Official Palette
Symbolism
The red-carmine color represents the blood shed for independence, while the white stripe represents peace, truth, and right.
History
One of the oldest flags in the world, dating back to the 13th century. It was adopted as the national flag in 1918, banned during the Soviet era, and reinstated in 1990.
Construction
A 1:2 ratio. A horizontal triband of carmine-red, white, and carmine-red. The white band is narrower (1/5th of the height) than the red bands (2/5ths each).
Color Meanings
Country Facts
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- February 27, 1990
- Proportions
1:2
- Total Colors
- 2
- 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
Latvia is carmine with a narrow white stripe; Austria's three bands are equal.
Historical Divergence
Latvia's white band is 1/5 of the height. Austria's red-white-red bands are equal thirds.
Flags with resemblance
Both are red-white-red. Austria uses equal bands at 2:3; Latvia is carmine with a white band only one fifth of the height, at 1:2.
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The white stripe must be exactly 1/5th of the total height
- Must be treated with the utmost reverence as one of the world's oldest flags
Practice
Think you know the flags of Europe? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.