Flag Records & Fun Facts

Explanation: The Dannebrog (white cross on red background) is said to have fallen from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219, according to legend.

Explanation: Two superimposed triangular pennants. Switzerland and the Vatican are square but remain quadrilaterals. Nepal is the only one with an irregular shape.

Explanation: An AK-47 with bayonet, crossed with a hoe on a book. Symbolizes defense, agriculture and education. Regular debates to remove it.

Explanation: Afghanistan has had about 20 different flags in a century, reflecting monarchy, republic, Soviet invasion, Taliban, and return of the Taliban.

Explanation: Only 2 flags have purple: Nicaragua (rainbow) and Dominica (parrot's breast). Purple was historically the most expensive pigment.

Explanation: Cyprus shows the island map in copper, Kosovo shows its borders in gold. No other national flag includes a map of the country.

Explanation: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu. Several territories too (Bermuda, Cayman Islands...) but they are not sovereign countries.

Explanation: Latvia has a dark red flag with a horizontal white stripe, not a cross. All Scandinavian countries have a cross.

Explanation: In peace, blue is on top. In war, red (courage/blood) goes on top. It is the only national flag with this property.

Explanation: The complex coat of arms of Belize includes over 12 colors: the two woodcutters, mahogany tree, ship and tools create this unique diversity. It is the most detailed national flag in the world.

Explanation: The Silver Fern proposal lost 56.6% to 43.3%. The cost of the referendum: 26 million New Zealand dollars.

Explanation: Under Gaddafi, the solid green flag symbolized the Green Book and Islam. It was the simplest national flag in the world. Replaced after the revolution.

Explanation: Mauritania added two red stripes at the top and bottom in 2017 to honour the blood shed for independence. It is one of the most recent national flag changes in the world.

Explanation: Henry Dunant, Swiss founder of the Red Cross, reversed the colors of the Swiss flag (white cross on red → red cross on white) in 1863.

Explanation: The Nazi flag (swastika) is banned by law in many countries: Germany (§86a StGB), Austria, France, Israel, Brazil, etc. The American Confederate flag is controversial but not formally banned by law in most countries.