greece), [Israel](/source/Flag_of_Israel), the [Philippines](/source/Flag_of_the_Philippines), [South Africa](/source/Flag_of_South_Africa), and the [United States](/source/Flag_of_the_United_States) (reverse always showing); and the [United Kingdom](/source/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom) (obverse always showing). Examples of countries that have special designs for vertical hanging are: [Austria](/source/Flag_of_Austria), [Cambodia](/source/Flag_of_Cambodia) (coat of arms must be rotated 90° and blue strips are narrowed), [Dominica](/source/Flag_of_Dominica) (coat of arms must be rotated and reverse always showing), [Germany](/source/Flag_of_Germany), [Hungary](/source/Flag_of_Hungary), [Liechtenstein](/source/Flag_of_Liechtenstein) (crown must be rotated 90°), [Mexico](/source/Flag_of_Mexico), [Montenegro](/source/Flag_of_Montenegro) (coat of arms must be rotated 90° to normal position), [Nepal](/source/Flag_of_Nepal), [Slovakia](/source/Flag_of_Slovakia) (coat of arms must be rotated 90° to normal position), and [Saudi Arabia](/source/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia) ([shahada](/source/Shahada) must be rotated 90°). A vertical banner is used instead of the horizontal flag for [Malaysia](/source/Flag_of_Malaysia). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Cambodia](/source/Flag_of_Cambodia). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Dominica](/source/Flag_of_Dominica). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Germany](/source/Flag_of_Germany). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Thailand](/source/Flag_of_Thailand). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Hungary](/source/Flag_of_Hungary). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Italy](/source/Flag_of_Italy). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Liechtenstein](/source/Flag_of_Liechtenstein). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Montenegro](/source/Flag_of_Montenegro). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Nepal](/source/Flag_of_Nepal). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Slovakia](/source/Flag_of_Slovakia). - Vertical variation of the [flag of Saudi Arabia](/source/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia). - Vertical banner variation of the [flag of Malaysia](/source/Flag_of_Malaysia). ## Design The [flag of Nepal](/source/Flag_of_Nepal) is the only national flag which is not a quadrilateral. The art and practice of designing flags is known as [vexillography](/source/Vexillography). The design of national flags has seen a number of customs become apparent. Most national flags are rectangular, or have a rectangular common variant, with the most notable exception being the [flag of Nepal](/source/Flag_of_Nepal). The [ratios of height to width](/source/List_of_countries_by_proportions_of_national_flags) vary among national flags, but none is taller than it is wide, again except for the flag of Nepal. The flags of [Switzerland](/source/Flag_of_Switzerland) and the [Vatican City](/source/Flag_of_Vatican_City) are the only national flags which are exact squares. The obverse and reverse of all national flags are either identical or mirrored, except for the [flag of Paraguay](/source/Flag_of_Paraguay) and the partially recognized [Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic](/source/Sahrawi_Arab_Democratic_Republic). See [Flags whose reverse differs from the obverse](/source/Flags_whose_reverse_differs_from_the_obverse) for a list of exceptions including non-national flags. As of 2011 all national flags consist of at least two different colours. In many cases, the different colours are presented in either horizontal or vertical bands. It is particularly common for colours to be presented in [bands of three](/source/Triband_(flag)). The [Cambodian flag](/source/Flag_of_Cambodia) features a depiction of [Angkor Wat](/source/Angkor_Wat) in the center, a temple historically associated with both Hinduism and Buddhism.[10] It is common for many flags to feature national symbols, such as [coats of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms). National patterns are present in some flags. Variations in design within a national flag can be common in the flag's upper left quarter, or canton. A third of the world's 196 countries currently have national flags that include religious symbols.[10] This has led to controversy in some [secular states](/source/Secular_state) in regard to the [separation of church and state](/source/Separation_of_church_and_state), when the national symbol is officially sanctioned by a [government](/source/Government).[11] ### Colours For a more comprehensive list, see [List of flags by color](/source/List_of_flags_by_color) and [List of flags by color combination](/source/List_of_flags_by_color_combination). Distribution of colours in national flags The most common colours in national flags are red, white, green, dark blue, yellow, light blue, and black.[12] The only national flag not to include the colors red, white, or blue is [Jamaica's](/source/Flag_of_Jamaica).