Flag of North Rhine-Westphalia

Last updated
North Rhine-Westphalia
Flag of North Rhine-Westphalia.svg
Landesflagge
Use Civil flag and ensign FIAV 100100.svg FIAV normal.svg
Proportion3:5 (or 1:2)
Adopted1953 (in use from 1948)
DesignA horizontal tricolour of green, white, and red.
Landesdienstflagge
Flag of North Rhine-Westphalia (state).svg
Use State flag FIAV 010000.svg FIAV normal.svg
Proportion3:5 (or 1:2)
Adopted1953 (in use from 1948)
DesignThe civil flag with the addition of the coat of arms.

The flag of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia is a horizontal tricolor consisting of green, white and red.

Contents

Overview

After the establishment of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1946, the tricolor was first introduced in 1948, but was not formally adopted until 1953. [1] The plain variant of the tricolor is considered the civil flag and state ensign, while government authorities use the state flag (Landesdienstflagge) which is defaced with the state's coat of arms. [1]

The flag is a combination of the two former provinces of Prussia that comprise most of the state: the Rhine Province and Westphalia. The state ensign can easily be mistaken for the flag of Hungary, as well as the former civil flag of Iran (Persia) (1910–1980) and the flag of the Parti patriote. The same flag was used by the Rhenish Republic (1923–1924) as a symbol of independence and freedom.

Flags from preceding Prussian provinces:
Flagge Preussen - Rheinland.svg Flagge Preussen - Provinz Westfalen.svg
Rhine Province
(1822–1946)
Westphalia
(1815–1946)

History

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Government of North Rhine-Westphalia (1953-03-10). "Gesetz über die Landesfarben, das Landeswappen und die Landesflagge" (in German). Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. Retrieved 2008-02-10.