Flag of Liechtenstein

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Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg
UseCivil and state flag
Proportion3:5[1]
AdoptedJune 30, 1982
DesignA horizontal bicolour of blue and red, charged with a gold crown in the canton

The flag of Liechtenstein (German: Flagge Liechtensteins) is the national flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein. It consists of two horizontal blue and red bands charged with a gold crown in the canton. In use since 1764 and officially enshrined into the nation's constitution in 1921, it has been the flag of the principality since that year. The crown was added to the flag in 1937 after the country found out at the Summer Olympics held the previous year that their flag was identical to the civil flag of Haiti.

History[]

When flown vertically, the crown on the flag is rotated so that it always faces upwards.

Liechtenstein was formed in 1719 as a principality within the Holy Roman Empire, and gained complete independence in 1866.[2] Within this period, the colours blue and red were selected to feature on the flag, instead of the gold and red on the coat of arms that would have customarily been employed instead. These new livery colours were first utilized by Prince Joseph Wenzel I in 1764.[1]

A new constitution for the Principality was formulated and proclaimed in October 1921.[1][3] It made the blue and red banner the national flag by granting it "official status".[1] Fifteen years later, during the 1936 Summer Olympics, the country came to the realization that its flag was identical to the flag of Haiti, even though Haiti did not participate in the Olympics that year. Because of this finding, the government added the prince's crown to the canton.[1][4][5] This change served two purposes – to signify Liechtenstein's position as a principality, and to distinguish its flag from Haiti's.[4][6] This modified design was adopted on June 24, 1937.[6]

Design[]

Construction[]

Construction sheet for the flag of Liechtenstein

  • 3:5

  • Pennant

  • Vertical

Symbolism[]

The colors and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue represents the sky, while red alludes to the "evening fires" that are lit inside houses throughout the country.[1] The crown – whose colour is disputed – epitomizes the "unity of the people and their prince."[1] While The World Factbook and Reuters describe it as gold in colour,[4][5] other sources – such as Whitney Smith in the Encyclopædia Britannica – describe it as yellow.[1][6]

Color scheme[]

Flag of Liechtenstein.svg
Colors scheme 		Blue Red Yellow
RAL 5010 3020 1016
CMYK 100-70-0-50 0-96-84-19 0-15-77-0
HEX #002780 #CF0921 #FFD93B
RGB 0-39-128 207-9-33 255-217-59

Government flags[]

  • Standard of the Prince of Liechtenstein

  • Standard of the Government of Liechtenstein

  • Banner of the Princely House of Liechtenstein

  • Pennant

  • Vertical

Flags of municipalities[]

The eleven municipalities each have their own flag.

Historical flags[]

Flag Duration Use Description
Flag of Liechtenstein (1719-1852).svg 1719–1852 Flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Two horizontal gold and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1852-1921).svg 1852–1921 Flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Two vertical blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1921-1937).svg 1921–1937 Flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Two horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1937-1982).svg 1937–1982 Flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein Two horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions, and princely crown in the canton

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Smith, Whitney (July 17, 2013). "Flag of Liechtenstein". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved June 26, 2014. (subscription required)
  2. ^ "Liechtenstein profile". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  3. ^ "History of Liechtenstein". Lonely Planet. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Liechtenstein". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Rainey, Venetia (July 24, 2012). "Flag bearing: a potted history". Reuters. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Kindersley, Dorling (November 3, 2008). Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 148. ISBN 9781405338615. Retrieved June 26, 2014.

External links[]

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