[13] The occurrence of each colour in all the flags is listed in detail in the table below.[12] The table shows that the colours light brown, dark brown and grey are only present in very small quantities. To be more precise these colours are currently only present in some of the symbols found within a few flags, such as in the case of the [Spanish flag](/source/Flag_of_Spain). Colour Percentage of Flags Count of flags red 76.14% 150 white 71.57% 141 blue 51.78% 102 yellow/gold 45.18% 89 green 44.67% 88 black 30.46% 60 orange 4.57% 9 brown 4.06% 8 gray 3.05% 6 purple 1.52% 3 ### Similarities Blue, yellow and red striped flags Flags from top left to bottom right: [Chad](/source/Flag_of_Chad), [Romania](/source/Flag_of_Romania), [Andorra](/source/Flag_of_Andorra) and [Moldova](/source/Flag_of_Moldova) Although the national flag is meant to be a unique symbol representing a nation, many countries have highly similar flags. Examples include the flags of [Monaco](/source/Flag_of_Monaco) and [Indonesia](/source/Flag_of_Indonesia), which differ only slightly in proportion and the tint of red; the flags of the [Netherlands](/source/Flag_of_the_Netherlands) and [Luxembourg](/source/Flag_of_Luxembourg), which differ in proportion as well as in the tint of blue used; the flags of [Romania](/source/Flag_of_Romania) and [Chad](/source/Flag_of_Chad), which differ only in the tint of blue, and the flags of [Cuba](/source/Flag_of_Cuba) and [Puerto Rico](/source/Flag_of_Puerto_Rico), which differ only in proportion, placement and tint of colors. [Flag of Cuba](/source/Flag_of_Cuba) with 1:2 proportion [Flag of Puerto Rico](/source/Flag_of_Puerto_Rico) with 2:3 proportion The flags of [Ireland](/source/Flag_of_Ireland) and [Ivory Coast](/source/Flag_of_Ivory_Coast) and the flags of [Mali](/source/Flag_of_Mali) and [Guinea](/source/Flag_of_Guinea) are (aside from shade or ratio differences) vertically mirrored versions from each other. This means that the reverse of one flag matches the obverse of the other. Unlike horizontally mirrored flags (like [Poland](/source/Flag_of_Poland) and [Indonesia](/source/Flag_of_Indonesia)) the direction in which these flags fly is crucial to identify them. Image showing many similar flags There are three colour combinations that are used on several flags in certain regions. Blue, white, and red is a [common combination](/source/Pan-Slavic_colours) in [Slavic countries](/source/Slavic_Europe) such as the [Czech Republic](/source/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic), [Slovakia](/source/Flag_of_Slovakia), [Russia](/source/Flag_of_Russia), [Serbia](/source/Flag_of_Serbia), [Slovenia](/source/Flag_of_Slovenia), and [Croatia](/source/Flag_of_Croatia) as well as among Western nations including [Australia](/source/Flag_of_Australia), [France](/source/Flag_of_France), [Iceland](/source/Flag_of_Iceland), the [Netherlands](/source/Flag_of_the_Netherlands), [New Zealand](/source/Flag_of_New_Zealand), [Norway](/source/Flag_of_Norway), the [United Kingdom](/source/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom), and the [United States](/source/Flag_of_the_United_States). Many African nations use the [Pan-African colours](/source/Pan-African_colours) of red, yellow, and green, including [Cameroon](/source/Flag_of_Cameroon), [Ethiopia](/source/Flag_of_Ethiopia), [Ghana](/source/Flag_of_Ghana), [Guinea](/source/Flag_of_Guinea), [Mali](/source/Flag_of_Mali) and [Senegal](/source/Flag_of_Senegal). Flags containing red, white, and black (a subset of the [Pan-Arab colours](/source/Pan-Arab_colours)) can be found particularly among the Arab nations such as [Egypt](/source/Flag_of_Egypt), [Iraq](/source/Flag_of_Iraq), [Sudan](/source/Flag_of_Sudan) and [Yemen](/source/Flag_of_Yemen). Comparison of similarities of the [Italian](/source/Flag_of_Italy) and [Mexican flags](/source/Flag_of_Mexico) Due to the common arrangement of the same colours, at first sight, it seems that the only difference between the [Italian](/source/Flag_of_Italy) and the [Mexican flag](/source/Flag_of_Mexico) is only the [coat of arms of Mexico](/source/Coat_of_arms_of_Mexico) present in the latter; in reality the Italian tricolour uses lighter shades of green and red, and has different proportions than the Mexican flag—those of the Italian flag are equal to 2:3, while the proportions of the Mexican flag are 4:7.[14] The similarity between the two flags posed a serious problem in maritime transport, given that originally the Mexican mercantile flag was devoid of arms and therefore was consequently identical to the Italian Republican tricolour of 1946; to obviate the inconvenience, at the request of the [International Maritime Organization](/source/International_Maritime_Organization), both Italy and Mexico adopted naval flags with different crests.