List of flags with reverses that differ from the obverse

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This article contains a list of flags for which the reverse (back FIAV reverse.svg ) is different from the obverse (front FIAV normal.svg ). It includes current as well as historic flags of both nations and national subdivisions such as provinces, states, territories, cities and other administrations (including a few that are not recognized by the United Nations or whose sovereignty is in dispute). When the flag is that of a nation, the Subdivision column is blank ( — ).

Contents

The list below does not include flags for which the reverse side is congruent (identical IFIS Equal.svg ) nor is it a mirror image of the obverse side (horizontally flipped IFIS Mirror.svg ). Flag sides are usually mirror copy to satisfy manufacturing constraints. Identical flags are much less common and contain an element for which a simple mirror image would be problematic, such as text (e.g. The flag of Saudi Arabia includes the Shahada, an Islamic creed; The flag of Iraq includes the Takbir) or a geographic feature (e.g. The flag of the United Nations includes an azimuthal equidistant projection of the earth). Flags having a truly different designs on both their sides (two-sided FIAV twosided.svg ) differ from the norm. The only UN-recognized nation whose present-day flag officially contains a unique image on each side is Paraguay.

Not all impression of two-sided flags are de facto two-sided because of practical manufacturing constraints or, judging from how often it was disregarded in practice, some formal concern of heraldic nature. As such it may very well be prescribed legally from the very beginning and ever ignored in practice by institutions of every type.

Many of those flags are reconstructions based on various degree of evidence.

Flags by nation

List of two-sided flags FIAV twosided.svg
NationSubdivisionDates Obverse FIAV normal.svg Reverse FIAV reverse.svg Notes
Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina San Juan 2018–present Flag of the San Juan Province.svg Flag of the San Juan Province (reverse).svg Flag of San Juan
1997–2018 Bandera de la Provincia de San Juan.svg Bandera de la Provincia de San Juan (reverso).svg
Flag of Austria-Hungary (1867-1918).svg Austria-Hungary Common Army 1867–1918 Regimental Flag of the Imperial-Royal Landwehr, Cerimonial Flag of the Gardebataillon and Standard of the Common Army (Obverse).svg Cerimonial Flag of the Gardebataillon and Standard of the Common Army (Reverse).svg Austro-Hungarian Army
Imperial-Royal Landwehr


