Flag of Liechtenstein

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Principality of Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg
Use Civil and state flag FIAV 110000.svg FIAV normal.svg IFIS Mirror.svg IFIS Vertical inapplicable.svg
Proportion3:5 [1]
Adopted30 June 1982;43 years ago (1982-06-30)
DesignA horizontal bicolour of blue and red, charged with a gold crown in the canton

The national flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein (German : Flagge Liechtensteins) consists of two horizontal bands, one blue and one red, 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 discovered at the Summer Olympics held the previous year that their flag was identical to the Haitian civil flag. A design with a modified crown was adopted on 30 June 1982.

Contents

History

When flown vertically, the crown on the flag is rotated so that it always faces upwards. Liechtenstein schaan flags 2009-08-15.jpg
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 (Haiti took part in the Opening Ceremony but its sole athlete did not compete). 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 24 June 1937. [6] A design with a modified crown was adopted on 30 June 1982.

Design

Construction

Construction sheet for the flag of Liechtenstein Flag of Liechtenstein (construction).svg
Construction sheet for the flag of Liechtenstein

Symbolism

The colours 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 is gold [4] [5] or yellow [1] in colour. [6]

Color scheme

Flag of Liechtenstein.svg
Colour scheme
BlueRedYellowBlack
RAL 5010302010169005
CMYK 100-70-0-500-96-84-190-15-77-00-0-0-100
HEX #002780#CF0921#FFD93B#000000
RGB 0-39-128207-9-33255-217-590-0-0

Other flags of Liechtenstein

Government flags

FlagDurationUseDescription
Liechtenstein princelystandard 1912.png 1912–1957Standard of the Prince of Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein (1719-1852).svg 1957–1982Standard of the Prince of Liechtenstein
Standard of the Prince of Liechtenstein.svg 1982–presentStandard of the Prince of Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein (state).svg 1982–presentStandard of the Government of Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein princely house.svg Banner of the Princely House of Liechtenstein
Flag of Liechtenstein princely house pennant.svg Pennant
Flag of Liechtenstein princely house vertical.svg Vertical

Municipal flags

Each of the eleven municipalities has its own flag, all flown as vertical banners.

FlagMunicipalityAdoptedDescription
Flag of Balzers Liechtenstein-1.svg Balzers in Liechtenstein.svg Balzers
Flag of Eschen Liechtenstein-1.svg Eschen in Liechtenstein.svg Eschen
Flag of Gamprin Liechtenstein-1.svg Gamprin in Liechtenstein.svg Gamprin
Flag of Mauren Liechtenstein-1.svg Mauren in Liechtenstein.svg Mauren
Flag of Planken Liechtenstein-1.svg Planken in Liechtenstein.svg Planken
Flag of Ruggell Liechtenstein-1.svg Ruggell in Liechtenstein.svg Ruggell
Flag of Schaan Liechtenstein-1.svg Schaan in Liechtenstein.svg Schaan
Flag of Schellenberg Liechtenstein-1.svg Schellenberg in Liechtenstein.svg Schellenberg
Flag of Triesen Liechtenstein-1.svg Triesen in Liechtenstein.svg Triesen
Flag of Triesenberg Liechtenstein-1.svg Triesenberg in Liechtenstein.svg Triesenberg
Flag of Vaduz Liechtenstein-1.svg Vaduz in Liechtenstein.svg Vaduz

Historical flags

FlagDurationUseDescription
Flag of Liechtenstein (unknown-1719) 1.svg 1437–1719 Lordship of Schellenberg
Flag of Liechtenstein (unknown-1719) 2.svg 1342–1719 County of Vaduz
Flag of Liechtenstein (1719-1852).svg 1719–1852Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal gold and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1852-1921).svg 1852–1921Principality of LiechtensteinTwo vertical blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1921-1937).svg 1921–1937Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
Flag of Liechtenstein (1937-1982).svg 1937–1982Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions, and princely crown in the canton

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  3. "History of Liechtenstein". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Liechtenstein". The World Factbook. CIA. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Rainey, Venetia (July 24, 2012). "Flag bearing: a potted history". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Kindersley, Dorling (November 3, 2008). Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 148. ISBN   9781405338615 . Retrieved June 26, 2014.