Flag of Switzerland

Swiss Confederation

Use	National flag
Proportion	1:1
Variant flag of Swiss Confederation
Use	State and Civil flag
Proportion	2:3

Switzerland’s national flag was adopted on December 12, 1889, which is one of the world’s oldest flags. The Flag of Switzerland is a red field, a white cross whose arms are one-sixth longer than their width. The relationship between the span of the cross and the width of the flag has not been established, but in practice the ratio is about 2:3 or 7:10.

History

• 
  War flag of the Holy Roman Empire (Reichssturmfahne) during the 13th century
• 
  Triangular field ensign used by Swiss confederate forces from ca. the 1420s
• 
  Field ensign used from ca. 1470 and during the early 16th century

The Swiss cross on a red field ultimately derives from a similar banner of the Holy Roman Empire, and thus has strong Christian connotations. The Swiss flag traditionally stands for freedom, honour and fidelity. The motto "Honor et Fidelitas" was inscribed on the cross of several Swiss mercenary flags of the 18th century. In modern times, through association with consistent Swiss policy, the flag has also come to mean neutrality, democracy, peace and refuge.