Regimental Flag of the Imperial-Royal Landwehr (Reverse).svg
Royal Croatian Home Guard Colors of the Royal Croatian Home Guard.svg Reverse Colors of the Royal Croatian Home Guard.svg
Royal Hungarian Honvéd Colors of the Royal Hungarian Honved.svg Reverse Colors of the Royal Hungarian Honved.svg
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Azerbaijan Internal Troops 2002–present Flag of the Azerbaijani Internal Troops.svg Flag of the Azerbaijani Internal Troops (reverse).svg Flag of Azerbaijan
Flag of Bangladesh.svg Bangladesh 1971–1972 Flag of Bangladesh (1971).svg Flag of Bangladesh (1971 reverse).svg Flag of Bangladesh
Flag of Belarus.svg Belarus Presidential Security Service 1995–present Flag of the Presidential Security Service of Belarus (Obverse).svg Flag of the Presidential Seurity Service of Belarus (Reverse).png List of Belarusian flags
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil Paraíba 1965–present Bandeira da Paraiba.svg Bandeira da Paraiba (verso).svg Flag of Paraíba
Piauí 1922–present Bandeira do Piaui.svg Bandeira do Piaui (verso).svg Flag of Piauí
São Paulo 1922–present Bandeira do estado de Sao Paulo.svg Bandeira do estado de Sao Paulo (verso).svg Flag of São Paulo
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg British Empire Province of New York 1775–1777 George Rex flag.svg George Rex flag reverse.svg George Rex Flag
New York Union Flag (1775).svg New York Union Flag (1775) reverse.svg
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria Stara Zagora 1996–present Flag of Stara Zagora (obverse).svg Flag of Stara Zagora (reverse).svg Flag of Stara Zagora
Flag of the Comoros.svg Comoros 1996–2001 Flag of the Comoros (1996-2001).svg Flag of the Comoros (1996-2001, reverse).svg Flag of the Comoros
Flag of East Timor.svg East Timor National Council of Maubere Resistance 1998–2002 Flag of the National Council of Maubere Resistance (CNRT).svg Flag of the National Council of Maubere Resistance (CNRT) (Reverse).svg Flag of East Timor
Flag of El Salvador.svg El Salvador 1877–Nov 2 1898 and Nov 30 1898–1912 Flag of El Salvador (1877-1912).svg Flag of El Salvador (1877-1912) reverse.svg Flag of El Salvador
Flag of Ethiopia (1897-1936; 1941-1974).svg Ethiopian Empire Imperial Standard 1962–1975 Ethiopian imperial standard of Haile Selassie I (obverse).svg Ethiopian imperial standard of Haile Selassie I (reverse).svg Haile Selassie
Flag of the Republic of Formosa (1895).svg Republic of Formosa 1895 Flag of Formosa 1895.svg Simplified Yellow Tiger Flag (backside).svg Flag of the Republic of Formosa [1]
Flag of Hungary.svg Hungarian People's Republic Scout Association 1970 Flag of the Hungarian Scout Association (1970s).svg Flag of the Hungarian Scout Association (1970s; reverse).svg [ dubious discuss ] Flag of Hungary
Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary Csernely 1991–present Flag of Csernely.svg Flag of Csernely (reverse).svg Flag of Csernely
Dömsöd ?–present Flag of Domsod.svg Flag of Domsod (reverse).svg Flag of Dömsöd
Dorog 1919–present Flag of Dorog.svg Flag of Dorog (reverse).svg Flag of Dorog
Kecel ?–present Flag of Kecel.svg Flag of Kecel (reverse).svg Flag of Kecel
Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland President of Iceland 1944–present Presidential Standard of Iceland.svg Presidential Standard of Iceland (reverse).svg Flag of Iceland
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia Indonesian National Armed Forces ?–present Flag of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.svg Flag of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (reverse).png Flag of Indonesia
Indonesian Army Flag of the Indonesian Army.svg Flag of the Indonesian Army (reverse).png
Indonesian Navy Flag of the Indonesian Navy.svg Flag of the Indonesian Navy (reverse).png
Indonesian Air Force Flag of the Indonesian Air Force.svg Flag of the Indonesian Air Force (reverse).png
Indonesian National Police Flag of the Indonesian National Police.png Flag of the Indonesian National Police (reverse).png
Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia Prime Minister of Latvia 1995–present Flag of the Prime Minister of Latvia.svg Flag of the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia.svg Flag of Latvia
Speaker of the Saeima 1995–present Flag of the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia.svg Flag of the Prime Minister of Latvia.svg
Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania State flag 1918–1940 Lietuvos Respublikos Valst. veliava iki 1940.svg President used a variant with aspect ratio of 1:1. [2]
Lithuanian Armed Forces ?–2024 Flag of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (obverse).png Flag of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (reverse).png List of flags of Lithuania
2024–present Lithuanian Armed Forces Battle flag (obverse).png Lithuanian Armed Forces Battle flag (reverse).png
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg Army of Luxembourg 1982–present Army Colours of Luxembourg (Obverse).svg Colours of the Army of Luxembourg (Reverse).svg Flag of Luxembourg

On military flag and emblems (I). The Grand Ducal Order. 15 February 1982.