[15] Many other similarities may be found among current national flags, particularly if inversions of colour schemes are considered, e.g., compare the [flag of Senegal](/source/Flag_of_Senegal) to that of [Cameroon](/source/Flag_of_Cameroon) and [Indonesia](/source/Flag_of_Indonesia) to [Poland](/source/Flag_of_Poland) and [Monaco](/source/Flag_of_Monaco). Also the [flag of Italy](/source/Flag_of_Italy) and the [flag of Hungary](/source/Flag_of_Hungary) use the same colours, although the order and direction differ (the Italian flag is vertical green-white-red and the Hungarian flag is horizontal red-white-green). The same goes for the [flag of France](/source/Flag_of_France) and the [flag of the Netherlands](/source/Flag_of_the_Netherlands) (the French flag is vertical blue-white-red and the Dutch flag is horizontal red-white-blue). #### Flag families Main article: [Flag families](/source/Flag_families) While some similarities are coincidental, others are part of a flag family, flags rooted in shared histories. For example, the flags of [Colombia](/source/Flag_of_Colombia), of [Ecuador](/source/Flag_of_Ecuador), and of [Venezuela](/source/Flag_of_Venezuela) all use variants of the [flag of Gran Colombia](/source/Flag_of_Gran_Colombia), the country they composed upon their independence from [Spain](/source/Spain), created by the Venezuelan independence hero [Francisco de Miranda](/source/Francisco_de_Miranda); and the flags of [Kuwait](/source/Flag_of_Kuwait), of [Jordan](/source/Flag_of_Jordan), and of [Palestine](/source/Flag_of_Palestine) are all highly similar variants of the [flag of the Arab revolt](/source/Pan-Arab_colors) of 1916–1918. The flags of [Romania](/source/Flag_of_Romania) and [Moldova](/source/Flag_of_Moldova) are virtually the same, because of the common history and heritage. Moldova adopted the Romanian flag during the declaration of independence from the [USSR](/source/Soviet_Union) in 1991 (and was used in various demonstrations and revolts by the population) and later the [Moldovan coat of arms](/source/Moldovan_coat_of_arms) (which is part of the [Romanian coat of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms_of_Romania)) was placed in the centre of the flag. All [Nordic countries](/source/Nordic_countries), with the exception of [Greenland](/source/Flag_of_Greenland), use the [Nordic Cross design](/source/Nordic_Cross_flag) ([Iceland](/source/Flag_of_Iceland), [Denmark](/source/Flag_of_Denmark), [Norway](/source/Flag_of_Norway), [Sweden](/source/Flag_of_Sweden), [Finland](/source/Flag_of_Finland), in addition to the autonomous regions of the [Faroe Islands](/source/Flag_of_the_Faroe_Islands) and [Åland](/source/Flag_of_%C3%85land)), a horizontal cross shifted to the left on a single-coloured background. The [United States](/source/United_States) and [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) both have red, white, and blue. This similarity is due to the fact that the first 13 states of the U.S. were formerly colonies of the United Kingdom. Some similarities to the United States flag with the red and white stripes are noted as well such as the [flag of Malaysia](/source/Flag_of_Malaysia) and the [flag of Liberia](/source/Flag_of_Liberia), the latter of which was an American resettlement colony. Also, several former colonies of the United Kingdom, such as [Australia](/source/Flag_of_Australia), [Fiji](/source/Flag_of_Fiji) and [New Zealand](/source/Flag_of_New_Zealand) include the [Union Jack](/source/Union_Jack) in the top left corner. - [Slavic](/source/Slavs) countries flag family. - Former [Federal Republic of Central America](/source/Federal_Republic_of_Central_America) countries flags family. - [Nordic](/source/Nordic_countries) countries flag family. (Åland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous regions) ## See also - [Heraldry and Vexillology portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Heraldry_and_Vexillology) **Lists of flags** - [Lists of flags](/source/Lists_of_flags) - [List of national flags of sovereign states](/source/List_of_national_flags_of_sovereign_states) - [Gallery of flags of dependent territories](/source/Gallery_of_flags_of_dependent_territories) - [Timeline of national flags](/source/Timeline_of_national_flags) - [List of flags by colour combination](/source/List_of_flags_by_colour_combination) - [Gallery pages of flags of country subdivisions](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gallery_pages_of_flags_of_country_subdivisions) **Other** - [City flag](/source/City_flag) - [Civil flag](/source/Civil_flag) - [Ethnic flag](/source/Ethnic_flag) - [Flag Day](/source/Flag_Day) - [Flag desecration](/source/Flag_desecration) - [Flag families](/source/Flag_families) - [Flags of the World](/source/Flags_of_the_World_(website)) - [Flag protocol](/source/Flag_protocol) - [Glossary of vexillology](/source/Glossary_of_vexillology) - [Maritime flag](/source/Maritime_flag) - [National coat of arms](/source/National_coat_of_arms) - [National emblem](/source/National_emblem) - [National seal](/source/National_seal) - [National symbol](/source/National_symbol) - [State flag](/source/State_flag) - [Timeline of national flags](/source/Timeline_of_national_flags) - [Vexillology](/source/Vexillology) - [Glossary of vexillology](/source/Glossary_of_vexillology) - [Vexillological symbol](/source/Vexillological_symbol) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Perrin, William Gordon](/source/William_Gordon_Perrin) (1922). *British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device*. Cambridge University Press. p. 25. