Official Palette
Symbolism
The colors black, red, and gold are derived from the 19th-century Lützow Free Corps uniforms: black coats with red trim and gold buttons. They symbolize the quest for national unity, democracy, and freedom in the German states.
History
Originally adopted by the Frankfurt Parliament in 1848, the tricolor was later used by the Weber Republic (1919–1933). It was restored by both West and East Germany in 1949 and remains the symbol of the reunited Germany since 1990.
Construction
The flag has a 3:5 aspect ratio. It consists of three equal horizontal bands: black at the top, red in the middle, and gold (not yellow) at the bottom.
Color Meanings
Country Facts
- Population
- 83.6M
8.9% of Europe
- Capital
- Berlin
- Languages
- German
- Continent
- Europe
- Subregion
- Central Europe
- Landlocked
- No
- ISO 3166-1
- DE
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- May 23, 1949
- Proportions
3:5 (≈1.667)
- Total Colors
- 3
- Primary Layout
- Horizontal bands
Influences
Lookalike Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of high-confusion flags, comparing exact color shades, proportions, and historical divergence.
Direct Lookalike Comparison
Quick Tell
Germany is horizontal black-red-gold; Belgium is vertical black-yellow-red.
Historical Divergence
German protocol calls the bottom band gold, not yellow. Belgium's middle band is yellow.
Flags with resemblance
Belgium is vertical black-yellow-red at 13:15. Germany is horizontal black-red-gold at 3:5.
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The colors must be described as black-red-gold (never black-red-yellow)
- Must be displayed with the black band at the top
- Federal flags with the shield (Bundesdienstflagge) are for government use only
Practice
Think you know the flags of Europe? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.