Flag of Madagascar.svg Madagascar President of Madagascar 1959–1972 Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1959-1972).svg Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1959-1972, reverse).svg Flag of Madagascar
1972–1975 Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1972-1975).svg Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1972-1975, reverse).svg
1976–1993 Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1976-1993).svg Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1976-1993, reverse).svg
1993–1996 Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1993-1996).svg Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1993-1996, reverse).svg
1998–2002 Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1998-2002).svg Presidential Standard of Madagascar (1998-2002, reverse).svg
Flag of the Moldavian Democratic Republic.svg Moldavian Democratic Republic — and Sfatul Țării 1999–present Flag of Sfatul Tarii obverse.svg Flag of Sfatul Tarii reverse.svg Flag of Moldova
Flag of Moldavia.svg Moldavia Infantry Battalion 1346–1859 Princely standards of the Principality of Moldavia (14th-19th century).png Flag and coat of arms of Moldavia

We have very little information on ancient Moldavian and Wallachian flags. For Moldavia the most important symbol has always been the wild ox head, which is still to be found on the flag of the new Moldavian republic. In early times the red prevailed on other colours: on standards, the wild ox head appeared on the recto, while the verso represented St. George killing the dragon. It seems that this standard was adopted by Bogdan I and maintained by Stephan the Great and successors. In the following century (XIX) the blue was added. According to an 1813 document, under prince Scarlat Calimachi the princely standard was red, yellow and blue on the recto (without any symbol), while on the verso was St George riding a horse on a blue field. Another document, dated 1814, again reports a red standard. Michael II Sutu (1819-21) had a blue flag with the wild ox head on the recto and red with St George the verso. The two Moldavian flags above from the XV-XVI c. are in Bucharest museum.

Infantry Battalion 1834–1849
Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova 1990–2010 Flag of Moldova (1990-2010).svg Flag of Moldova (1990-2010, reverse).svg Flag of Moldova
Information and Security Service 1999–present Flag of the Information and Security Service of Moldova.png
Gagauzia 1995–present Flag of Gagauzia.svg Old Flag of Gagauzia.svg [ dubious discuss ] Flag of Gagauzia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany 1935–1945 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Flag of German Reich 1935-1945 (reverse).svg Flag of Nazi Germany
Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea Ministry of Defence 2023–present Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (Normal).svg Flag of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (Reverse).svg List of North Korean flags
Korean People's Army 1948 Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948).svg Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948, reverse).svg
1948–1961 Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948-1961).svg

For Guards only up to 1961:
Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948-1961, for Guards).svg

Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948-1961, reverse).svg

For Guards only up to 1961:
Flag of the Korean People's Army (1948, reverse for Guards).svg

1961–1992 Flag of the Korean People's Army (1961).svg Flag of the Korean People's Army (1961-1993, reverse).svg
1992–1993 Flag of the Korean People's Army (1992).svg