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Europe: Netherlands — The World Factbook"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210730075441/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/netherlands/). CIA. Archived from [the original](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/netherlands/) on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Worthington, Daryl (17 October 2016). ["Why Are So Many Flags Red, White and Blue?"](https://www.newhistorian.com/many-flags-red-white-blue-part-one/7406/). *New Historian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122755/https://www.newhistorian.com/many-flags-red-white-blue-part-one/7406/) from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-flag-of-the_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-flag-of-the_4-1) ["flag of the United Kingdom"](https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-United-Kingdom). *Encyclopedia Britannica*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211108201326/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-United-Kingdom) from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ""Flags"" in [German](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/d/D12810.php), [French](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F12810.php) and [Italian](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I12810.php) in the online *[Historical Dictionary of Switzerland](/source/Historical_Dictionary_of_Switzerland)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["The French flag"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080421053559/http://users.skynet.be/lotus/flag/fra0-en.htm). Archived from [the original](http://users.skynet.be/lotus/flag/fra0-en.htm) on 2008-04-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Dannebrog*](http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund,_jura_og_politik/Flag,_emblemer_og_heraldik/Flag_i_verden/Danmark_(Nationalflag)) (in Danish). Den Store Danske. 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171641/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund,_jura_og_politik/Flag,_emblemer_og_heraldik/Flag_i_verden/Danmark_(Nationalflag)) from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-13. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["flag - National flags"](https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-heraldry/National-flags). *Britannica*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220101130920/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-heraldry/National-flags) from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Nelson, Phil (2005-12-31), [*Hanging Flags Vertically*](https://www.fotw.info/flags/xf-vert.html), Flags of the World, [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101217224828/https://www.fotw.info/flags/xf-vert.html) from the original on 2010-12-17, retrieved 2011-02-20. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_10-1) Theodorou, Angelina E. (25 November 2014). ["64 countries have religious symbols on their national flags"](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/11/25/64-countries-have-religious-symbols-on-their-national-flags/). *Pew Research Center*. Retrieved 2024-04-03. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["64 countries have religious symbols on their national flags"](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/11/25/64-countries-have-religious-symbols-on-their-national-flags/). 25 November 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bartneckClark2014_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bartneckClark2014_12-1) Bartneck, Christoph; Adrian Clark (2014). "Semi-Automatic Color Analysis For Brand Logos". *Color Research and Application*. **40**: 72–84. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/col.21853](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fcol.21853). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["What Do the Colors and Symbols of the Flag of Jamaica Mean?"](https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-do-the-colors-and-symbols-of-the-flag-of-jamaica-mean.html). *World Atlas*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200717190503/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-do-the-colors-and-symbols-of-the-flag-of-jamaica-mean.html) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Bandiera Messico"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160118014921/http://bandiere-nazionali.it/bandiera-messico.html) (in Italian). Archived from [the original](http://bandiere-nazionali.it/bandiera-messico.html) on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["La bandiera Italiana"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303042627/http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/storiabandiera/) (in Italian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016. ## Bibliography - Bellocchi, Ugo (2008). *Bandiera madre – I tre colori della vita* (in Italian). Scripta Maneant. