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This is a list of flags used by and in Germany between 1848 and now. For more information about the current national flag, see flag of Germany.
National and merchant flag (Bundes- und Handelsflagge)
A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom).
1950–present
State flag and ensign (Bundesdienstflagge) and military flag (Kriegsflagge). This flag may only be used by federal government authorities.
The national flag with the Bundesschild (a variant of the coat of arms of Germany) in the centre. The flag was originally used 1921–1933 in the Weimar Republic. While identical in heraldic terms to the original Weimar era flag, the modern exact design is slightly simplified.
National flag with coat of arms (Bundesflagge mit Bundeswappen). Unofficial version, the private use of which is not penalized.
1996–present
Hanging national flag (Bannerflagge)
1996–present
Hanging state flag
Presidential standard[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1921–1926; since 1950
Standard of the President of Germany
The standard depicts the elements of the coat of arms. A version of the standard that is identical in heraldic terms, but with a slightly different exact design, was used 1926–1933.
Military and state flags[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1956–
War ensign and jack (Seekriegsflagge und Gösch) of the German Navy
Most municipalities have unique flags. Like state flags, most of them are with either a bicolor or tricolor stipes with or without the emblem ("wappen").
A non-rectangular flag depicting a white cross on a red field
1400s
War flag of the Holy Roman Empire
A non-rectangular flag depicting a black eagle on a yellow field with a red bar on top
1400s
War flag of the Holy Roman Empire
Red swords crossed on top of one another on a field. The top of the field is black and the bottom of the field is white.
early 1400s
Imperial Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor
An Imperial Eagle displayed with a halo sable armed and langued gules [2]
c. 1430-1806
Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE
A black double-headed eagle with haloes on a yellow field
c. 1430-1806
Another banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE
A black double-headed eagle without haloes on a yellow field
1437–1493
Banner of Emperor Frederick III
A black double-headed eagle with the coat of arms of Austria on a yellow field
1493–1556
Banner of Maximilian I. Charles V continued using this banner.
A black double-headed eagle with the combined arms of Austria and Burgundy on a yellow field
1519–1556
Another imperial banner of Charles V
A black double-headed eagle with an escutcheon of the coat of arms of Charles V on a yellow field
Teutonic Order State and Prussia (1226–1935)[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1226–1525
Flag of the Teutonic Order State
A black Nordic Cross on a white field
1466 – 1772
Flag of Royal Prussia
A black eagle with a sword sticking out of its neck on a white field
1525-1701
Flag of Ducal Prussia
A black eagle with the letter 's' on a white field
1701–1750
First flag of the Kingdom in Prussia
A black eagle holding a rod and orb on a white field, a crown on top
1701-1935
Civil flag of Prussia
The top of the flag is black and the bottom of the flag is white
1750–1801
Second flag of the Kingdom in Prussia and first flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
A black eagle holding a sword and rod on a white field, a crown on top
1801-1803
Second flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
Basically the same as the previous flag, but the crown in the top of the flag is larger, the rod is a bit different, and the black eagle doesn't have yellow arm plates.
1803-1892
Third flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
Basically the same as the previous flag, but the crown in the top of the flag is smaller.
1816
War flag of Prussia
A smaller black crowned eagle with yellow arm plates, a rod and orb, all on a white field with an Iron Cross in the upper-left corner
On a red field, an Iron Cross is shown. in the center of the Iron Cross, the Imperial Eagle with a crown right on top of the eagle is shown. Around the eagle and crown, words spell the phrase: "Gott mit uns", meaning: "God with us."
1871-1892
Royal Standard of the Crown Prince of Prussia
Basically the same as the previous flag, but on a white field, instead of a red one.
1892-1918
Fourth flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
In the center of a white field, the Imperial Eagle is shown. Above and below the white field, black, thin lines are shown.
1895–1918
War flag of Prussia
A non-rectangular flag depicting an Imperial Eagle in the center of a white field, and in the upper-left corner, a thinned-out Iron Cross is shown
1918-1933
Flag of the Free State of Prussia
Basically the same as the fourth flag of the Kingdom of Prussia, but with a regular eagle, and the black lines are a bit thicker.
1933-1935
Service flag of the Free State of Prussia
Basically the same as the previous flag, but the phrase "Gott mit uns" reappears, and the eagle is holding a sword and two lightning bolts. The eagle also has a Naziswastika on the chest.
German Confederation (1815–1866)[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1848–1866
Flag of the German Confederation, used in 1848-1849 and again in 1863–1866 First appeared within the Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz after 12 May 1778 (4:5 aspect ratio)
Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz)
1921–1926
State ensign (Dienstflagge zur See)
1926–1933
State ensign (Dienstflagge zur See)
1919–1921 (de jure)
Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge)
1921–1933
Reich war flag
1921–1933
Marine jack (Kriegsgösch)
1921–1926
Standard of the President
1926–1933
Standard of the President
1919–1921
Flag of the President
1919–1921
Flag of Defence Minister
1921–1933
Flag of Defence Minister
1924–1933; since 1953
Flag of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold
The Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold was an unofficial republican paramilitary organization dominated by social democrats, liberals, and members of the Catholic Centre Party, to defend the Weimar Republic against National Socialists, communists, and monarchists. Refounded in 1953 as an association for political education.
The flag with the swastika and white disc centered was used throughout (1920–1945) as the NSDAP party flag (Parteiflagge).[3] Between 1933 and 1935, it was used as the national flag (Nationalflagge) and merchant flag (Handelsflagge) – interchangeably with the black-white-red horizontal tricolour last used (up to 1918) by the German Empire. In 1935, the black-white-red horizontal tricolour was scrapped again, and the flag with the off-center swastika and disc was instituted as the only national flag (and was to remain as such until 1945). The flag with the centered disc only continued to be used as the Parteiflagge after 1935.
State flag (Staatsflagge) 1959–1990 Merchant flag (Handelsflagge) 1973–1990
Tricolour of black, red, and yellow (same as West German colours), but bears the coat of arms of East Germany, consisting of a compass and a hammer encircled with rye
Regimental colours (Truppenfahne) of Nationale Volksarmee
1960–1990
Naval ensign (Seekriegsflagge) of the Volksmarine
1962–1990
Flag of boats of the Border Troops
1989–1990
Defaced state flag
Used by supporters of German reunification in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Historic flag proposals[]
Note: Ottfried Neubecker's proposal of 1919 and those of Josef Wirmer in 1944 and of his brother Ernst in 1948 are clearly modeled on the Nordic Cross flags used in all Nordic countries – the flags of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland all having the same horizontal cross, though differing in color.