Korean People's Army Ground Force 2023–present Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force (2023-).svg Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force (Reverse).svg
Korean People's Army Air Force 2023–present Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Obverse).svg Flag of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force (Reverse).svg
Korean People's Navy 2023–present Flag of the Korean People's Army Navy (Obverse).svg Flag of the Korean People's Army Navy (Reverse).svg
Korean People's Army Strategic Rocket Force 2018–2020 Flag of Korean People's Army Strategic Force.svg Flag of Korean People's Army Strategic Force (reverse).svg
Korean People's Army Special Operation Force 2018–2020 Flag of the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force.svg Flag of the Korean People's Army Special Operation Force (reverse).svg
Worker-Peasant Red Guards 2023–present Flag of the Worker-Peasent Red Guards (Normal).svg Flag of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards (Reverse).svg
Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay 1842–1954 Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg Flag of Paraguay (reverse 1842-1954).svg Flag of Paraguay
1954–1988 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Flag of Paraguay (reverse 1954-1988).svg
1988–1990 Flag of Paraguay (1988-1990).svg Flag of Paraguay (1988-1990, reverse).svg
1990 Flag of Paraguay (1990-2013, 3-2).svg Flag of Paraguay (reverse 1990-2013, 3-2).svg
1990–2013 Flag of Paraguay (1990-2013).svg Flag of Paraguay (reverse 1990-2013).svg
2013–present Flag of Paraguay.svg Flag of Paraguay (reverse).svg
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 1898–1901 Philippines Aguinaldo flag (obverse).svg Philippines Aguinaldo flag (reverse).svg Flag of the Philippines
  • Obverse has "Fuerzas Expeditionarias del Norte de Luzon" inscribed
  • Reverse has the words "Libertad Justicia e Igualdad" inscribed.
Flag of Thailand.svg Rattanakosin Kingdom Siamese Expeditionary Forces 1917–1919 Flag of the Siamese Expeditionary Force in World War I (Obverse).svg Flag of the Siamese Expeditionary Force in World War I (Reverse).svg Flag of the Rattanakosin Kingdom
Flag of Romania.svg Romania Romanian Air Force 1992–present Flag of the Romanian Air Force (obverse).svg 1 3 SMFA steag.jpg List of Romanian flags
Romanian General Staff Flag of the Romanian General Staff (Obverse).svg 1 1 SMG steag.jpg
Romanian Land Forces Flag of the Romanian Land Forces (Obverse).svg 1 2 SMFT steag.jpg
Romanian Naval Forces Flag of the Romanian Naval Forces (Obverse).svg 1 4 SMFN steag.jpg
Battle flag 1950–1952 Battle flag of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg Battle flag of Romania (1950-1965, reverse).svg
1952–1965 Battle flag of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg


1966–1989 Battle flag of Romania (1966-1989, obverse).svg Battle flag of Romania (1966-1989, reverse).svg
Romanian Air Force 1950–1952 Flag of Air Force of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg Flag of Air Force of Romania (1950-1965, reverse).svg
1952–1965 Flag of Air Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg


Romanian Patriotic Guards 1977–1989 Flag of Patriotic Guards of Romania (1977-1989, obverse).svg Flag of Patriotic Guards of Romania (1977-1989, reverse).svg
Romanian Naval Forces 1950–1951 Flag of Naval Force of Romania (1950-1951, obverse).svg Flag of Naval Force of Romania (1950-1965, reverse).svg


1952–1965 Flag of terrestrial units of the Naval Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg


