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 found out at the Summer Olympics held the previous year that their flag was identical to the civil flag of Haiti.

History

Liechtenstein was formed in 1719 as a principality within the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. From the accession of Otto I in 962 ...

and gained complete independence in 1866. 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. A new constitution for the Principality was formulated and proclaimed in October 1921. It made the blue and red banner the national flag by granting it "official status". Fifteen years later, during the 1936 Summer Olympics, the country came to the realization that its flag was identical to the

flag of Haiti The flag of Haiti (Haitian French, French: , ht, drapo Ayiti) is the national flag of the Haiti, Republic of Haiti. It is a Bicolour (flag), bicolour flag featuring two horizontal bands coloured blue and red, emblazoned by a white rectangular p ...

(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. This change served two purposes – to signify Liechtenstein's position as a principality, and to distinguish its flag from Haiti's. This modified design was adopted on 24 June 1937.

Design

Construction

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. The crown is gold or yellow in colour.

Color scheme

Other flags of Liechtenstein

Government flags

Municipal flags

Each of the eleven

municipalities A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...

has its own flag.

Historical flags

References

External links

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Original Law text
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liechtenstein, Flag Of National flags Flag Flags introduced in 1937