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-88-95847-01-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-88-95847-01-6). - Busico, Augusta (2005). *Il tricolore: il simbolo la storia* (in Italian). Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Dipartimento per l'informazione e l'editoria. [SBN](/source/National_Library_Service_of_Italy) [IT\ICCU\UBO\2771748](https://opac.sbn.it/bid/UBO2771748). - Maiorino, Tarquinio; Marchetti Tricamo, Giuseppe; Zagami, Andrea (2002). *Il tricolore degli italiani. Storia avventurosa della nostra bandiera* (in Italian). Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-88-04-50946-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-88-04-50946-2). - Tarozzi, Fiorenza; Vecchio, Giorgio (1999). *Gli italiani e il tricolore* (in Italian). Il Mulino. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [88-15-07163-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/88-15-07163-6). - Villa, Claudio (2010). *I simboli della Repubblica: la bandiera tricolore, il canto degli italiani, l'emblema* (in Italian). Comune di Vanzago. [SBN](/source/National_Library_Service_of_Italy) [IT\ICCU\LO1\1355389](https://opac.sbn.it/bid/LO11355389). ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [National flags](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:National_flags). - [Flags of the World](http://flagspot.net/flags/), a massive online [vexillological](/source/Vexillology) database on national and many other kinds of flags - [The World All Countries Flags](http://www.national-symbol.com) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220124173149/https://www.national-symbol.com/) 2022-01-24 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), a website about national symbols - [World Flag Database](http://www.flags.net/) reverse search for ID by colour and layout - [\[1\]](http://www.vexilla-mundi.com) for flag construction diagrams, flags of subnational entities, historical flags and country subdivisions - [Extensive list of similar flags from around the world](https://russelljohn.net/journal/2019/05/extensive-list-of-similar-flags-from-around-the-world/) v t e Vexillology Basic topics Flag Flagpole Heraldry History of flags History of Christian flags List of national flags of sovereign states Semaphore Tincture (color) Vexillography Glossary of vexillology Vexillological symbol Types of flags Burgee Civil flag Diplomatic flag Ensign (flag) Ethnic flag Heraldic flag Banderole Banner of arms Coats of arms Gonfalone Heraldic badge Pennon Broad pennant Jack (flag) Maritime flag National flag State flag War flag Military colours, standards and guidons Vexillum Standards Color schemes Tinctures in heraldry Pan-African Pan-Arab Arab Liberation Arab Revolt Malay Pan-Slavic Design features National coat of arms National emblem National seal National symbol British ensign Canton Chevron Cross Nordic cross Saltire Fimbriation Portugal Star Five-pointed star Star and crescent Southern Cross Stripes Bend Chief Fess Spanish fess Pale Canadian pale Triband Tricolour Pride flag Swallowtail (flag) Military Historical Aquila Draco Labarum Vexilloid Vexillum List of flags by design Organizations Australian Flag Society Australian National Flag Association Croatian Heraldic and Vexillological Association Flag Institute Flags of the World Genealogical Society of Ireland Great Waters Association of Vexillology International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) Italian Centre of Vexillological Studies Macedonian Heraldry Society Nordic Flag Society North American Vexillological Association Southern African Vexillological Association Spanish Society of Vexillology State Council of Heraldry Ukrainian Heraldry Society William Crampton Library v t e Crosses In modern use Alcoraz Anchored/Saint Clement Anuradhapura Archangels Archiepiscopal Armenian Arrow/Barby Balkenkreuz Bolnisi Bottony Branch Bulgarian Burgundy Byzantine Calatrava Calvary Camargue Canterbury Catherine wheel Celtic Variant Cercelée Coptic Cossack Crosslet Fitchy Crucifix Cruciform halo Double Ethiopian Evangelists Fleury Fitchy Forked Fourchy Fylfot Globus cruciger Archbishop's variant Gnostic Grapevine/Saint Nino Greek Greek Orthodox Huguenot Iron Jeremiah Jerusalem/Crusaders Jerusalem (Kingdom) Latin/Roman Macedonian Maltese Marada Marian Maronite Moline Nordic Novgorod Occitan Order of Christ Papal Patonce Pattée Fitchée Patriarchal Pommy Portate/Saint Gilbert Potent Quadrate Resistance Ringed Russian Russian Orthodox Salem Saltire/Saint Andrew Saint Chad Saint David Saint Florian Saint George Saint James/Santiago Saint John Saint Michael Saint Patrick Saint Peter Saint Philip Saint Piran Saint Thomas Serbian Serbian Orthodox Short Sword Syriac (Eastern) Syriac (Western) Tau/Saint Anthony Historical Avellane Aviz Black Blanc croix rouge Brigid Carolingian Chouan Consecration Coptic Coptic (Early) Cross cramponnée Crown Cuthbert's pectoral Engrailed Erminée Gammadion Jewelled Katanga Lazarus Lorraine Neith Nestorian Peñalba Pierced