Flag of Liechtenstein

The national flag of the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Flagge Liechtensteins) consists of two horizontal blue and red bands 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 found out at the Summer Olympics held the previous year that their flag was identical to the civil flag of Haiti.

Principality of Liechtenstein
UseCivil and state flag
Proportion3:5[1]
Adopted30 June 1982
DesignA horizontal bicolour of blue and red, charged with a gold crown in the canton

History
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 their 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]

Design

Construction
Construction sheet for the flag of Liechtenstein
  • 3:5
  • Pennant
  • Vertical

Symbolism

The colors 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 – whose colour is disputed – epitomizes the "unity of the people and their prince."[1] While The World Factbook and Reuters describe it as gold in colour,[4][5] other sources – such as Whitney Smith in the Encyclopædia Britannica – describe it as yellow.[1][6]

Color scheme

Colors scheme		 Blue Red Yellow
RAL501030201016
CMYK100-70-0-500-96-84-190-15-77-0
HEX #002780 #CF0921 #FFD93B
RGB 0-39-128 207-9-33 255-217-59

Government flags

Flags of municipalities

The eleven municipalities each have their own flag.

Historical flags
FlagDurationUseDescription
1719–1852Flag of the Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal gold and red bands at 3:5 proportions
1852–1921Flag of the Principality of LiechtensteinTwo vertical blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
1921–1937Flag of the Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions
1937–1982Flag of the Principality of LiechtensteinTwo horizontal blue and red bands at 3:5 proportions, and princely crown in the canton

References
  1. 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. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  3. "History of Liechtenstein". Lonely Planet. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. "Liechtenstein". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  5. Rainey, Venetia (July 24, 2012). "Flag bearing: a potted history". Reuters. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  6. Kindersley, Dorling (November 3, 2008). Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 148. ISBN 9781405338615. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
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