Flag of Russia.svg Russia Mari El 1992–2006 Flag of Mari El 1992-2006.svg Flag of Mari El 1992-2006 (reverse).svg Flag of Mari El
Gorodishchensky District 2002–2012 Flag of Gorodischensky rayon (Volgograd oblast) (2002).png Flag of Gorodischensky rayon (Volgograd oblast, revers) (2002).png Flag of the Gorodishchensky District
Russian Armed Forces 2003–present List of Russian flags
Russian Ground Forces 2002–present
Russian Aerospace Forces 2002–present Flag of Russian Aerospace Forces - recto.svg Flag of Russian Aerospace Forces - verso.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia Civil ensign 1980–present Civil Ensign of Saudi Arabia (obverse).svg Civil Ensign of Saudi Arabia.svg Flag of Saudi Arabia
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 1923–1991 Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Flag of the Soviet Union (reverse).svg Flag of the Soviet Union
Armenian SSR 1952–1990 Flag of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1952-1990).svg Flag of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (1952-1990, reverse).svg Flag of Armenian SSR
Azerbaijan SSR 1952–1991 Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1952-1991, reverse).svg Flag of Azerbaijan SSR
Byelorussian SSR 1951–1991 Flag of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (1951-1991, reverse).svg Flag of Byelorussian SSR
Estonian SSR 1953–1990 Flag of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1990, reverse).svg Flag of Estonian SSR
Georgian SSR 1951–1990 Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1951-1990, reverse).svg Flag of Georgian SSR
Karelo-Finnish SSR 1953–1956 Flag of the Karelo-Finnish SSR.svg Flag of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1956, reverse).svg Flag of Karelo-Finnish SSR
Kazakh SSR 1953–1992 Flag of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1991); Flag of Kazakhstan (1991-1992).svg Flag of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1991, reverse); Flag of Kazakhstan (1991-1992, reverse).svg Flag of Kazakh SSR
Kirghiz SSR 1952–1992 Flag of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic (reverse).svg Flag of Kirghiz SSR
Latvian SSR 1953–1990 Flag of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (reverse).svg Flag of Latvian SSR
Lithuanian SSR 1953–1988 Flag of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (reverse).svg Flag of Lithuanian SSR
Moldavian SSR 1952–1990 Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1952-1990, reverse).svg Flag of Moldavian SSR
Russian SFSR 1954–1991 Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1954-1991, reverse).svg Flag of the Russian SFSR
Tajik SSR 1953–1992 Flag of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1991, reverse); Flag of Tajikistan (1991-1992, reverse).svg Flag of Tajik SSR
Turkmen SSR 1953–1992 Flag of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (1953-1991, reverse); Flag of Turkmenistan (1991-1992, reverse).svg Flag of Turkmen SSR
Ukrainian SSR 1949–1991 Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1949-1991, reverse).svg Flag of Ukrainian SSR
Uzbek SSR 1952–1991 Flag of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.svg Flag of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (1952-1991, reverse).svg Flag of Uzbek SSR
Soviet Army 1946–1992 Red Army flag.svg Red Army flag (reverse).svg List of Russian flags
Flag of Spain.svg Spain Almendros 1988–present Bandera de Almendros (anverso).svg Bandera de Almendros (reverso).svg List of Spanish flags
Arapiles 1993–present Bandera de Arapiles.svg Bandera de Arapiles reverso.svg
Burgueta 2001–present Bandera de Burgueta (Anverso).svg Bandera de Burgueta(reverso).svg
Puebla de Almenara 1988–present Bandera de Puebla de Almenara (Anverso).svg Bandera de Puebla de Almenara (Reverso).svg
Villarrubio 1988–present Bandera de Villarrubio (Anverso).svg Bandera de Villarrubio (Reverso).svg
Flag of Transnistria (state).svg Transnistria 1991–present Flag of Transnistria (state).svg Flag of Transnistria.svg Flag of Transnistria
Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam People's Army of Vietnam 1991–present Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam.svg Flag of the People's Army of Vietnam (reverse).svg Flag of Vietnam
Vietnam People's Public Security 1991–present Flag of the People's Public Security of Vietnam.svg Flag of the People's Public Security of Vietnam (reverse).svg
Flag of the United States.svg United States Alabama 1861–1865 Flag of Alabama (1861, obverse).svg Alabama 1861 Reverse.svg Flag of Alabama
Massachusetts 1908–1971 Flag of Massachusetts.svg Flag of Massachusetts (1908-1971).svg Flag of Massachusetts
Minnesota 1893–1957 Flag of Minnesota (1893-1957).svg Flag of Minnesota (1893).svg Flag of Minnesota
Oregon 1925–present Flag of Oregon.svg Flag of Oregon (reverse).svg Flag of Oregon
Raleigh, North Carolina 1960–present Flag of Raleigh, North Carolina.svg Flag of Raleigh, North Carolina (reverse).svg Flag of Raleigh, North Carolina
Richmond, Virginia 1914–1933 Flag of Richmond, Virginia (1914-1933).png Flag of Richmond, Virginia (1914-1933, reverse).gif Flag of Richmond, Virginia
West Virginia 1905–1907 Flag of West Virginia (1905-1907).svg Flag of West Virginia (1905-1907) reverse.png Flag of West Virginia, Carmine red fringe
1907–1929 Flag of West Virginia (1907-1929).png Flag of West Virginia (1905-1907).svg Flag of West Virginia, Old gold fringe

See also

Citations

  1. Liu, Nancy (January 28, 2013). "Flag of our forebears". Taipei Times . Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  2. "Central Lithuania (Vilnius Republic)". Flags of the World . Retrieved October 12, 2022.