Quarterly Saint Alban Saint Julian Templar Teutonic Order Two-barred Victory Voided Wolf By function Altar Blessing Conciliation Heraldry Nordic Pisan High Market Mercat Memorial Mission Necklace Pectoral Plague Preaching Processional Lalibela Rood/Triumphal cross Stone Basalt Shaft Summit Wayside Christograms, Chrismons Chi Rho IX monogram Labarum Signum manus Staurogram/Monogrammatic/Tau Rho Related Ankh Armenian eternity sign Chakana Ichthys Irminsul Kolovrat Lauburu Mjölnir Rose Rota Solomon's knot Scientology Shamrock Shield of the Trinity Sunwheel swastika Sun Swastika Triskelion/Triskele Descriptions in antiquity of the execution cross List of tallest crosses in the world Christianity portal Arts portal v t e Lists of flags Master list Reference list State-related African derivative Arab states Christian Civil flag Country Date of adoption Heads of state Historical flags Former sovereign states Formerly independent Timeline By year Islamic State flag State flags and ensigns Sovereign Special and fictional Unrecognized Mobile military Armed forces Army and ground forces Air forces Air force roundels Air force fin flashes Maritime Ministry of defense Naval ensigns Naval jack Mobile civil service Border and coast guard forces Police flag Mobile civilian Civil air Civil and merchant navy Civil ensign House flag Pilot boat flags and ensigns Yacht flags and ensigns Other entities Capitals Cultural Dependent territories Ethnic International organizations Micronations Olympics and the Paralympics Pride flags Proposals Religious By design (national) By element Animals Astronomical Bicolor Borders British ensigns Buildings Canton Circles Color by combination Crescents Crosses Cross of Trier Nordic Saints banners Saints' crosses Devices Diamonds Flags Geographical Headgear Inscriptions Arabic English Latin Russian Spanish Keys Maps Nautical Plants People Quartered Solids Stars Trees Triangles Tribands Two-sided Watercraft Weapons By shape Non-rectangular Proportions By nations Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt governorates Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya counties Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somaliland Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Rhodesia Antarctica Antarctica Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong Macau Cyprus Egypt Georgia India states armed forces Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan prefectures municipalities Jordan Kazakhstan Korea North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines provinces coastwise emblem Qatar Russia federal subjects Sakha Russian Navy Saudi Arabia Singapore Soviet Union republics Soviet Navy Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand armed forces Timor-Leste Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Europe Albania Andorra Armenia Austria states Austria-Hungary Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Brussels Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France regions communes Brittany Corsica Île-de-France Occitanie Pays de la Loire French Empire Georgia Germany states districts municipalities Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy regions Kazakhstan Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands royal standards provinces municipalities North Macedonia Norway Poland naval and maritime voivodeships Portugal personal standards municipalities Romania Russia federal subjects Sakha Russian Navy San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Soviet Union republics Soviet Navy Spain autonomous communities provinces Sweden Switzerland cantons municipalities Turkey Ukraine oblasts United Kingdom England Cornwall Northern Ireland Scotland Wales cities, towns and villages British Empire Vatican City/Holy See Yugoslavia North America Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada lieutenant governors Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico states municipalities Nicaragua Panama Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States states and territories ensigns jacks armed forces Puerto Rico CSA Oceania Australia state governors Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Norfolk Island Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Zealand Palau states Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu South America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Names in italics indicate non-sovereign (dependent) territories, disputed states and/or former countries. v t e National symbols (list) Topics Coat of arms Colour Deity Dish Emblem Father Flag Flower Myth Patron saint Personification Poetry Epic Poets Religion Sport Lists Animals birds Anthems Dances Flowers Founders Fruits Instruments Drinks liquors Mottos Trees Galleries Country coats of arms State flags Authority control databases International GND National Japan Czech Republic --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [National flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_flag) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_flag?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.