Flag of Switzerland
Europe
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Bern
- Flag adopted
- 1841
- Population
- 9,082,848
- Area
- 41,284 km²
- Languages
- French, Swiss German, Italian, Romansh
- Currency
- Swiss franc (Fr.) — CHF
- Demonym
- Swiss
- Government
- federal republic
- Subregion
- Western Europe
- Driving side
- Right
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
Religions
- Roman Catholic 34.4%
- None 29.4%
- Protestant 28.2%
- Muslim 5.4%
- Other 1.5%
- Unspecified 1.1%
About This Flag
The flag of Switzerland features a white couped (free-standing) cross on a red field. It is one of only two square sovereign state flags in the world (the other being Vatican City's).
The white cross has been used as a Swiss military insignia since the 14th century, and the red field became the standard background in the early 19th century. The symbol is rooted in the Old Swiss Confederacy's use of cross-marked banners in battle, possibly referencing the martyrdom of the Theban Legion (Christian Roman soldiers who were massacred in Valais).
The flag was officially adopted in its current square form on December 12, 1889. The International Committee of the Red Cross reversed the Swiss flag's colors (red cross on white) as its emblem in 1863 to honor Switzerland's neutrality.
What the colors & design mean
The white cross represents Christianity, honesty, and neutrality. Red symbolizes the blood shed by Swiss soldiers and the valor of the Swiss people. The square format distinguishes it from virtually all other national flags.
Pattern: Solid Field
Bordering countries (5)
Fun Facts
- Switzerland's flag is one of only two square national flags in the world — the other is Vatican City's.
- The International Red Cross reversed Switzerland's flag colors (red cross on white background) for its emblem in 1863, as a tribute to Switzerland's role as the birthplace and host of the organization.
- Switzerland has been officially neutral since the Congress of Vienna in 1815, making its flag one of the most recognized symbols of neutrality and humanitarian principles in the world.
- The flag's design is so strictly defined that the cross arms must be one-sixth longer than they are wide, and each arm extends to 1/5 of the flag's edge — detailed specifications for such a simple-looking design.
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