25 National Flags And Their Meanings

Posted by , Updated on March 21, 2024

Originating on battlefields as a means of identification, national flags have come a long way since their bloody conception. Flying in courthouses, classrooms, and fire stations they typically hold symbolic significance for the nation and have complex meanings ingrained into their designs. So go ahead and test yourself on your flag knowledge because these are 25 national flags and their meanings.

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25

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Flag

Combining the crosses of the patron saints of England, Ireland, and Scotland, the Union Jack as it is sometimes called is one of the oldest flags in the world having been around since 1801.

24

Austria

Austrian flag

It has been said that when Duke Leopold V. of Austria returned from war his white battledress was soaked with blood. When he took off his belt, however, the cloth underneath was still white. Some will tell you to this day that this is what inspired the red and white stripes. At any rate, this flag is one of the few that are older than the Union Jack as it dates back to the year 1230.

23

Aruba

Aruba flag

There is a lot of dispute as to actual meaning of Aruba’s flag. Some say that the four pointed star represents the four main languages of the island, Papiamento, Spanish, English, and Dutch. The light blue is generally said to represent the sea and sky and the meaning of the yellow stripes has been up for debate with some theories proposing it has to do with Aruba’s gold industry while others claim the yellow stands for freedom or abundance.

22

Bangladesh

Bangladesh flag

As you may have noticed, the red circle on the flag is slightly off center. This is so that when the flag is flying on a mast it will appear to be in the middle. The green symbolized the country of Bangladesh with its green geography and youthfulness while the red symbolizes the rising sun and the sacrifices its citizens have made.

21

Ethiopia

Ethiopia flag

As the first African country to receive its independence, Ethiopia is often credited with the establishing green, yellow, and red (sometimes called the Pan African colors) that now symbolize African independence and unity.

20

Malaysia

Malaysia flag

It’s not hard to see that Malaysia has a history with England. The blue square in the upper left originally signified that connection. The 14 stripes represent the 13 member states and the federal district of Kuala Lumpur.

19

Nigeria

Nigeria flag

The green stripes represent Nigeria’s lush vegetation and its agriculture industry while the white stripe represents the desire for peace.

18

Canada

Canada flag

Also known as the “Maple Leaf Flag”, the maple leaf wasn’t actually added until many years later when Prime Minister Lester Pearson petitioned to have it included as during World War I he noticed many battalions including a maple leaf on their insignia.

17

Denmark

Denmark flag

With the white cross representing Christianity, the Danish flag is said to be the oldest flag in the world. According to legend it fell from the sky on June 15, 1219 when King Waldemar II defeated the Estonians in battle.

16

Myanmar (Burma)

Burma flag

Although the country has changed its name twice, the flag has remained the same. The blue symbolized peace and endurance, the red courage, and the white honor. The cogwheel and ears of rice represent the country’s agricultural industry and its workers.

15

United States

United States Flag

Sometimes referred to as the “Stars and Stripes”, or “Old Glory” the American flag features 13 stripes representing the original colonies and 50 stars representing the states in the union.

14

France

France flag

Known as the “French Tricolore” it is based on a red, white, and blue cockade that King Louis XVI wore while addressing a revolutionary gathering in Paris.

13

Greece

Greece flag

While the Greek flag has stayed largely the same, the shade of blue has changed numerous times since the Greek Revolutionary War against the Ottoman Turks.

12

South Africa

South Africa flag

Although the colors have no official meaning the red, green, and black are derived from Nelson Mandela’s political party, the African National Congress, and the former Boer Republics. The Y shape is said to reference the convergence of cultures in the nation.

11

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda flag

As one of the more unique country flags, this one was designed by a high school art teacher. The sun signifies the dawning of a new era after gaining its independence, the red represents the energy of the people, and the blue signifies hope.

10

Ghana

Ghana flag

Carrying on what Ethiopia started, Ghana’s flag features the Pan African colors of red, yellow, and green. It takes things a step further, however, with the color black that is now often included in African flags to symbolize the people and their freedom.

9

Germany

Germany flag

Although black, red, and gold have represented Germany since medieval times, the current colors are said to represent the 19th century volunteers who fought on behalf of the country in the Napoleonic Wars.

8

Australia

Australia Flag

The Australian flag features a Union Jack (it was mandatory at the time for all British Colonies), a seven pointed star representing each of Australia’s six states as well as one point for its territories, and a series of stars representing the Southern Cross constellation which is visible from everywhere in Australia.

7

Botswana

Botswana flag

The colors on the country flag are the same as those on the coat of arms. The blue symbolizes water (the motto on the coat of arms is “let there be rain”), the black and white represent racial harmony, and the stripes were inspired by the country’s national animal, the zebra.

6

Vietnam

Vietnam flag

The red represents the blood spilled as the country fought for its independence while the 5 points of the yellow star represent the union of workers, soldiers, peasants, young people, and intellectuals working together to build socialism.

5

Bahamas

Bahamas flag

The yellow stripe represents the sandy beaches of the 700 Bahamian islands, the blue represents the water, and the black triangle represents the Bahamian people along with their desire to develop the land and the sea.

4

Paraguay

Paraguay Flag

One of many flags inspired by the French, its colors symbolize liberty and independence. The coat of arms represents May 14, 1811, the date of Paraguay’s independence.

3

Chad and Romania

Chad and Romania flag

Although the two countries are on completely different continents and have had almost nothing to do with each other, their flags are exactly the same.

2

Czech Republic

Czech Republic flag

The red and white are traditional Bohemian colors and were primarily adopted so as to be easily recognized in battle. The blue wedge was actually added later so as to distinguish the Czech flag from the Polish flag.

1

India

India Flag

The flag of India is sometimes called the “tiranga” which means “tricolor” in Hindi. When it was introduced in 1931 the stripes represented the two main groups in India. The green was the Muslims and the orange was the Hindus. The white stripe represented the desire for their to be peace between them. The meanings, however, have been updated since then. The wheel in the middle has 24 spokes, each one supposedly representing one hour of the day.



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